Urgent Need for an Environmental Health Regulatory Body in India

• India’s environmental and public health journey is at a critical juncture, with over 6% more greenhouse gas emissions than the previous year.

• The 2024 Conference of Parties (COP 29) concludes, and India is pushing for climate mitigation financing from developed nations.

• The country’s rapid economic growth and interdependencies between climate, environment, health, and economy are undeniable, but capacities to address these issues holistically are limited.

• An environmental health regulatory agency (EHRA) could lead to comprehensive environmental governance focusing on pollution control and health risk mitigation.

• An EHRA could integrate environmental and health data, allowing policymakers to track, regulate, and mitigate these impacts effectively.

• An EHRA could promote sustainable practices, drive innovation, create green jobs, and support long-term financial resilience.

• An EHRA could help India meet its commitments to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.