India recorded more than 17 lakh deaths in 2022 linked to human-caused PM2.5 air pollution, marking a 38% increase since 2010, according to the 2025 Report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. The study—conducted by 128 experts from 71 academic institutions and UN agencies led by University College London (UCL)—highlights that nearly half of these deaths were associated with fossil fuel use.
The report, published in The Lancet, estimated that 44% (around 7.52 lakh deaths) of the 1.7 million pollution-related fatalities in India were caused by emissions from coal and liquid gas. The authors emphasized that India’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels is imposing a severe toll on public health.
Pollution from petrol used in road transport alone was responsible for approximately 2.69 lakh deaths in 2022. The overall economic impact of premature deaths from outdoor air pollution was estimated at USD 339.4 billion, roughly 9.5% of India’s GDP for that year.
Released ahead of the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30), the report provides one of the most comprehensive analyses of how climate change and fossil fuel dependence are endangering health and livelihoods in India.
Despite growing awareness, India’s energy mix remains dominated by fossil fuels. In 2022, coal accounted for 46% of the total energy supply and 75% of electricity generation, while renewables contributed just 2% and 10%, respectively. Road transport relied on fossil fuels for 96% of its energy, with electricity making up a mere 0.3%.
The analysis also showed a 2% decline in India’s readiness for a low-carbon transition compared to 2023. Household energy use remains a major contributor to indoor pollution, with 58% of domestic energy derived from solid biofuels, and electricity meeting only 18% of household needs. This led to an estimated 113 deaths per one lakh people from household air pollution—higher in rural regions than in urban ones.
Additionally, forest fires are increasingly worsening air quality. Between 2020 and 2024, PM2.5 pollution from such fires was linked to an average of 10,200 deaths annually, reflecting a 28% rise compared to 2003–2012 levels.
The report underscores an urgent call for accelerated clean energy transition and stronger adaptation measures to mitigate the growing health and economic burden of air pollution in India.
Also Read
