Pakistan's road to Net Zero

The Challenge

Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but is highly vulnerable to climate change. The country faces an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts, floods, forest fires, and storms, leading to significant economic losses, averaging EUR 4 billion per year by 2021. The 2022 floods alone caused property damage estimated at EUR 30 billion. Such climate disasters have also exacerbated existing gender inequities in the country. Pakistan's 2021 updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commits to reducing emissions by 15% by 2030 compared to a business-as-usual scenario, with a potential further reduction of 35% with international financial support. The goal is for 60% of energy generation to come from renewable resources, including hydropower, by 2030, and for 30% of all motor vehicles sold in 2030 to be electric.

However, Pakistan has yet to fulfill the requirement under Article 4 (19) of the Paris Climate Agreement to formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies with a time horizon of 2050 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The process initiated to develop Pakistan's Long-Term Vision 2050 shows that despite the clear political commitment of its climate policy, which is reflected in national and subnational policies and ambitions, there is a lack of competencies for implementation. Developing Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) is key to meeting this obligation and aligning with international climate goals.

Our Approach The Benefits 

Our Approach

The project supports strengthening the capacity of national and subnational actors to develop LT-LEDS that facilitate a gender-responsive transition to decarbonisation. This includes considering social impacts and institutional arrangements to ensure an inclusive and equitable approach to achieving long-term climate goals. The project will support the Government of Pakistan with the following measures:

  1. Creating the necessary prerequisites for the legal anchoring of LT-LEDS for a gender-equitable net-zero transition. 
  2. Mainstreaming and integration of LT-LEDS in Pakistan's policy agendas and processes. 
  3. Strengthening the skills of those involved in the development and implementation of the LT-LEDS and the Just Transition approach.

The Benefits 

Regulatory Guidelines Enabling Legal Framework for Gender-Equitable LT-LEDs Implementation

The project focuses on creating and implementing LT-LEDS to ensure a fair and sustainable transition to a low-emission economy in Pakistan. The MoCC will lead this effort, involving key stakeholders from various government ministries, scientific institutions, and provincial governments. A representative group of stakeholders will develop the LT-LEDS draft, which includes specific goals for emission reduction and addresses socio-economic and gender impacts. Scientific institutes and universities will create scenarios to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 for three key sectors, with workshops held to validate and prioritise actions.

To support LT-LEDS, a draft law aligning with international climate agreements will be written and reviewed by the Prime Minister's office before submission to Parliament. Provincial governments will be encouraged to develop their own LT-LEDS strategies. A steering committee, co-chaired by the MoCC and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI), will ensure coordination and integration into national plans. The project will also conduct stakeholder dialogues and training sessions to build capacity and raise awareness about LTLEDS and Just Transition  

Integrating LT-LEDS into National Policy and Planning

The project aims to embed LT-LEDS into Pakistan's government policies and planning processes. Three sectoral policies of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) will be adapted to meet LT-LEDS requirements. A gap analysis on LT-LEDS and Just Transition in existing policies will be completed by December 2024 expert advice will help the MoCC and scientific institutions develop sector and gender-specific LT-LEDS targets and integrate them into a digital monitoring system.

Government ministries will create detailed plans showing how they will contribute to these emission reduction goals. They will work together to predict future greenhouse gas emissions and set achievable targets for reducing them. To support this, forums and workshops will be organised to discuss strategies for cutting emissions and moving towards a low-emission economy. The project will also highlight the benefits of a low-emission economy for Pakistan's social and economic goals, ensuring environmental sustainability supports overall progress. Stakeholder workshops will help implement these guidelines locally.


Building Capacity for a Low-Emission Future

The project prioritises empowering key stakeholders to implement Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LTLEDS) with a focus on a Just Transition. Tailored training programs will engage government ministries, relevant authorities, and research institutions, equipping them with essential skills for effective contribution. The training will emphasise scientific methods and modelling tools to set realistic emission reduction goals and work towards a fair transition to a low-emission economy. By building capacity, the project aims to develop achievable emission reduction scenarios across priority sectors at national and provincial levels. A diverse group of experts will undergo comprehensive training covering LTS analyses, modelling, sce-nario building, and Just Transition methodologies. Additionally, a specialised study tour will be planned to offer exposure to innovative technologies. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to integrate LT-LEDS into university curricula, building a skilled workforce adept in sustainable development and climate resilience

 

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