LocationsArun Kumar Yadav and Shubham Tandon, UNDP
Mapping the Invisible: Understanding Air Pollution Through Citizen Science
June 6, 2025
For Ujjwal, a university student from Gurugram, Haryana, becoming a citizen scientist in UNDP’s hyperlocal air quality initiative felt like a dream. Equipped with a low-cost handheld device, she began collecting air quality data on her daily walk to the university. As the readings came in, she was surprised to see how everyday activities, like garbage burning on a street corner or someone smoking, caused sudden spikes in pollution levels. These real-time insights opened her eyes to the hidden impact of routine behaviors on community health. Motivated by her findings, Ujjwal started sharing her observations with peers, raising awareness about local pollution sources and encouraging small actions to reduce them. Her journey highlights how citizen science can empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward cleaner, healthier neighborhoods through the power of data and awareness.
In the broader context, such citizen-centric and localized efforts to combat air pollution play a crucial role in ensuring community health and well-being. Globally, nearly 99% of the population breathes polluted air, with the Indian subcontinent among the hardest-hit regions, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The consequences of air pollution are severe, linked to stroke, heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and premature death. WHO estimates attribute 6.7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution, making it the leading environmental risk to global health.
The Need for Change
UNDP India’s Investment Case Analysis, with the support of the European Commission, revealed that the health and economic burden of air pollution in Gurgaon is as high as 610 INR per capita. Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, only 1% of international development aid is allocated to clean air interventions. This is where innovative projects like the Hyperlocal Mapping of Air Pollution and GHG Emissions come into play.
UNDP India with the support of LACUNA FUND created a hyperlocal dataset focused on targeted point sources of pollution in two of India's most polluted cities: Patna and Gurgaon. By harnessing the power of citizen science and societal intelligence, we gathered critical data that can potentially inform policy decisions and drive effective pollution-reduction strategies.
Citizen Science: Empowering Communities
At the heart of this project is the involvement of citizen scientists—trained individuals who collected air quality data using low-cost sensors. Armed with a specially designed mobile application called "VAYU," these citizen scientists navigated the cities, capturing real-time air quality data and documenting pollution sources through photographs. The collected data, comprising over 1 million data points, aid in creating use-case scenarios for various interventions. This is enabling the effectiveness of these interventions, implemented by authorities at the hyperlocal level, to be evaluated. This grassroots approach not only empowered communities but also fostered a sense of ownership in the fight against air pollution.
Technology for Cleaner Air: The Heart of UNDP’s VAYU Innovation:
The integration of cutting-edge technologies is crucial for effective air quality management. Satellite-based monitoring systems and advanced air quality sensors provide accurate and timely emissions data, which can be used to inform policy decisions. The VAYU platform, developed by UNDP, functions as an open digital framework for air pollution management, delivering real-time hyperlocal data and collaborating with state pollution control boards and urban local bodies to identify pollution hotspots within cities. The collected air quality data is processed using advanced data modeling techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. Developed models help in identifying pollution patterns and both point and non-point emission sources, providing real-time alerts that enable authorities to take targeted actions to mitigate air pollution. The platform features interactive dashboards that anyone—from policymakers to local residents—can use to explore air quality trends. With tools that visualize daily air quality indices, estimate traffic impact, and even forecast pollution levels days in advance, VAYU transforms complex data into accessible insights. This innovative approach allows for a more granular understanding of air pollution and predict air quality for coming days to enabling stakeholders to take informed actions.
A Path Forward
The Hyperlocal Mapping of Air Pollution and GHG Emissions project represents a significant step toward addressing the air quality crisis in India. By leveraging citizen scientists, IoT-based sensor data, and advanced data analytics, we can identify high-emission zones, predict air quality and develop targeted solutions to reduce emissions.
As we move forward, government agencies, civil society, and the private sector need to collaborate and take action. The data collected through this project will not only inform policy decisions but also empower communities to advocate for cleaner air.
Together, we can breathe easier and work toward a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Together, we can make a difference—one breath at a time.
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