Highlights

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Measures for managing COVID-19 crisis require focusing on complex interconnectedness between nature and the economic system

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Lockdown on economic activities revealed the benefits of reducing air pollution dramatically in India

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Data analysis comparing 5 pollutants in 8 cities over a 27-day lockdown period with the previous year and national standards

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Co-analysing socio-economic drivers and pollution management measures provides policy insights for a sustainable transition

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Current focus on public health is a unique opportunity to integrate air pollution management into plans for economic recovery