Health emergency: Delhi smog reveals global failure on climate change

The govt had a plan to deal with stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, but it fell apart as the states concerned couldn't agree on a way to distribute the Rs 30 bn in costs

From the beginning of COP23, the issue of loss and damage has cast a shadow over proceedings as developing countries argue for pre-2020 actions to be included. At present, a much more visible gloom hangs over Delhi – air pollution.

Visibility has plummeted, a health emergency has been declared, and schools have been shut down. Various regional governments are quarrelling with each other, and with central government agencies. But the solutions seem elusive.

The problem of Delhi’s air pollution has an obvious – but expensive – fix. Up to 90% of the pollution in northern India is caused by farmers