Chemistry of Short-Lived-Climate-Forcers in the Indo Gangetic Plains and Himalayas:Implications for hydrological cycle, agriculture and sustainable development in a changing global climate

The Indo Gangnetic plain (IGP) covering Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, (including Himalayan countries, i.e. Bhutan and Nepal) is exposed to one of the most severe regional air pollutions situation on Earth.

It is also, here, effects of air pollution on vegetation, hydrological-cycle and regional climate cause excessive misery to a vulnerable population.

Here the accuracy of ecosystem services and cost-benefit models would be most appreciated due to limited resources available for mitigation action on air pollution and climate change impacting environmental sustainability and climate change resilience development.

Today, Sweden is emphasizing the co-benefit of actions on short lived climate air pollutants such as black carbon (BC), atmospheric brown clouds (ABC) and ozone (O3).

The overall aims of this project are to understand the presence, comprehensive chemistry, environmental effects and variability of the short-lived climate forcers including BC , molecular constituents of ABC and Ozone by measurements combined with intensive campaigns, laboratory works and modelling over three years to elucidate the relevant processes involved in the IGP and Himalayan regions using state-of-the-art facilities in Sweden and India and our extensive collaboration across the globe.

In addition to improve modeling tools, the project will ultimately pave the way to formulate life-improving environmental policies to reduce poverty and meet global SDGs.