It is hard to implement a policy which is good for both environment and economy. But Delhi has achieved just that.

In a review of the best environmental and economic policies in the world’s biggest economies, Delhi’s move to CNG is right up there. The Capital has reduced CO2 emissions by as much as 72 per cent through the switch in the past eight years.

Delhi’s shift to CNG is one of the top 12 best policies (and their implementation) in the world (see box), as per an international study commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and E3G.

The study took a look at policies that are environmentally helpful and make economic sense in G20 countries and some other large economies.

Through the switch to CNG between 2000 and 2008, carbon dioxide emissions have come down by 72 per cent. Sulphur dioxide levels have reduced by 57 per cent in the same period, the report points out, due to 3,500 CNG buses, 12,000 taxis, 65,000 auto-rickshaws and 5,000 mini-buses running in the city.

Apart from positive impacts on health, the economic impact of the policy has also been sound, the report finds: employment has gone up thanks to the new industry created by CNG, with manufacturing and servicing of CNG kits.

The new Bus Rapid Transit system, which will also run on CNG, is seen as an ‘additional low-emission infrastructure’.

Delhi’s model — in which the government gave direct subsidies to the Transport Department for the shift to CNG and tax benefits to private operators -- should be emulated by other countries, especially those like Bangladesh which have rich gas reserves, the report recommends.

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