he annual climate conference is often portrayed as a forum for uneasy alliances, where arch enemies with deep-rooted political differences set aside decades of tension to come together for the common purpose of climate action. In this rare convergence, nations that are otherwise divided by historical grievances and geopolitical disputes sit across the table, united by the shared urgency to tackle a crisis that recognises no borders. With COP29, the world is once again watching if this unity can translate into meaningful actions.

In South Asia, where the realities of climate change are acutely felt, the need for such collaboration is pressing. The worsening air quality, particularly the smog choking the Punjab region in India and Pakistan, is a stark reminder that the climate crisis is a problem that transcends borders. So must its solutions.

Governments on both sides of the border have tried to tackle the problem. The Punjab government in Pakistan has introduced a spate of administrative measures to combat Lahore’s smog. The interventions include the Low Sulphur Fuel Initiative to reduce emissions from vehicles and industries and the Punjab Environmental Protection (Smog Prevention and Control) Rules, 2023 to enforce stricter emission standards on industrial units and brick kilns. The Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with monitoring and enforcing these regulations. Annual bans on open burning of crop residues and solid waste, along with public awareness campaigns promoting pollution-reducing practices, are also central to the plan. Investments in public transport and collaboration with industries to adopt cleaner technologies are aimed at reducing air pollution in the long term.

The Punjab government in India too has a strategy to combat winter smog. It focuses on emission controls, monitoring and public engagement. Key measures in this regard include the Punjab Environmental Protection (Smog Prevention and Control) Rules, 2023 and a Zero-Tolerance Policy for polluting vehicles and industries. Enhanced enforcement through Safe City cameras and drones allows real-time air quality monitoring and targeted surveys in high-pollution areas, with drones identifying key pollution sources such as industrial emissions and crop residue burning. Initiatives like the E-Mass Transport System with electric buses, subsidies for farmers to discourage crop burning, plastic waste management, tree planting and public awareness campaigns aim to improve air quality and reduce pollution sources, demonstrating a modern, data-driven approach to environmental management.

To effectively address the persistent smog crisis, a robust, multi-faceted strategy grounded in diplomacy, technology and sustainable policy frameworks is essential. At the heart of this approach lies the potential for collaborative leadership, where the mayors of the Punjab cities in India and Pakistan might foster a unified response. By identifying shared challenges and synergising efforts, this partnership could create a cohesive, localised framework to mitigate smog through regionally appropriate solutions.

Formal agreements and regional accords can establish commitments to exchange critical data on pollution sources and health impacts. This cooperation could be extended through joint research initiatives involving academic, governmental and environmental organisations to study the specific causes and effective mitigation of smog, including technology exchanges, such as Happy Seeder for fire-free stubble management or clean cooking solutions to address indoor air pollution.

In tandem with these efforts, enhancing National Clean Air Policies is essential for both countries. Incorporating stricter emissions standards, promoting low-emission technologies and strengthening enforcement in industrial and vehicular sectors would align their policies with global climate standards. Public awareness campaigns can be launched jointly to highlight the health risks of smog and encourage community engagement, further uniting public and private stakeholders in a shared cause.

To underscore their commitment, the two nations could seek climate finance from the Global North, presenting this cooperative model as a prototype for effective regional climate action. Such a model could set the stage for international support. Such a collaboration can not only address the urgent air quality crisis but also strengthens diplomatic relations, creating pathways for broader environmental cooperation and access to much-needed climate finance.

Diplomacy, however, is essential. The smog crisis offers a rare opportunity for the neighbouring countries to engage in climate diplomacy. The subnational approach bringing together the mayors from Indian and Pakistani Punjabs could be the starting point for more ground-level action. These regional leaders share a vested interest in finding practical solutions to air pollution.

Local authorities can engage in dialogue over shared environmental concerns even while national governments struggle to reconcile broader issues. Such sub-national diplomacy can pave the way for collaboration on monitoring air quality, improving agricultural practices and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Initiatives like coordinated burn bans or joint early-warning systems for hazardous air quality could alleviate the worst impacts of smog.

With COP29, the world’s attention will be on global agreements and ambitious pledges. But the smog crisis in South Asia is a stark reminder that action is needed at every level: local, national and international. The challenge is not just to make commitments, but also to transform these into policies that save lives. There is no better place than COP29 for India and Pakistan to embrace this challenge. The air we share can be a reason for cooperation.

The writer leads the Pakistan Industrial Decarbonisation Programme at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. She can be reached at Saleha@sdpi.org