Centered on the Indus River Valley in Southwest Asia, Pakistan is known for its long history of conflict and political instability.
Conquered by numerous ethnic groups over the centuries, Pakistan gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. The independence also marked predominantly-Muslim Pakistan’s separation from predominantly-Hindu India.
Pakistan has a wide range of geography within its borders, from coastal plains to arid deserts to some of the tallest mountains in the world, including K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain. Pakistan’s highest elevations are covered with glaciers, which supply the Indus River with vast amounts of water.
Political instability looms large over the Pakistani economy, as it does over many aspects of the country’s society. However, lower oil prices and economic reforms have boosted the economy over the past year. Longer-term, the country has made significant progress over the past decade in lifting many people out of poverty.
Environmental Issues of Pakistan
Pakistan is currently going through a period of massive population growth, and this development is driving most of the country’s environmental issues. Nearly 180 million people now live in Pakistan, which makes it the 6th most populous country in the world. Pakistan also has one of the highest population growth rates and based on estimates the population will double in 25 years.
This population size and growth rate threatens to overwhelm the country’s natural resources. While Pakistan is a highly agricultural society, much of its land is arid and water is already scarce in many parts of the country. Additionally, much of the water that is available is polluted, due to insufficient sewage systems.
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The 2010 floods in Pakistan devastated the country, leaving roughly 20% of the nation underwater and affecting over 20 million people. Image Credit: Asianet-Pakistan/Shutterstock.com
The Indus River is a major source of water in Pakistan and the agricultural industry relies heavily upon it for irrigation. The river is fed by glaciers melting in higher elevations and climate change is threatening to substantially shrink these glaciers. In the short term, climate change is expected to increase deadly flooding within the Indus River Valley. In the long term, less water will only increase stress on the river and surrounding ecosystems.
Pakistan is also being decimated by rampant deforestation. With just 2 to 5 percent of its original tree cover, deforestation could soon lead to more devastating floods, landslides, and higher carbon emissions.
Environmental Policies of Pakistan
As a developing nation, many of Pakistan’s environmental policies are focused on providing clean water and air to the population, and mitigating the threat posed by natural disasters, all in a sustainable manner. The country also prioritizes safeguarding the environment, the honoring of international environmental obligations and the sustainable use of resources.
Climate Change and Environment in Pakistan
One of the government’s goals is to increase the public’s embrace of environmental management issues. The government has also been placing a greater consideration of environmental concerns when making decisions.
Key specifics for Pakistani environmental policy include preserving agricultural soils, better irrigation, preserving bodies of water, maintaining biodiversity, better energy efficiency, managing urban waste, and developing renewable energy sources.
Clean Technology in Pakistan
The clean technology industry in Pakistan is still in its nascent stages, yet there are signs that the country is poised for a cleantech revolution in the not-too-distant future.
For now, the country largely relies on the importation of clean technology. In 2011, Pakistan’s Alternative Energy Development Board launched a five-year plan to acquire renewable energy technology from China and Germany.
Despite that endeavor, Pakistan’s wind power was just 105.9 MW in October 2014, which compares unfavorably to, for example, the 1,320 MW generated by California’s Alta Wind Energy Center. However, many other wind farms are now in the development pipeline, including a 249.6 MW farm backed in part by China's state-owned Harbin Electric International.
Pakistan: Environmental Issues, Policies and Clean Technology
Though still in its infancy, Pakistan's solar power potential is huge and the future looks promising. Image credit: Asianet-Pakistan / Shutterstock.com
Many wind farms have been planned by Pakistan and with external support from countries like China, their wind power market certainly has great potential. Image credit: Michal Knitl / Shutterstock.com
Solar power in Pakistan is just getting off the ground. In May 2015, the country opened its first solar power plant. Also built-in cooperation with China, the Punjab province facility generates 100 MW of power and is projected to generate 1,000 MW by 2016.
In addition to backing wind and solar projects, China has also backed the creation of a major Pakistani hydroelectric plant. The hydro plant is funded by China’s Silk Road Fund, which is intended to build stronger connections from China all the way to Europe.
A Clean Future?
Pakistan’s status as a developing country that significant political instability means a clean future is probably not the country’s first priority. If Pakistan were to embrace more clean technology and renewable energy sources, it appears it would do so with heavy backing from China.
Sources and Further Reading
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