Sectoral Classification of Sources of Green House Gases in Pakistan
Based on guidelines developed by IPCC, GHGs producing sectors in Pakistan are divided into five sectors i.e. energy, industrial processes, agriculture, land-use change and forestry and waste. Major contributor to CO2 emissions is the energy sector, contributing 81% of total CO2 emissions. The forestry and land use change sector accounted for 7% of CO2 emissions, while industrial processes accounted for 12%. The primary source of CH4 emissions in the Pakistan is agriculture sector responsible for 87% of all CH4 emissions, while emissions from fugitive sources and waste management accounted for the remainder of CH4 emissions.
The 81% of N2O emissions also came from the agriculture sector, with the remaining emissions coming from human sewage and the energy sector. NOx emissions can be attributed almost entirely to the energy sector with the transport sector being the major source (PINCCC, 2003).
Net Carbon Release in Pakistan
On one hand Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing but on the other hand CO2 is naturally consumed by forests, soil/vegetation and oceans. This consumption of CO2 somewhat balances its emission. Pakistan net carbon release is 1780.1 kilotonnes, while estimated annual carbon release and uptake are 13,231.2 and 11,451.0 kilotonnes (PINCCC, 2003).
Improvement in Air QualityThe present levels of air pollution have prompted many cities to undertake measures to improve air quality. These measures include the introduction of lead-free petrol and low-sulphur diesel; the introduction of vehicle emission control standards and a mandatory regular vehicle inspection system; the promotion of cleaner fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for commercial vehicles; the banning and phasing out of certain types of vehicles; restrictions on diesel vehicles; and transport demand management.
Renewable Energy Planning in Pakistan
Despite the development of number of energy policies and plans, the priority accorded to renewable energy in Pakistan remains very low. Whereas acknowledgement of renewable resources as an alternative source of energy has prevailed in most of policy and plan document, little substantive actions has been taken for meaningful development and almost no specific incentives have been offered to encourage the nurturing of full fledged industry based on alternate technologies.
The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (PNCS), which was approved by GOP in 1992, became a component in Eighth Five Year Plan, provided first all encompassing framework for addressing environmental concerns in the country.
A joint effort at both the Government and Private sector level is needed to meet the up coming challenges. The alternate energy sources are indigenous and can contribute to reduce dependency on energy imports. A little true effort to form a long term policy for the promotion of renewable energies requires across the board initiatives encompassing a wide range of policies pertaining to energy, environment, employment, incentives, taxation relief, competitive return on investment, funding for research and development
Current Interventions for Reduction of Greenhouse Gases in Pakistan
Due to increase in GHGs, economy of Pakistan is under stress. There is a need to formulate policies on national level to combat this situation. One option may be the research on the potential of Carbon sequestration in the country. This can be done by taking initiatives for mitigation including planning and deploying available best technologies to reduce the risks. Public and private collaborative research and development for innovative technologies is also the need of the hour.
For example the mitigation measures for energy sector could be the adoption of renewable energy sources i.e., wind power, solar thermal, waste/biomass, and biofuels and use of nuclear energy by taking safety considerations into account. Emissions from old power plants can be reduced by switching from coal to natural gas. Emission form non-energy sectors can be reduced by promotion of recycling, reuse of waste, limited use of waste incinerators and promotion of plantation to act as sinks.
Similarly, agro-industrial residues can be used for anaerobic conversion into biogas as a good substitute of fossil fuel in power generation. Apart from reduction in Carbon dioxide emission use of agro-industrial residues for biogas production and can also reduce methane emissions by treating the residues in controlled anaerobic system. Injection of CO2 for the enhanced recovery of oils is also being employed by various countries
Fuel Efficiency in Road Transport Sector
ENERCON initiated Fuel Efficiency in Road Transport Sector (FERTS) project to reduce the source emissions of GHGs from the vehicles by improving the fuel consumption efficiency. Vehicle engine tune-up technologies have also been promoted in the country under this initiative.
National Awareness campaign on Energy and Environment Conservation
The project is aimed to promote national energy use in the country by creating awareness on the benefits of efficient use of energy in the country among masses. Different activities have been introduced for promotion of conservation of energy in various sectors of society leading to reduction of emissions of GHGs.
Wind Project
Pakistan’s coastal belt and deserts are blessed with potential of wind energy. The available wind corridor in Pakistan is 60 km wide and 180 km long and has the exploitable potential of 50,000 MW of electricity. Windmills have been installed in the some rural locations in Pakistan on experimental basis for generation of electricity on the micro scale.
Solar Home Systems
Government has approved the installation of solar home systems in Balochistan and Sindh after successful experimental use of solar photovoltaic cell for conversion of solar energy to electricity for lighting, solar concentration cooking and solar water disinfector in the remote areas of the country.
Biomass/Waste to Energy Project
AEDB has conducted the pilot studies of biogas for municipal solid waste and waste water to generate electricity. On the basis of pilot studies it intends to install large scale biogas plant for energy generation in the world with collaboration of New Zealand Aid (NZAID).
Biofuel
Pakistan is an agricultural country and there is an option to generate fuels from organic sources like ethanol waste oils and oil seeds. AEDB has conducted pilot projects for biodiesel production plant installations in Sindh for electrification of villages and use of ethanol as transport fuel.
Conclusion
Pakistan is not expected to be a major player in global warming, although its energy based emissions are a major source of pollution and environmental damage within the country. On the other hand, Pakistan is vulnerable to the consequences of climate change & our thoughts and awareness shape the world. Anger, fear, separation and greed are the thoughts that hold sway in our modern world, this is what allows us to exploit the natural world with no thought for the future, this is what allows us to oppress and exploit other people through our lifestyle.
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