Pema Gyamtsho, director general of Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), shared his views with Porimol Palma of The Daily Star on the challenges and potential solutions to air pollution during a workshop in Nepal in late November.

According to a Lancet report this year, Bangladesh recorded 225,000 deaths linked to air pollution in 2022. The situation is similar in other South Asian countries. Could you tell us more about this?

We cannot attribute all deaths directly to air pollution because it is not like someone shooting another person. Air pollution kills gradually, often in combination with other factors. However, it is one of the leading causes of mortality, including premature deaths. In South Asia—one of the most polluted regions in the world—air pollution is a major cause of premature deaths and illnesses such as tuberculosis, cancer, and more. It also impacts quality of life; people with respiratory diseases suffer constantly. Statistics from Nepal indicate that air pollution reduces the average life expectancy by three to four years. This is likely true for many countries in the region.

Air pollution also creates social and psychological impacts—schools close, children remain indoors, flights are disrupted, tourism declines, and businesses sometimes shut down because people cannot go outside. Seasonal pollution from wildfires and the burning of crop residue can be severe and cause major economic damage. Pollution also harms agriculture; plants covered in dust or black carbon cannot photosynthesise properly.

What are the main causes of air pollution in this region?

At the household level, many families still lack access to clean cooking energy. They burn firewood, biomass, or even dried dung, especially at high altitudes. Indoor cooking is a major problem, with many remote homes having poor ventilation. In urban centres such as Kathmandu, Delhi, Dhaka, and Karachi, the transport sector is a significant contributor, particularly through fossil fuel use. Industries, including brick kilns and cement factories, emit large quantities of fine particulate matter like PM2.5. Workers in these sectors are among the most vulnerable. Wildfires, whether deliberate or accidental, particularly in March and April, also significantly degrade air quality. These are some of the principal causes.

Many of these factors are related to the economy. We cannot shut down industries or transport immediately. Where can we begin?

It's true, we cannot halt these overnight, but we must find ways to address them. Some issues are behavioural. For example, people still burn rubbish even when waste collection services are available. These practices can be changed. There is a significant shift towards electric vehicles, but we need to go further. Cities like Kathmandu and Dhaka should prioritise developing public transport systems, such as electric buses or trams. Individual electric vehicles alone will eventually congest roads. Countries like Nepal and Bhutan have abundant hydropower and should invest in clean, mass transit options. Electricity is available for clean cooking, but cost remains a challenge for poor households. Governments must prioritise subsidising clean cooking technologies; many still rely on kerosene or other fossil fuels. Public transport subsidies, cleaner industrial technologies, and affordable solutions are vital. Technology exists—in Nepal and Pakistan, brick kilns have successfully been converted to ZigZag technology, reducing black carbon emissions by around 60 percent and carbon dioxide by about 50 percent. Bangladesh is also promoting this. We need to expand these initiatives.

Pollution is transboundary. For example, polluted air blows from Punjab and Lahore into Bangladesh. How should we address this?

Many pollution sources are not local; emissions drift across borders. We need an airshed approach, similar to a watershed approach. An airshed is the shared airspace linking emission sources to their final sinks across regions. That's why we are working across the Indo-Gangetic plains, Himalayas, and foothills, bringing together Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan for real-time data sharing. We need standardised monitoring, measurement, and modelling systems so that data collected in Kathmandu can be understood in Bhutan or Bangladesh. Our monitoring working group, starting in 2022, is developing this capacity.

What progress have you made over the past two years?

We have made significant progress. The first step was recognising that air pollution requires a regional, transboundary approach because air does not respect borders. In December 2022, we held a stock-taking conference with reports from all countries and developed the Kathmandu Roadmap for Air Quality Improvement, supported by the World Bank and other partners, such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). We identified key stakeholders and shared best practices. In 2023, in Thimphu, Bhutan, we held the second science and policy dialogue, involving banks and the private sector. One key recommendation was to include finance in the strategy. Now, we have a science, policy, and finance dialogue, and three thematic working groups focused on monitoring, solutions, and investment. We are also planning a fourth group on communication to connect all stakeholders.

Cooperation at the regional level often faces fragmentation. How do you see this cooperation evolving?

We must be opportunistic. Air quality is one of the least politically contentious issues in the region. Everyone recognises its profound impact on health, environment, climate, and economy. This consensus provides a strong foundation for cooperation. Scientists are already collaborating, and policy officials are engaging as well. The next step is political commitment, but progress is steady.

What is your key message for politicians?

Air pollution does not discriminate; it impacts everyone. It's a critical issue that must be tackled collectively. Strengthening regional cooperation is essential.

What role can developed countries play?

First, we must help ourselves. If developed countries see us taking action, they are more likely to support us. Waiting passively for aid won't lead anywhere. Countries like India and China are investing heavily in renewable energy and electric mobility. Nepal has one of the highest per-capita electric vehicle use, and Bhutan and Nepal are rich in hydropower. These examples reflect commitment. Historically, developed nations have moved many polluting industries to our region, cleaning up their own backyards. Now, they need to support us in cleaning ours. This isn't begging—it's justified. Their support should focus on technology transfer, affordable clean technologies, targeted investments linked to emission reductions, and measurable outcomes. We must demonstrate our own commitment and provide evidence of progress.

You emphasise communication. How can the media contribute?

We want the media to be a key partner. Scientific data needs to be translated into policy, practice, and public awareness. Journalists can communicate in local languages and accessible formats. The media should act as a bridge between science, policy, and communities. That's why I propose including communication as a key pillar in the dialogue on air pollution.