A system includes a catalyst for receiving and treating exhaust gas generated by an engine, a passive NOx adsorber (PNA) positioned upstream of the catalyst, a bypass valve positioned upstream of the catalyst and the PNA, and a controller. The controller is configured to, determine that the catalyst is operating under cold start conditions, control the bypass valve to direct exhaust gas to the PNA, determine that the catalyst is no longer operating under cold start conditions and continue to control the bypass valve to direct exhaust gas to the PNA for a predetermined duration, and after the elapse of the predetermined duration, control the bypass valve to direct exhaust gas to the catalyst bypassing the PNA. The controller is also configured to detect a high transient torque demand while the exhaust gas is provided to the PNA, and split the torque demand between the engine and an electric motor.