UNAccc has stressed the need for greater environmental accountability after reviewing Delhi’s air pollution and Indore’s water crisis. Chaired by Dr. Rajat Sharma, the emergency meeting highlighted decades of regulatory gaps and infrastructure stress. Experts warned that without public participation and strong governance, environmental degradation will worsen. UNAccc urged a shift toward sustainable development models prioritizing health and resilience.
New Delhi | January 7, 2026:
An emergency late-night meeting convened by the Unity of Nations Action for Climate Change Council (UNAccc) has highlighted the growing urgency of India’s environmental challenges, with sharp focus on Delhi’s decades-long air pollution problem and the recent drinking water contamination in Indore.
The meeting brought together senior policymakers and security officials, including: Shrikrant Panigrahi, Co-founder, UNAccc, DG IISD; Ajay Mishra, (fmr. Spl Chief Secretary – Telangana and National Chairman, UNAccc); Rahul Sur, Senior IPS Officer and UN Peacekeeping Force veteran, Director – UNAccc; Anil Pratham, Former DGP and Executive Director, UNAccc; and Gauri Advani, Chairperson, UNAccc UK.
Chaired by UNAccc Founder Dr. Rajat Sharma, the meeting reviewed data indicating that Delhi’s air quality has remained critically poor for more than 40 years. Experts pointed out that PM2.5 concentrations reached 153 µg/m³ in 2013 and 114 µg/m³ in 2020, levels many times higher than global health safety standards. The discussion emphasized that rising particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels since the 1980s have made air pollution a persistent public health threat in the national capital.
Indore Incident Sparks Concern Over Urban Water Safety
The forum also examined the Indore water contamination incident, where bacterial pollution in the municipal supply reportedly affected over 1,100 residents. Participants expressed concern over the vulnerability of urban water systems and stressed the need for stronger surveillance, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency response mechanisms to ensure safe drinking water.
UNAccc Calls for Policy Reform and Collaborative Action
Dr. Sharma underscored that the twin crises of air and water pollution reflect deeper systemic challenges. He called for coordinated action involving governments, environmental experts, industry leaders, and civil society, stating that environmental protection must remain central to sustainable urban development.
“Environmental degradation directly impacts human health and economic productivity. Long-term solutions require commitment beyond short-term measures,” he said.
Senior Leaders in Attendance
The meeting brought together senior policymakers and security officials, including:
Shrikrant Panigrahi, Co-founder, UNAccc, DG IISD,
Ajay Mishra, ( fmr. Spl Chief Secretary -Telangana and National Chairman, UNAccc
Rahul Sur, Senior IPS Officer and UN Peacekeeping Force veteran, Director -UNAccc ,
Anil Pratham, Former DGP and Executive Director, UNAccc
Gauri Advani, Chairperson, UNAccc UK
Strategic Interventions Underway
UNAccc highlighted its ongoing work in climate resilience and environmental sustainability, focusing on:
Strengthening water security planning through data-driven risk assessment tools
Advancing renewable energy adoption and clean power policies
Encouraging electric mobility and ESG-aligned urban transport models
Supporting low-carbon development pathways and climate finance initiatives
The meeting also reviewed current mitigation efforts in Delhi, including the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), enhanced public transport systems, crop-residue-based bio-bitumen road technology, and dust-suppression measures across construction sites.
A Warning and a Way Forward
Concluding the discussion, UNAccc emphasized that without sustained policy reform and public participation, India’s environmental challenges will continue to escalate. The council urged authorities to prioritize health, sustainability, and environmental accountability to secure a safer future for coming generations.
