Air is the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds Earth. Air contains important substances, such as oxygen and nitrogen, that most species, including human beings (Homo sapiens), need to survive.

Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere – (WHO).

The degree to which the air in a particular place is pollution-free is called Air quality. Air quality refers to the degree to which the air is suitable or clean enough for humans or the environment. Good air quality means the air is free of harmful substances.

Various studies and WHO data show that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.

The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.

Air pollution accounts for an estimated 12.5 percent of deaths in India. The State of India’s Environmental Report found that it also kills around 100,000 children less than five years old every year. Major Indian cities are listed amongst the top 20 polluted cities of the world including the national capital, Delhi. The personal and political differences between Union Government and State government could be making things worse. Dealing with a problem of this magnitude requires high levels of organization and crucial coordination across state lines.

Deteriorating Air Quality is a topic of big concern and has derived the attention of global leaders and corporates.

Air pollution is the second leading cause of noncommunicable diseases, such as asthma, stroke, pulmonary illnesses, cancer, and heart disease, which are on the rise worldwide. In many countries, such diseases can only be significantly reduced by improving air quality.

Major contributors to Air pollution are:

Moving Vehicles (PM2.5, CO, NOx, SO2, HC and NH3).
Toxic gases from Industries (Smoke and Smog)
Power Plants and Infra development.
Indoor Household combustion.

Greenhouse gas emissions will continue to increase without critical steps

The world remains woefully off track in meeting the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to well below 2°C - ideally 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and reaching net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally by 2050.

Achieving this target will require cutting global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels, and reach global net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached new highs in 2020, with globally averaged mole fractions of CO2 exceeding 410 parts per million.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced human activities in 2020, leading to a temporary fall in CO2 emissions. Developed countries saw the steepest declines, averaging drops of almost 10 per cent, while emissions from developing countries fell by 4 percent relative to 2019. Despite the temporary reduction in emissions overall in 2020, real-time data from specific locations, including Mauna Loa, United States, and Cape Grim, Tasmania, indicate that concentration levels of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide continued to increase in 2020.

By December 2020, emissions had fully rebounded and registered 2 per cent higher than the same month in 2019. As the world recovers from the pandemic, emissions are expected to rise further unless critical steps are taken to shift economies towards carbon neutrality.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide, 1959–2020 (parts per million)

Monthly evolution of global CO2 emissions, 2020 relative to 2019 (percentage)

Air Pollution & Transport Sector

We have a lot to focus on to cut the global CO2 emission by 45 percent in less than a decade and to net-zero in less than 30 years. Limiting global warming to well below 2°C - ideally 1.5°C will require an action plan to cut down CO2 emissions from all emitters i.e. roads to industries, and household combustion devices to forest fires.

A few facts about the transport sector in India and the world:

India is the fifth-largest global car manufacturer with one of the highest compound annual growth rates (10%) of vehicle registration as of 2019.
Vehicular emission contributes 20-50% of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 at the breathing level of air quality.
According to studies, vehicles annually contribute about 290 gigagrams (Gg) of PM2.5.
CO2 emissions are attributed to the transport sector at 15-25% of the global, Passenger vehicles are the largest chunk of this, releasing about 45% of CO2.
Around 8% of total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in India are from the transport sector, and in Delhi, it exceeds 30%.
If the conditions prevail, annual GHG emissions in 2050 will be 90% higher than those of 2020.
In New Delhi vehicles emerged as the major reason for air pollution and poor air quality, a study by thinktank CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) found that vehicles contributed more than 50% of Delhi's pollution during early winters in 2021.

At A2P Resources we believe that every living being has right to Clean Air and we all, together should do our best protect our environment and mother planet. Therefore to ensure the quality of Air A2P resources come up with specially designed and innovative programs to measure the realtime emissions from vehicle fleet and understand the impact of emissions on the Air Quality, the Environment through our R.E.A.R. (Realtime Emissions of Automobiles on Roads) Program.

R.E.A.R.

What is R.E.A.R. ?

R.E.A.R. (Realtime Emissions of Automobiles on Roads) is a specially tailored, flexible and dynamic vehicle exhaust emissions measurement, Monitoring, and analyzing program of A2P Resources. R.E.A.R. uses compact, dynamic, and high end technology to Measure, Monitor, and Analyze the real-time and real-world exhaust emissions from all categories of vehicles running on fossil fuels. Our specially designed programs and technology help to identify “Low Emitting & High Emitting Vehicles”, “Low Emission & High Emission Zones”, “Emissions Based on Fuel Category”, “Emissions Based on Age Group” and “Emissions Based on Implemented Standards Like BS IV, and BS VI”.

Goals of R.E.A.R.

Through R.E.A.R. we look forward to work with Governments, Policy Makers, Manufacturers, and the People to achieve the goals of clean Air and safer roads. Together we work to develop flexible and effective programs and technologies to Measure, Monitor, and Analyze the exhaust emissions from fossil fuel based vehicles. Also, we advise and provide consultation on future policy making to control and Curb the impacts of vehicle exhaust emissions on Air Quality and the Environment and making the automobile fleet more and more environmentally friendly so that we can pave the roads to a Green, Clean, Smart, and Sustainable tomorrow.

Why do we need R.E.A.R.?

R.E.A.R. is the need of the hour as the clock of global warming is ticking every second and we are no longer unaware of the adverse effects of global warming. The rising sea level, severe droughts, tornadoes, shrinking water bodies and dropping underground water levels, and drastic changes in climate around the world are alarming. Measuring the realtime emissions from automobiles or vehicle fleet is very important as they contribute a large portion of total Green House Gases (GHGs) released into our atmosphere and the CO, HC, NOX, PM, and NH3 contribution of automobiles in developing and middle income economies is alarming.

In many countries (like India), vehicles undergo emissions testing at the stage of type approval (before introduction into the market) and periodically at an individual vehicle level (post sales). These tests are carried out at authorized PUC (Pollution Under Control) testing centers certified by the government.

However, these (PUC) tests are limited in scope (can monitor only CO and HC) and are performed only when a vehicle is idle or stationary. These tests fail to measure other emissions like NOX, PM, and NH3, the impact of the age of the vehicle, maintenance of vehicle, different fuel type used, engine technology type etc. on emissions from vehicles.

On the other hand, the vehicle manufacturers are smart enough to understand the type of tests that vehicles will go through and they have been successful in developing technologies to defeat the tests and ensure that their vehicles never fails the tests, such technologies or devices are called "Defeat Devices". Many such defeat device technologies had been used by leading automobile manufacturers to fool the authorities and play awfully with humankind.

Brief of R.E.A.R. activities:

Site selection and pre-feasibility study of the sites. Securing site permits and access to vehicle registry.
Deployment of Measuring and Analyzing Technology on site for collection of real-time exhaust Emissions.
Collecting real-time Exhaust Emission data of moving Vehicles (majorly CO, NOx, HC, PM, and NH3).
Analysis of the collected data on Local and International Standards.
Preparing report from data analysis.
Identifying Low and High-emitting vehicle categories and zones.
Advising on future policy-making and action plans to control and curb the impacts on Air Quality and the Environment.

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