Author: Amjad Nazeer

Pakistan urgently requires a diverse portfolio of low-carbon technologies, a transition to renewable energy sources, and a viable solution for carbon capture and storage to swiftly reduce GHG emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change

Extracting raw materials from colonised territories, Europe in general, and Britain and France in particular, embarked rather rapidly on the path to industrialisation from 1850 to 1950. Fueled by fossil fuel, they covered significant miles of industrial growth, technological, and economic development in the next semi-sesquicentennial and monopolised international trade. In other words, the Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of a rapid increase in methane, CO2, and other greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, mainly due to coal burning and the deforestation of large tracts of land.

Ignoring the initial warnings of global warming in the sixth and seventh decade of the last century, it was in the late 1990s and in the first couple of decades of the new century that the world began feeling the heat. We ended up with climate change, erratic patterns of weather, heat waves, and flooding of epic proportions, including urban flooding, glacial meltdowns, massive forest fires, cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons. These emerging symptoms have caused havoc from the global north to the south.

Though Africa and Asia, skipping India and China, have limited carbon footprints, they have emerged as the worst sufferers of the global climate crisis. Nevertheless, with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns, the contours of the climate-change crisis are becoming increasingly sharp, foreshadowing far-reaching consequences transcending traditional boundaries and causing concerns for national security and geopolitical dynamics. Climate change knows no boundaries, making it a quintessential global concern.

In recent years, Pakistan has experienced significant fluctuations in its per capita CO2 emissions, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 3.4%. The primary sources of these emissions include cement plants, transportation, agriculture, gas processing, power plants, and refineries. In terms of geographical contributions, Sindh accounts for over 22 million tons of CO2 emissions. It is followed closely by Punjab, which exceeds 20 million tons. With the use of coal, this is likely to rise sharply.

In relative terms, while Pakistan is the least contributor to global carbon footprints (roughly around 0.7% globally), it is one of the ten most affected countries by global warming and climate crisis. But it doesn’t mean Pakistan and its industrial sector absolved of decarbonisation responsibilities. The country’s steady transition from an agriculture-led economy to an industry-led economy is increasing its energy consumption as well as carbon emissions.

Obviously, it is a worrying sign because our industrial sector uses over 98% of the polluting energy sources. Our neighbouring country, India, the world’s third-largest CO2 emitter, also holds a significant challenge ahead as its energy-intensive industries — like chemicals, steel, and cement — need to be decarbonised. Similarly, Bangladesh, despite having a smaller size of industry, must also be mindful of adopting renewable sources of energy for being a delta and low-lying country. A slight rise in the sea level may prove catastrophic for its overpopulated tracts of dry land.

Despite the commitment of all South Asian countries to the Paris Agreement and setting targets for minimising carbon intensity and increasing non-fossil-fuel power, the current emission ratios of these countries are likely to rise significantly by 2050. It is in this context that we turn our attention to Pakistan, a country whose complex geography and socio-economic conditions render it utterly vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

Industries, carbon emissions and climate change

Industries, undoubtedly, are an important basis for social and economic growth. At the same time, they are also substantial contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2010, the net anthropogenic CO2 emissions have increased across all major sectors. In 2019, approximately 34% and 24% of the net anthropogenic GHG emissions were attributed to the energy supply sector and industry, respectively.

Read more at: https://thefridaytimes.com/23-Feb-2024/climate-change-and-decarbonisation-of-pakistan-s-industrial-sector