Carbon emissions and climate disaster

A cap-and-trade system is needed for industry 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world. These goals consist of 17 global targets that address key challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Among these goals, SDG 7 focuses on ensuring access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all. Energy is a fundamental pillar of modern life, as it directly supports economic growth, industrial development, and quality of life. However, the world’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels has intensified climate change and environmental problems.

At the global level, access to electricity has improved, yet major gaps still exist. Around 90 percent of the global population has access to electricity, but nearly 789 million people remain without electricity, particularly in developing countries. In addition, about 2.8 billion people rely on polluting cooking fuels, which pose serious risks to health and the environment. The energy sector is responsible for nearly 73 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor to climate change. Despite global commitments, only 17.5 percent of electricity is generated from renewable energy sources, showing that the transition toward clean energy remains slow.

Clean energy is essential because it helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, both of which are major drivers of climate change. Cleaner energy sources improve public health, lower respiratory diseases, and enhance living standards, especially in densely populated areas. Moreover, renewable energy protects natural ecosystems and ensures environmental sustainability for future generations. One of the main targets of SDG 7 is to strengthen international cooperation in clean energy technologies and to expand energy infrastructure in developing countries, enabling them to shift toward sustainable energy systems.

From Pakistan’s perspective, the issue becomes more alarming. Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent to global carbon emissions, yet it is among the countries most affected by climate change. This situation clearly shows that even a small contribution to global emissions can result in severe environmental and social consequences. If Pakistan’s share of emissions increases to 2 percent in the next decade, the situation will become much more serious. In such a case, one out of every 1,000 people may be affected by respiratory diseases due to worsening air quality. As a result, Pakistan will be forced to increase investment in the health sector to manage climate-related illnesses instead of focusing on development and economic growth. Climate change, therefore, directly limits national progress, and if it is not taken seriously today, sustainable growth will become increasingly difficult in the future.

In 2022, Pakistan emitted approximately 529.1 million tonnes of carbon, and its emissions have increased by nearly 123 percent over the last two decades. The country remains 60 percent dependent on fossil fuels, which continues to worsen environmental conditions. The two main sectors responsible for carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan are the energy sector and the agriculture sector, together contributing around 43–46 percent of total emissions.

According to NDMA reports (2025), Pakistan has witnessed extreme temperature variations, clearly reflecting a drastic shift in weather patterns. During the winter months of January to February, temperatures in northern areas dropped as low as –13°C, while during the summer months of June to July, temperatures rose sharply to 45–48°C in many regions. These extreme fluctuations clearly show how rapidly Pakistan’s climate is changing and how unstable the seasonal patterns have become.

A gradual shift from non-renewable to renewable energy sources will be beneficial for long-term sustainability. In addition, the government should organize seminars and awareness programs on carbon credits in both urban and rural areas, encouraging collective responsibility to protect the environment and secure a clean future for the next generation.

Carbon dioxide emissions have become a serious concern because they contribute to ozone depletion, trap ultraviolet rays, and raise the Earth’s temperature. Rising temperatures intensify heatwaves, accelerate glacier melting, and increase the risk of natural disasters. These climate impacts severely affect Pakistan’s economy by damaging key sectors such as health, education, tourism, and agriculture. They also harm religious and cultural sites, including Kartarpur, which holds deep religious significance. The 2025 floods clearly demonstrated how climate change can disrupt Pakistan’s economy and social stability.

Air pollution is another major challenge in Pakistan and is closely linked to industrial emissions and energy consumption. Polluted air becomes trapped over cities, worsening health conditions and reducing the quality of life. Provincial contributions to carbon emissions vary: Karachi contributes more due to high energy consumption and industrial activity, Lahore contributes largely due to agricultural emissions, while Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contribute comparatively less. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) report, cities such as Lahore, Bahawalpur, and Gujranwala recorded poor air quality levels of 230, 219, and 216, respectively. Reports from 2024 also identified Lahore as the most populated city, which further increases environmental pressure.

Pakistan has introduced Carbon Credit Policy Guidelines, which is a positive initiative toward climate action. However, these guidelines have not been implemented effectively due to a lack of transparency, accountability, and proper governance. The government should impose a carbon tax on industries that emit higher levels of carbon than in previous years and adopt a strong cap-and-trade mechanism, similar to those used in Western countries. Establishing a carbon trading market, such as the California cap-and-trade system, can help regulate emissions while generating revenue.

Through these measures, Pakistan can control emissions, improve climate resilience, reduce heatwaves, and improve air quality. A gradual shift from non-renewable to renewable energy sources will be beneficial for long-term sustainability. In addition, the government should organize seminars and awareness programs on carbon credits in both urban and rural areas, encouraging collective responsibility to protect the environment and secure a clean future for the next generation.