CLIMATE change knows no borders. Hence, much of the world is striving to control the rapidly rising global temperatures through a multilateral effort. While multilateralism is important for tackling this danger to humanity and the planet, the need for strengthening bilateral climate cooperation, especially for states with a common border, to fight global warming and its effects cannot be overstated. It made eminent sense, therefore, when, on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called for initiating climate diplomacy with India to mitigate the impact of air pollution and smog in the province. “Both Indian and Pakistani Punjab should undertake joint efforts to combat smog,” she said at a climate leadership event in Lahore. Given the current political tensions between Pakistan and India, the plan to forge a climate alliance appears difficult, if not impossible. Yet, if those who understand the gravity of climate change on both sides emphasise joint action, it could help the two countries, especially India, realise the necessity of joining forces to fight a common enemy. After all, the quality of air in Amritsar and New Delhi is as poor as in Lahore, if not worse. That Delhi is often competing with Lahore for the top position on the list of cities with the most polluted and hazardous air is well known. Collaboration between the two countries is important not only for devising a common strategy to combat climate change in a coordinated manner, but also for strongly advocating the case of South Asia’s shared challenges at global forums.

That said, the provincial government should not merely see one side of the picture and only blame stubble burning on the other side for the declining quality of air here. Many researchers are of the view that while the burning of stubble and coal in Indian Punjab is contributing to smog in Lahore and its adjoining areas, a key factor is the increasing vehicular emissions and toxic fuels used by undocumented steel and other factories around the city. Unless we tackle these two major polluters, no measure will yield cleaner, more breathable air. While it is necessary to push for diplomacy and a collaborative regional approach to tackle the climate problem in South Asia on a sustainable basis, we cannot afford to disregard the negative actions of our own polluters.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024