Concentrated in Punjab, Pakistan’s smog problem has started to spread its tendrils nationwide, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa capital Peshawar and Islamabad also recording toxic levels of air quality this year.
As the country attempts to tackle the threat with piecemeal measures such as school closures and restrictions on outdoor activities, it is time for authorities to examine long-term measures tackling the root of the problem. Here’s how three other countries—the United States, China and Mexico—overcame their own smog problem.
Regulatory measures
A key commonality in how China, the United States, and Mexico tackled their respective smog problem was their reliance on regulatory frameworks to enforce air quality standards. These laws and regulations established the foundation for systematic action against smog:
In China, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (2013) and subsequent policies laid out strict air quality targets and mandated significant reductions in pollutants like PM2.5. Enforcement came through stringent factory inspections, penalties for violations, and the closure of non-compliant industries. Similarly, the Clean Air Act of 1970 in the United States empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate emissions and set air quality standards. Amendments to the Act have enhanced its scope, incorporating updated scientific data to ensure continuous progress.
Mexico’s government, meanwhile, enacted policies such as “no car” days to manage vehicular emissions and implemented emission verification programs. Regulatory frameworks set standards for vehicle emissions and required factories to adopt pollution controls.
Technological advancements
All three countries relied on technological innovation to tackle air pollution, investing in cleaner technologies and the modernization of infrastructure. China required its factories to adopt new technologies to meet emission standards, encouraging the use of more efficient machinery and pollution control systems. Similarly, the U.S. invested in pollution-reducing technologies, such as scrubbers in power plants and low-emission industrial processes.
For vehicular emissions, a major contributor in Pakistan, all three countries adopted regulations pushing for advancements in automotive technologies. The U.S. pursued widespread adoption of catalytic converters and more stringent fuel efficiency standards, while China introduced strict vehicle emission norms, comparable to European standards, and promoted electric vehicles. Mexico has also implemented vehicle inspection programs to phase out older, more polluting cars and fostered the use of cleaner fuels.
Promoting renewable energy
The U.S., China and Mexico have all sought to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in a bid to cut emissions at their source. China has become a global leader in solar and wind power production, reducing its coal consumption, historically a major source of air pollution. The U.S. has similarly diversified its energy portfolio by integrating natural gas and renewables into its power grid, facilitating a decline in coal-based power generation. Mexico has also taken steps to increase its use of renewables, investing in wind and solar projects.
Public input
Another similarity is the partnership between governments and various stakeholders, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). China is a notable outlier as it relies primarily on government mandates, but its compliance measures have spurred collaboration with industries to implement environmentally friendly practices and adopt advanced technologies.
The U.S. model, meanwhile, leveraged both public regulations and private sector innovation, with automakers and energy companies instrumental in developing cleaner technologies under EPA oversight. Partnerships with NGOs have also helped raise public awareness and influence policy. Mexico has availed public-private partnerships to improve its urban transit and adopt cleaner industrial practices. Civil society organizations play a key role in raising awareness about the health impacts of air pollution.
Public transit
All three countries have implemented measures to limit traffic during high-pollution periods. Mexico’s “no car days” restricted driving based on license plate numbers to reduce congestion and emissions. China has used similar car restriction policies in major cities, particularly during high-smog events.
All three have also invested in public transportation to reduce the number of private vehicles on their roads. Mexico City, for example, expanded its metro and bus rapid transit systems, while cities like Beijing and New York upgraded and extended their public transit networks to provide more sustainable commuting options.
Pakistan’s smog problem isn’t unique. Other countries in the world have dealt with, and successfully resolved, air pollution for decades. Rather than seeking to reinvent the wheel, Pakistan must examine their approach and adopt policies that best serve its ground realities. The time to act is now: sustainably overcoming smog will require years of effort. Avoiding the problem now will only make it worse in the years to come.