Carbon Neutrality Still Low On Pakistan’s Energy Agenda |
Science shows that energy is the foundational component of our daily lives. In the present time, the challenge is to find energy sources that remain within the constraints of planetary boundaries, in particular, sustainable energy systems (SES). It is time to clearly understand that achieving carbon neutrality is not enough to realise a genuinely green energy system. It is the SES’s generation, storage, and transportation that also contribute to its sustainability and resilience.
The contemporary challenge lies in modern living’s dependence on energy against a world trying to achieve net zero. In the past two decades, much attention has been directed to the obvious candidates for renewable energy, including sun, wind, and water. The scientific community is still unable to construct a plausible pathway despite focusing on successful energy transitions.
Shifting to a sustainable system still requires a considerable amount of work, especially a long-term energy framework. The difficulties involved in accomplishing this goal are far more complex and require durable and adaptable scientific solutions.
Many advanced economies have already prepared plans for a net-zero future. In compliance with a net-zero plan and emissions reduction targets, Australia plans to achieve carbon-neutral emissions with a cut of CO₂ emissions from 62–70% by 2035. With the Climate Change Act 2021, Germany lays out an all-encompassing roadmap to achieving 80% of its energy from renewables.
Of the many European countries leading the charge, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Portugal stand out with 85–89% of renewables in their energy mix. These regions have a considerable advantage over the rest of the world with lower exposure to climate stress, greater capacity to adapt, and more favourable dismissals of the principles of climate justice, all making the transition to renewables easier.
Pakistan should avoid making tenuous commitments to the global community, as a track record of broken commitments devalues its standing and puts the country at risk of being viewed as a difficult partner
Pakistan should avoid making tenuous commitments to the global community, as a track record of broken commitments devalues its standing and puts the country at risk of being viewed as a difficult partner
Today, Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change. Despite Pakistan having only 0.5–0.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to the problem, it is still one of the 10–15 countries at most risk due to climate change. Consequently, economic losses exceeded USD 30 billion. Additionally, the astounding monsoon of 2022 flooded one-third of Pakistan. Around 4.4 million acres of farmland were flooded, and the country went into a recession with a -2.2% GDP. Current projections reveal that the country could face climate-related recessions of -18–20% of GDP by 2050.
Setting net-zero targets does not indicate a change in strategy for Pakistan. Carbon trading and subsidisation of renewables are positive, but insufficient for the targeted 50% CO₂ reduction. The launch of a carbon market policy and the goal for 30% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 are recent policy moves. The government has also set up subsidised solar systems at household and farm levels. Historically, these efforts are rationally symbolic rather than substantive. Pakistan needs to tackle this dilemma with genuine commitment.
Additionally, Pakistan should avoid making tenuous commitments to the global community, as a track record of broken commitments devalues its standing and puts the country at risk of being viewed as a difficult partner. The exact nature of the forthcoming fall carbon pledge disputes is unknown at this time. Our present energy system is predominantly reliant on coal, gas, and oil, and transitioning to renewables takes a lot of time and money.
If this is the case, Pakistan will eventually be subjected to the IMF’s pressure to implement carbon levies on diesel and petrol. Ultimately, weak governance, circular debt, the fossil-fuel dependence of the cement, steel, and textile industries, and outdated grid infrastructure leave Pakistan on a dangerous pathway far from a carbon-circular economy.