Coinciding with the 50th anniversary ofEarth Day, this report investigates the impact COVID-19 lockdowns have had on global particulate pollution levels.As lockdowns were implemented in response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the dramatic changes brought about by these restrictions have been described as the ‘largest scale experiment ever’

Air pollution constitutes the most pressing environmental health risk facing our global population. It is estimated to contribute toward 7 million premature deaths a year, while 92% of the world’s population are estimated to breathe toxic air quality (WHO, 2016). In less developed countries, 98% of children under five breathe toxic air.

India’s national capital region (NCR) emerged as the most polluted region in the world in 2018, according to this new report. Gurugram is the worst affected followed by Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida are amongst the top six most worst-affected cities.