By Themeholy 21 June, 2024 Comments (3)

Policy: Pakistan’s Net Zero Commitments

What is Net Zero?

Net Zero refers to the balance between the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into the atmosphere and the GHGs removed from it. Achieving Net Zero means that a country's total GHG emissions are no more than the GHGs it can offset or remove from the atmosphere through various measures such as carbon capture, afforestation, and technological advancements. The ultimate goal of Net Zero is to halt the net increase of GHGs in the atmosphere, thereby mitigating climate change and its adverse impacts.

Have other countries adopted it?

Several countries have committed to achieving Net Zero emissions, and this approach has shown promising results in curbing GHG emissions and fostering sustainable practices.

• Bhutan: Although a smaller nation, Bhutan has embraced sustainability and set an ambitious target of achieving Net Zero emissions. Bhutan's unique approach focuses on maintaining its forest cover, which acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 than the country emits. As a result, Bhutan has been a carbon-negative country since 1991.
• United Kingdom (UK): The UK government set a legally binding commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. Between 1990 and 2019, the UK's GHG emissions decreased by 44%, demonstrating that significant progress is possible through a combination of policy measures, renewable energy adoption, and energy efficiency improvements.
• Sweden: Sweden has been at the forefront of environmental policies and committed to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2045. By 2019, Sweden had reduced its GHG emissions by 26% compared to 1990 levels, all while maintaining a strong economy and improving quality of life for its citizens.

Pakistan’s Net Zero Commitments

In its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted under the Paris Agreement, Pakistan pledged to reduce its GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual levels. This involves a 15% reduction from the country’s own resources and a 35% reduction subjected to the provision of international grant finance. With a population exceeding 220 million and an economy rapidly growing, Pakistan's Net Zero commitments hold significant implications for both the country's development trajectory and its contributions to the global fight against climate change.

To achieve the target, Pakistan aims to transition to 60% renewable energy and have 30% electric vehicles by 2030. Additionally, the country plans to ban coal imports and expand nature-based solutions. The updated NDC also includes new sectors and gases for enhanced contributions. Adaptation and resilience areas in the NDC now encompass agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystem, disaster risk management, forestry, health, waste, and water.

However, Net Zero Pakistan requires a collaborative effort involving companies, public institutions, and sectoral experts to achieve the goal of net zero carbon by 2050. This coalition necessitates national involvement, highlighting the crucial role played not only by industrial businesses but also society at the grassroots level. Raising awareness about climate change becomes a pivotal factor in instilling society with the collective responsibility demanded by the net zero objective.