The Political Economy of Vulnerability to Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Air pollution contributes to an estimated 3-7 million deaths per year globally, and particulate matter (PM) makes the greatest contribution to this international health burden (Lelieveld et al., 2015). While the effects of air pollution on human health are well documented (elevated risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other cardiorespiratory conditions), there is growing evidence that certain socio-economic groups (Avis et al 2018), and occupations (e.g. public transport workers) face disproportionate exposure (Brown et al 2022; Singh et al 2021).

Vulnerability to air pollution can be viewed through the three lenses of exposure, susceptibility and adaptive capacity. In the context of intensifying inequalities in low- and middle-income countries, and increasingly spatially diverse livelihood coping strategies, there is a growing need for social science-led studies that explore in detail the socio-political contexts in which people live and operate, in interaction with particulate matter exposure monitoring, especially amongst marginalised groups. Such studies will offer a comprehensive political economy of air pollution vulnerability, while also understanding the geography of exposure and how these co-create emerging social and spatial inequalities. Given, that Kathmandu is one of the most polluted cities in South Asia, characterised by diverse sub-population groups, it presents an ideal context for further study.

This study will be conducted in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal - aiming to understand the political economy and spatial geography of air pollution exposure amongst different sub-population groups using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data and analysis of data from low-cost portable particulate matter (PM) sensors, through the following questions:
RQ1. How the exposure to air pollution is spatially distributed across the Kathmandu Valley? (EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT)
RQ2. How different livelihoods stratified according to socio-economic status, age and gender are impacted by exposure to air pollution and how does it impact spatial mobility? (SUSCEPTIBILITY IDENTIFICATION)
RQ3. What are the existing adaptive coping mechanisms available that influence vulnerability to air pollution and how are they distributed across different sub-populations in the Kathmandu Valley? (COPING MECHANISM EVALUATION)

The study will employ a mixed-method approach, collecting data through various methods such as in-depth household interviews, stakeholder meetings/workshops, secondary data analysis, and surveys. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the collaborative partner based in Nepal, will facilitate the research activities throughout the fieldwork.

The entire field stay is expected to last nine months. The first three months will be dedicated to desk reviews at ICIMOD. Data collection will span 60 days over two seasons-winter and monsoon. This will involve daily air pollutant monitoring using low-cost sensors, along with individual in-depth interviews with the study participants. Additionally, two workshops or meetings will be held with relevant stakeholders during the field stay to review existing programs and identify existing policy gaps.

This research is imperative in lower-middle-income countries like Nepal to discern how vulnerability may vary within different sub-populations based on factors such as socioeconomic status, occupation, ethnicity, and geographical location. These studies will help to explore the patterns and drivers of environmental inequalities, facilitating the development of tailored policies for the vulnerability of distinct population segments.