Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Transport Sector

The transport sector in Pakistan is projected to see a 128% increase in greenhouse gas emissions between 2012 and 2030, rising from 35.4 MtCO2e to 80.7 MtCO2e. The document identifies several mitigation strategies, prioritizing efficiency norms for passenger vehicles, road-to-rail transfers, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, and improved car maintenance. Efficiency norms for passenger cars, taxis, and vans are identified as the highest priority, with a potential reduction of 7.45 MtCO2e by 2030. Shifting freight and passengers from road to rail is another key strategy, though rail's share of freight has dropped to under 1%, with a national target of 20%. The expansion of BRT systems in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, and Multan is also highlighted as a means to improve urban mobility and reduce emissions.

• Greenhouse gas emissions from Pakistan's transport sector are projected to increase by 128% between 2012 and 2030, growing from approximately 35.4 MtCO2e to 80.7 MtCO2e.
• The most significant mitigation potential comes from implementing efficiency norms for passenger cars, taxis, and vans, which could reduce emissions by 7.45 MtCO2e (9.2% of the sector's business-as-usual emissions) by 2030.
• Shifting transport from road to rail is a priority to address the fact that 96% of inland freight and 92% of passenger traffic currently rely on roads. While the national target for rail's share in freight is 20%, it has actually fallen to under 1%.
• The development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems is identified as a high-impact urban solution. Planned or active systems include those in Karachi (109 km), Lahore (27 km), Rawalpindi-Islamabad (22.5 km), and Multan (32 km).

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Transport Sector. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/fact-sheet-Pakistan-Transport-sector-.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Transport Sector. n.d. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/fact-sheet-Pakistan-Transport-sector-.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Transport Sector |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/fact-sheet-Pakistan-Transport-sector-.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworkndgreenhouse, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Transport Sector}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/fact-sheet-Pakistan-Transport-sector-.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }