Unveiling the Smog Crisis: Solutions Ahead

1. The Cost of Neglecting the Environment

1.1. The extent of Problem
1.2. The Science of Smog
1.3. The Multidimensional Cost of Smog

1.3.1. The Impact of Smog on Health
1.3.2. The Impact of Smog on the Agri-Food System
1.3.3. The Economic Cost of Smog
1.3.4. The Social Costs of Smog

2        Causes of Smog: Sectoral Contributions

2.1. Sectoral Contributions in Punjab2.2. Evolution of Political Settlements
2.2. Sectoral Contributions in Lahore
2.3.The Detailed Sectoral Inquiry

2.3.1. Transport Sector
2.3.2. Agriculture Sector

3. Threats across the Borders: Tackling Transboundary Environmental Injustice
4. Legislation and Implementation: Regulatory Setup

4.1.1. The Role of Key Stakeholders

5. Key Insights Learned Globally in Addressing Smog

5.1. European Union
5.2. United Kingdom
5.3. Australia
5.4. India

6. Conclusions
7. Way Forward: Plummeting Smog Footprint

7.1. Quick Actions Required
7.2. Long Term Priorities

Executive Summary

As air quality temporarily improves outside of the smog season, many in the public and policy circles mistakenly believe that environmental concerns have been resolved. However, as soon as smog returns, both mainstream and social media are flooded with trends and outcries about the failure of the health system to respond effectively. To prevent these recurring inefficiencies in the subsequent smog seasons, it is crucial to take action now.

Smog’s impact on Pakistan is severe and persistent throughout the year, except for the brief monsoon respite in July and August. Major urban centers like Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Faisalabad are particularly affected, with these cities ranking among the top 20 most polluted globally in 2022. The smog problem has escalated intensely, with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines by seven times for nearly 60 percent of the population. This has led to a significant reduction in the average lifespan, with recent findings from the Air Quality Life Index by the University of Chicago revealing a loss of 3.9 years in Pakistan and a staggering 7.5 years for residents of Lahore. Despite this, there has been a lack of serious and timely action to mitigate the hazardous impact of smog on citizens’ health.

This document explored the science behind smog, including its definition, composition, causes, and consequences. It also examined the role of various sectors in smog formation, reviewed policy development and implementation challenges, and proposed a future framework with key priorities for combating the smog crisis in Pakistan.

Conclusions:

• Smog is a critical issue that imposes significant health, social, and economic costs on society.
• The transport sector is the leading contributor to smog in Punjab and Lahore, with the industrial and agricultural sectors also playing major roles.
• Despite the development of legal frameworks, plans, and policies, effective implementation remains a significant challenge.
• Inefficiency in addressing environmental degradation is further exacerbated by a lack of coordination among key stakeholders.
• Despite efforts, Pakistan has yet to fully transition to Euro-5 fuel standards. However, even a complete shift to Euro-5 is unlikely to bring significant improvements in emission reduction. A more impactful solution would be transitioning to Euro-6 standards. Euro-6 fuel significantly lowers harmful emissions from vehicles, making it a crucial step in addressing urban air pollution. Adopting Euro-6, alongside complementary measures like vehicle maintenance and emission testing, could lead to far greater improvements in air quality.
• Pakistan should reassess the roles of federal and provincial governments in addressing smog, particularly regarding fuel standardization. The government must either allow provinces to set fuel prices and standards according to their specific needs or ensure strict adherence to Euro-6 fuel quality nationwide.
• Punjab could benefit from adopting stringent enforcement rules and effective implementation strategies, as seen in other countries.
• The agriculture sector, frequently blamed for contributing to smog, requires a more nuanced understanding of its underlying challenges. While technological solutions are available to reduce crop residue burning, they have not been prioritized.
• The impact of transboundary smog calls for a cooperative regional response, though achieving such collaboration is challenging.
• Punitive measures like fines for emitters or farmers have often been ineffective, highlighting the need for comprehensive and coordinated strategies.
• Global experience shows that combining regulations with a behavioral approach is more effective. Raising public awareness through educational programs and media campaigns is crucial for driving meaningful change.

Way Forward:

Combating smog requires a blend of immediate interventions and long-term strategies to reduce pollution, enhance public awareness, and promote sustainable practices. The approach is divided into two pathways: quick actions and long-term priorities.

Quick Actions:

• Evidence is essential for efficient and effective planning, making it imperative to rapidly install additional air quality monitoring systems. This will provide precise data on pollution levels, aiding in spatial planning and identifying congestion hotspots, which will enhance transport planning initiatives.
• Complete conversion to Euro 6 standards is urgently needed. Further, the government should either empower provinces to set fuel prices and standards based on their specific needs or ensure that the federal government strictly enforces Euro 6 fuel quality nationwide. A digital monitoring mechanism at the local level can be implemented to ensure thorough examination, regulation, and delivery of quality fuel at petrol pumps.
• Promote a cycling culture in the cities. An effective starting point could be to focus on university students, as they can play a pivotal role in embracing and promoting cycling culture within the community.
• Encourage and advocate the use of ride-sharing services like carpooling instead of solo driving and raise awareness about how driving habits can lower vehicle emissions. Further, expand public transportation networks for convenient access to grocery stores and malls.
• The implementation of Miyawaki forests to enhance urban green cover should be expedited. Since forest departments typically do not operate within city limits, this initiative must be prioritized by the provincial government in collaboration with district administrations. Accelerating the adoption of Miyawaki techniques will help improve urban air quality.
• Revising the vacation calendar by extending winter breaks and reducing summer vacations while keeping the total number of school days unchanged. With changing weather patterns, winter vacations should shift to January instead of the end of December. Schools should start earlier and end before the hottest hours during summer. Adjusting vacation schedules can help mitigate the reduction in school days caused by smog, particularly in affected areas like Lahore.
• The government should lead the implementation of school transportation buses, similar to university transportation models. This initiative would significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, easing congestion and lowering emissions and energy demands. Public-private partnerships could accelerate this transition, and an incentive structure should be developed to encourage students at the school and college levels to use school transport.
• Encouraging and prioritizing sustainable agricultural practices by allocating funds toward technological solutions is essential. Investing in machines like the Happy Seeder to manage rice stubble and promoting improved livestock management techniques can significantly reduce environmental impacts. These innovations offer practical alternatives to harmful practices like crop residue burning, while also enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
• Achieving short-term priorities requires a well-coordinated network of all stakeholders, along with sufficient and timely availability of funds. This can be quickly implemented by redirecting more funds toward tackling smog, as public health is a top priority for enhancing the nation’s overall productivity.

Long-Term Priorities:

• Cities have turned into gas chambers due to vehicular emissions. To combat this, a robust and sustainable public transport system is essential. While public transport options do exist, they are currently inadequate to meet the needs of large urban centers. Expanding the system and implementing planned transportation schemes is crucial. However, this must be done within a well-structured and comprehensive framework. Public transportation should also be integrated with city and town planning or master planning to ensure long-term effectiveness and sustainability, without compromising urban development.

Further, Urban areas like DHA should permit and invest in public transport. The metro bus and Orange Line train networks should be expedited following international models, and feeder bus networks should be expanded.

Traffic distribution should be planned by considering air quality or implementing taxes, particularly congestion taxes, which can be an effective measure to curb smog in major urban centers. By imposing higher taxes on vehicles entering densely populated areas, especially during peak hours, authorities can discourage excessive vehicle use, reducing traffic and emissions. Revenue generated from these taxes can be reinvested in public transport and green infrastructure.

The Punjab government should phase out rickshaws due to their high emissions. Although Govt. announced the plan to phase out rickshaws but it should happen practically. Strengthening and digitizing vehicle inspection systems, retiring old vehicles, installing catalytic converters, and adopting the latest Euro Standards for emissions and manufacturing are essential for improving air quality.

• In urban planning, establishing clear boundaries within cities and adhering strictly to master plans is crucial. Categorizing the development of urban areas is essential and should be unwavering without compromise. Emphasizing walkability within cities, which has notably declined, particularly in places like Lahore, is paramount. Prioritizing only essential developments can reduce pollution stemming from multiple construction activities, highlighting the need for a long-term development strategy.
• Shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs) offers a promising long-term solution to combat smog at both urban and national levels. Replacing conventional urban transport with EV buses and encouraging the integration of EV cars for personal use can significantly reduce emissions. However, the successful implementation of EVs requires meticulous planning. While importing EVs or bringing in foreign companies for EV production is a quick step, creating a widespread network of charging stations across the country requires careful estimation and strategic planning. Additionally, assessing the overall energy costs is vital, especially given the rising energy expenses due to the gradual removal of subsidies. Balancing energy demand and affordability will be key to ensuring the viability of this transition.
• Ensuring a regional dialogue takes precedence in all endeavors aimed at addressing transboundary smog concerns. The severity of the smog issue could serve as an opportunity for India and Pakistan to break the deadlock and collaborate on mutual environmental challenges. But the reality is bitter. Politics often strays from justice, swayed by power dynamics. The current right-wing leadership, makes hopes for cooperation, fairness, and justice make it like an unfulfilled dream. However, interference from international environmental organizations and regional economic powers can make this happen.
• Engaging with international support and funding is crucial in addressing the smog problem, particularly in leveraging the potential of carbon credits. Reducing smog in Pakistan offers a valuable opportunity to access carbon credits, which can yield both environmental and economic benefits. By taking significant actions to cut emissions in key sectors like agriculture, industry, and transportation such as curbing crop residue burning, adopting cleaner technologies, and promoting electric vehicles. Pakistan can strategically position itself to earn these credits and attract global support. This could help finance further green initiatives, contribute to improved public health, and foster a sustainable economy.