Pakistan
Intervention by Mr. Iftikhar Arain of Pakistan
14th Session of Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD14)
Integrated approach to addressing air pollution and atmospheric
problems
(May 04, 2006) PM session
Mr. Chairman,
At the very outset let me extend thanks to the panelists for their very
informative briefing.
Pakistan is an arid country with rainfall ranging as low as 80 mm in
the south to as high as 1600 mm in the north. Moreover, the wind speed,
which is essential for flushing of pollution, is also low in our cities. In the
dry and low wind days, natural dust and anthropogenic pollution when
generated in access, takes longer time to disperse off. Over the last few years
average rainfall has declined in many parts of the country. The levels of
suspended particulate matters and other pollutants, which have active corelation
with meteorological conditions, are likely to increase given the dry
air condition prevails.
2. One of the major environmental issues is degradation of ambient air
quality particularly in urban areas. There are several pressures contributing
to air pollution increase. The key factors contributing to air pollution in
Pakistan are: rapidly growing energy demand and a fast growing transport
sector. In the cities, widespread use of low-quality fuel, combined with a
dramatic expansion in the number of vehicles on roads, has led to significant
air pollution problems.
Mr. Chairman,
3. Pakistan is the largest user of CNG in Asia and presently, some 800
CNG stations are operating in the country while 200 are under construction.
Use of CNG as fuel in transport sector has observed a quantum leap,
replacing traditional fuels and has helped a lot in lowering the pollution load
in many urban centers. After the successful CNG programme for petrol
replacement, the government is now embarking upon a programme to
replace the more polluting diesel fuel in the road transport sector. The
government has planned to offer incentives to investors to introduce CNG
buses in the major cities of the country.
4. Stationary sources of air pollution have been on the increase in
Pakistan as well as the air pollution caused due to industrialized areas
especially around petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, cement
factories, fertilizer factories and iron steel industries. Some 314.9 million
tons net weight animal excreta are produce each yea. This causes high
indoor air pollution in rural areas. Respiratory diseases are quite common
among villagers. Government has planned to deal with this issue through
one of the component of clean air programme under the umbrella of
National Environment Action Plan (NEAP). Another source of degradation
in ambient air quality is the presence of carbon monoxide in the air
occurring due to incomplete combustion of fuel. The major source is from
motor emission. Diesel tracks and buses have increased at an alarming rate
of 200-300 % since 1980. Diesel particulate filter (DPF), which is a device
used in many countries to control emission in diesel vehicles cannot be used
in Pakistan as it requires low sulphur diesel i.e. 0.05-0.5 % sulphur.
5. In an attempt to assess the deterioration in air and water quality in the
major cities of Pakistan, we undertook a project to measure air and water
quality in three cities, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. This study forms
the initial part of the agencies plan to stem the deterioration. One significant
achievement has been the elimination of lead gasoline. Government has also
aggressively pursued fuel switching from fuel oil to natural gas in the
industry.
6. On the advice of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council, the
Ministry of Environment opened dialogue with Industrial sector. The
industries were initially reluctant to adopt environmental measures realizing
that environmental improvement and pollution control is essential for the
market economy and public health. The Chambers of Commerce and other
industrial associations took initiatives and created environmental cell within
their organizations. Despite these achievements, extra efforts are still
required to promote green productivity and adoption of ISO 14000.
7. One cleaner production center of petroleum sector is already
functioning with the assistance of UNIDO and another for leather industries
in the public sector will start soon in Sialkot. These cleaner production
centers envisage promoting adoption of ISO 14000 and help improve
environmental performance of the industry. Combined waste treatment plant
for Kasur tanneries is in the final stage of completion while similar
arrangements are being planned in Sialkot and Karachi.
I thank you.
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14th Session of Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD14)
Integrated approach to addressing air pollution and atmospheric
problems
(May 04, 2006) PM session
Mr. Chairman,
At the very outset let me extend thanks to the panelists for their very
informative briefing.
Pakistan is an arid country with rainfall ranging as low as 80 mm in
the south to as high as 1600 mm in the north. Moreover, the wind speed,
which is essential for flushing of pollution, is also low in our cities. In the
dry and low wind days, natural dust and anthropogenic pollution when
generated in access, takes longer time to disperse off. Over the last few years
average rainfall has declined in many parts of the country. The levels of
suspended particulate matters and other pollutants, which have active corelation
with meteorological conditions, are likely to increase given the dry
air condition prevails.
2. One of the major environmental issues is degradation of ambient air
quality particularly in urban areas. There are several pressures contributing
to air pollution increase. The key factors contributing to air pollution in
Pakistan are: rapidly growing energy demand and a fast growing transport
sector. In the cities, widespread use of low-quality fuel, combined with a
dramatic expansion in the number of vehicles on roads, has led to significant
air pollution problems.
Mr. Chairman,
3. Pakistan is the largest user of CNG in Asia and presently, some 800
CNG stations are operating in the country while 200 are under construction.
Use of CNG as fuel in transport sector has observed a quantum leap,
replacing traditional fuels and has helped a lot in lowering the pollution load
in many urban centers. After the successful CNG programme for petrol
replacement, the government is now embarking upon a programme to
replace the more polluting diesel fuel in the road transport sector. The
government has planned to offer incentives to investors to introduce CNG
buses in the major cities of the country.
4. Stationary sources of air pollution have been on the increase in
Pakistan as well as the air pollution caused due to industrialized areas
especially around petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, cement
factories, fertilizer factories and iron steel industries. Some 314.9 million
tons net weight animal excreta are produce each yea. This causes high
indoor air pollution in rural areas. Respiratory diseases are quite common
among villagers. Government has planned to deal with this issue through
one of the component of clean air programme under the umbrella of
National Environment Action Plan (NEAP). Another source of degradation
in ambient air quality is the presence of carbon monoxide in the air
occurring due to incomplete combustion of fuel. The major source is from
motor emission. Diesel tracks and buses have increased at an alarming rate
of 200-300 % since 1980. Diesel particulate filter (DPF), which is a device
used in many countries to control emission in diesel vehicles cannot be used
in Pakistan as it requires low sulphur diesel i.e. 0.05-0.5 % sulphur.
5. In an attempt to assess the deterioration in air and water quality in the
major cities of Pakistan, we undertook a project to measure air and water
quality in three cities, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. This study forms
the initial part of the agencies plan to stem the deterioration. One significant
achievement has been the elimination of lead gasoline. Government has also
aggressively pursued fuel switching from fuel oil to natural gas in the
industry.
6. On the advice of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council, the
Ministry of Environment opened dialogue with Industrial sector. The
industries were initially reluctant to adopt environmental measures realizing
that environmental improvement and pollution control is essential for the
market economy and public health. The Chambers of Commerce and other
industrial associations took initiatives and created environmental cell within
their organizations. Despite these achievements, extra efforts are still
required to promote green productivity and adoption of ISO 14000.
7. One cleaner production center of petroleum sector is already
functioning with the assistance of UNIDO and another for leather industries
in the public sector will start soon in Sialkot. These cleaner production
centers envisage promoting adoption of ISO 14000 and help improve
environmental performance of the industry. Combined waste treatment plant
for Kasur tanneries is in the final stage of completion while similar
arrangements are being planned in Sialkot and Karachi.
I thank you.
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