Sectoral assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has been made to develop inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Pakistan at the national and sectoral level. The emission profile includes carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH), and nitrous oxide (NO). In 2012, GHG emissions from different sectors of economy are estimated at 367 Tg COeq. Out of this, CO emissions were 179 Tg; CH emissions were 107 Tg COeq; and NO emissions were 81 Tg COeq. Energy and agriculture sectors contribute approximately 89% of national GHG emissions. Industrial processes, waste, and land use change and forestry (LUCF) sectors contribute the remaining 11% GHG emissions. A comparison with the 1994 GHG emission inventory of Pakistan shows that GHG emissions in Pakistan from 1994 to 2012 have increased at an annual growth rate of 4.1% and yet anticipated to increase further for meeting the national developmental goals; however, the per capita emissions in Pakistan will remain low when compared with the global average.

A comprehensive review of sectorial contribution towards greenhouse gas emissions and progress in carbon capture and storage in Pakistan

“…Increased industrial operations have increased GHG emissions to an alarming extent and are expected to escalate at a much faster rate, and can be classified as the major cause of CO 2 emissions . In Pakistan, industrial activities added 19.41 Tg CO 2‐ eq of GHG emissions in 2012; mineral products–related industrial processes contributed 18% followed by chemical industry, 17%, and metal production, 3% . Cement manufacturing units are also a major source of GHG emissions such as CO 2 in the atmosphere .…”

“…The cement industry in Pakistan emits 36.3 Mt CO 2 ‐eq of CO 2 annually . CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion in the manufacturing industry stood at 37.86 Tg in 2012; out of this CO 2 quantity, 42% of emissions were caused by coal combustion in various industries, primarily in the cement industry …”

“…Total GHG emissions were accounted at 37.46 Tg CO 2 eq, out of which 37.18 Tg was emitted as CO 2 , 0.19 Tg CO 2 eq as CH 4 and 0.09 Tg CO 2 eq as N 2 O in 2012. The share of road transport stood at nearly 34.44 TgCO 2 eq, with 92% of the total emissions being from the transportation sector while 5%, 2% and 1% were contributed by aviation, railway and navigation industries . It is estimated that emissions will grow from 35.4 Mt CO 2 ‐eq to 80.7 Mt CO 2 ‐eq from 2012 to 2030.…”

“…In Pakistan, the total volume of GHG emissions from the waste sector stood at 10.55 TgCO 2 eq in 2012, of which 8.69 Tg CO 2 eq was as CH 4 and 1.86 Tg CO 2 eq as N 2 O. Municipal wastes are a major cause of CH 4 emissions, and 27% of emissions are caused by the treatment and disposal of industrial waste in Pakistan . According to a survey, 50–69% of waste is not properly picked nor is sent for disposing outside the city landfills.…”

“…Many researchers suggest that urbanization causes increased use of energy, resulting in GHG emissions . Almost 38% of Pakistan's population resides in urban households, whereas it consumes nearly three times the energy as that consumed by the remaining 62% of rural households . Conversion of rural areas into urban hubs leads to acceleration of energy use in various economic sectors, such as housing, food, land use, transportation and electric appliances.…”