Paytm (One97 Communications Limited), India’s leading payments and financial services distribution company and the pioneer of mobile payments, QR codes, and Soundbox, today announced starting of the second phase of Air Quality Action Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), supported by Paytm Foundation. The initiative aims to support India’s clean air mission by fostering collaboration, driving awareness, and enabling scalable, technology-led solutions.

The Second Phase of the Air Quality Action Forum will serve as a centralized platform to share knowledge, best practices, and practical solutions for air quality management. It is designed to empower policymakers, civic agencies, researchers, and communities with access to data-driven tools and public education resources. The initiative also emphasizes citizen engagement and behavioural change as key pillars for long-term impact.

This Phase leverages technology, real-time data, and multi-sector partnerships to enable the implementation of innovative and scalable interventions for improving air quality. It aligns with the broader goal of strengthening the execution of India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), supporting both policy-level planning and on-ground execution.

Announced at the event, Aironomics 2025: Unlocking India’s Blue Skies Economy is a flagship summit anchored by the Bharat Climate Forum and inspired by the vision of the Swadeshi Principles of CIEU with Dalberg and the Council of International Economic Understanding. The summit convenes national and state leaders, experts, and industry stakeholders to promote unified airshed strategies, align cross-agency policies, and scale innovation across sectors such as clean energy, mobility, and waste management, all contributing to a healthier and more resilient economy.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO – Paytm said, “Air pollution affects every one of us — in our homes, on our streets, and in the lives of our children. This initiative is a step towards enabling informed action, where science, technology, and awareness come together to make clean air a shared priority. We value the ongoing efforts by government bodies working to improve air quality and hope this platform can strengthen and support those efforts by encouraging active collaboration and citizen engagement.”

Dr. Balakrishna, Head of UNEP India said, “Tackling air pollution requires united, science-backed action across all levels of society. This collaboration with the Paytm Foundation brings together policy, technology, and grassroots engagement, a combination that is critical to building sustainable air quality solutions. The Second Phase of AQAF will serve as a key driver in India’s efforts to meet its clean air targets and protect the health of its people and environment.”

Paytm Founder & CEO has been named as UN’s environment patron for clean air. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the UN Environment’s global BreatheLife campaign, which aims to raise awareness about urgent social and environmental challenges and address them through collaborative action.