ISLAMABAD: Pakistan makes a tiny contribution to the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (among the lowest in the world) but it is among the countries most vulnerable to the pressing challenge of climate change.
Pakistan is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, the United Nations’ Global Climate Risk Index.
Many factors including transport sector are responsible for environmental crisis in the South Asian country as the transport sector contributes to about a quarter of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
According to the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy of Pakistan, transport sector is the leading factor in deteriorating the climatic conditions in Pakistan.
In order to overcome this pressing issue, Pakistan also decided to join electric vehicles (EVs) revolution to mitigate climate crisis as the transport sector contributes to about a quarter of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
In some developing nations, electric buses can be about 60 percent more expensive than their counterparts, according to the World Bank.
The New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy of Pakistan expressed agreement with the World Bank’s report and said that the capital cost of EVs is still high due to high battery costs. Despite such challenges, International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that around 250 million EVs on road by 2030, excluding two and three wheelers.
Toxic air generated by the sector has been responsible for around $1 trillion in health damages annually, the International Council on Clean Air Transportation reported.
In Pakistan, the recent wave of smog proved this as the Punjab healthcare department data showed that around two million people visited hospital across the province with breathing problems and other respiratory diseases in a month.
CO2 emissions from transport sector could increase by up to 50 percent by 2050, IPCC predicted.
EVs and Greenhouse Gas Emission
According to European Environment Agency, greenhouse gas emission intensity of power generation in the EU has returned to the overall reducing trend of the past decades.
It added that this also follows a slight raise in use of fossil fuels during 2021 and 2022, linked to post-COVID recovery.
Source: European Environment Agency
Adoption Rates of EVs Worldwide
The world is fast moving towards an electric mobility revolution as some countries went as far as announcing plans to completely halt the sale of FFVs. Norway plans to ban sale of all FFVs by 2025, Netherlands plans to ban such sales by 2030, while France and UK plan to do the same by 2040.
Other countries such as China, Sweden, Germany, and many US States have announced ambitious plans for EV penetration. India has announced to increase their share of EV sale to 30 percent and shift to all electric buses by 2030.
According to the document, the National Electric Vehicle Policy will strengthen Pakistan’s resolve to fight climate change at the national level. Since EVs bring a number of other benefits the policy is developed to introduce Green Economy and numerous opportunities for businesses and job creation in the country to ensure sustainable economic growth that preserves the climate for the country’s future generations.
Pakistan’s Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain announced the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy aimed at transitioning 30 per cent of all new vehicles — imported and locally manufactured — in the South Asian country to electric power by 2030.
The government of Pakistan announced its New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy to decarbonize the transport sector. However, EVs are significantly costlier compared to traditional vehicles.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam said that the Government of Pakistan is dedicated to curb emissions to mitigate and adapt to the harmful effects of climate change.
He added that transportation accounts for 43% of the airborne emissions in the South Asian country. He added that the Government has approved mandated minimum penetration targets for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Malik Amin Aslam claimed that the National Electric Vehicle Policy is devised to ensure meeting the penetration numbers set forth. The official hoped that this policy will begin an era of clean air in the South Asian country that they desperately need for their future generations.
Climate expert Muhammad Daud Khan told WE News that it is a positive step to introduce the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy, adding the government should also address the concern of other stakeholders in the industry.
He said that the decision makers should also implement such policy to expedite green transport system. He was of the view that recent wave of smog was a stark reminder for all of us especially the policy makers to act immediately to save the future generation.
He remarked that many countries in the world including China, the UK and Japan had addressed the issue of smog, adding there is need to change our life style. He was of the view that there is also need to change the method of farming in the country to address the smog.
