Protecting Pakistan's Environment from Climate Change

Pakistan is a country of immense natural beauty and rich biodiversity. However, the country’s diverse ecosystems are under threat from pollution, deforestation, and climate change which threaten its economic progress, food security and public health. The country’s environment faces a multitude of challenges which include air pollution, water pollution, waste management, deforestation, and climate change. The country has rapid urbanization, industrialization, unchecked population growth, and inadequate environmental regulations.

As per Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Pakistan is the world’s fourth most polluted country. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens the average Pakistani resident’s life expectancy by 3.9 years. Air pollution particularly in urban areas, is of significant concern with cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad have smog and particulate matter posing serious health risks. The main culprits of air pollution are vehicular emissions (around 45%), industrial discharge, and burning of fossil fuels and agricultural waste. The lack of stringent emission standards and flawed enforcement mechanisms intensify the problem, leading to serious health issues and reduced life expectancy.

According to a report of UNICEF, 70% of the water in Pakistan is polluted. The main culprits being industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage. As per reports, the Indus river is the second most polluted river in the world with plastic waste, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens. The water pollution is a threat to both human and aquatic ecosystems. Pakistan has a shortage of clean water for drinking, irrigation, household and industrial use.

Pakistan’s current forest cover is about 4.8% of the total land area, significantly less than the international recommendation of 12%. The country’s deforestation rate is the second highest in Asia mainly due to logging, agricultural expansion, and the demand for firewood. The loss of forests not only contributes to soil erosion, landslides, and loss of biodiversity but also reduces the capacity of ecosystems to sequester carbon, exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Pakistan is one of the top eight countries to be negatively impacted by climate change. Each year it experiences increased frequency of extreme weather events like rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, urban flooding. Pakistan’s glaciers are also melting at an alarming rate which is a concern for catastrophic floods and future water scarcity. All these have affected the livelihood of a common man and also made Pakistan a food insecure country.

Pakistan generates approximately 49.6 million tons of solid waste a year, which has been increasing more than 2.4 percent annually. Sadly, the solid waste generation outpaces the capacity of local governments to manage it. Major cities produce thousands of tons of waste daily, most of which is either improperly burned or disposed in open dumps, releasing harmful pollutants into the air and soil. The lack of recycling infrastructure and public awareness further compound the problem, leading to environmental degradation and health hazards.

The population growth rate of over 2% is a liability. It places pressure on natural resources and the economy. The lack of education, non-existent population control, cultural taboos, antiquated mindset and inadequate health services further complicate matters and places stress on the environment. Agriculture contributes nearly 50% to the country’s economy. However, it is also a major contributor to environmental degradation particularly due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, water-intensive farming, and deforestation for agricultural expansion.

Addressing Pakistan's environmental challenges requires a multifaceted approach by all stakeholders including the government, private sector, civil society, community engagements, and individual responsibility. At the governmental level, at the center and the provinces there is a need to strengthen environmental regulations and ensure strict enforcement mechanisms to curb pollution and protect natural resources. This will essentially include setting and enforcing emission standards for vehicles and industries, regulating the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, and imposing penalties for illegal logging and deforestation. The government will have to invest in monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track environmental violations and take corrective action promptly. The need for data collection, its synthesis and subsequent policy formulation cannot be ignored any further.

Pakistan has to transition to renewable and cleaner energy sources to reduce air pollution and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. The reliance on fossil fuel must be reduced and the potential for solar, wind, has to be further explored. The government should craft new policies to incentivize renewable energy through subsidies, tax breaks, and investment in infrastructure. Public awareness campaigns can also encourage individuals and businesses to adopt clean energy solutions, such as solar panels and energy-efficient appliances.

The country has to put in place effective waste management systems for cleaner environment. The federal, provincial and municipalities will need to invest in modern waste collection methods and infrastructure. Segregation of waste at source, promoting recycling and composting of organic waste will need to be done. The use of plastics has to be banned and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of proper waste disposal and the benefits of recycling has to be promoted. Additionally, encouraging the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly products can reduce the environmental impact of waste.

The government has to combat deforestation, prioritize reforestation initiatives and restore degraded lands. The forest cover has to be increased to arrest soil erosion and preserve biodiversity. Tree plantation campaigns to expand forest cover needs to be done immediately. Public private partnerships can encourage tree plantation campaigns and sustainable land-use practices.

The government will have to implement policies to promote efficient water use in agriculture, industry, and households. This includes investing in modern irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, which reduces water wastage, and promoting rainwater harvesting. Additionally, treating and reusing wastewater can help reduce pollution and alleviate pressure on freshwater resources.

For a cleaner environment, the government has to reduce vehicular emissions. There is a need to expand public transportation systems, such as buses and metro networks to reduce reliance on private vehicles. The use of hybrid and electrical vehicles must be encouraged to lower pollution levels. Emission control must be made mandatory for all vehicles. Best practices adopted in the west for polluted cities must be studied in detail for possible implementation.

There is a need to stop converting prime agricultural land into housing societies which not only cause environmental damage but also directly affect food production and security. There is a need to encourage sustainable urban planning, development of green spaces, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and cycling lanes, to promote cleaner air and a healthier urban environment.

All the suggested measure will not derive the desired results without a change in the mindset of the policy makers and the masses. As such, making the public aware to the impending doom is vital to bring change. Environmental education should be integrated into school curriculums to instill a sense of responsibility in the younger generation. Public awareness campaigns, media programs, and community workshops can also play a crucial role in educating citizens about environmental conservation and sustainable practices.

No change can make a difference without the participation of the local communities. There is a need to involve the civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and students in environmental decision-making processes. Grassroots movements are vital for advocating environmental protection and mobilizing community action.

Promoting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, and integrated pest management, can significantly reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Additionally, adopting water-efficient practices, such as using drought-resistant crop varieties and efficient irrigation methods, can help conserve water and reduce pollution.

Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change requires a proactive approach to adaptation and mitigation. There is a need to formulate and implement a comprehensive climate change strategy that includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities, and build resilience to climate impacts. As climate change is a global challenge, Pakistan has to seek International cooperation, climate financing and technology transfer to support its adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Although there is no doubt that state policies and community initiatives are crucial to overcome challenges of the environment, yet the role of individuals is very important. We will need to modify our lifestyles and approach towards the environment.

Each individual has to recalibrate their environmental footprint by following the three R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle A change in the consumption patterns is needed. The use of plastic bags, bottles and single use plastics has to be discouraged and stopped by moving towards recyclable materials.

In a change of lifestyle, we must conserve water, by turning off taps when not in use, fixing leaks, using energy-efficient appliances, and turning off lights when not in use. Furthermore, the use of environmentally friendly products made out of recyclable materialist must be promoted.

Lastly, the need for cleaner environment must be promoted through the social media, running public awareness campaigns, education and advocacy. Raising awareness, self-disciplining, volunteering your time to support environmental causes can make a tangible difference in your community.

A cleaner environment is the need of the hour. No government can achieve it without the involvement of the people. It is our duty to play our role in keeping our environment clean for the benefit of our future generations.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

Nadeem Riyaz is a former Pakistan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP and IFAD.

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