Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options for Pakistan: Waste Sector

The waste sector accounts for less than 2% of Pakistan's greenhouse gas emissions, but these are projected to grow from approximately 10 MtCO2e in 2012 to over 20 MtCO2e by 2030. The document identifies composting and landfill gas utilization as priority mitigation options, both of which are already being piloted in Lahore. Implementing these facilities in Karachi, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi could reduce emissions by 0.90 MtCO2e and 0.88 MtCO2e respectively by 2030, while providing co-benefits such as improved soil quality, public health, and local energy production.

• The waste sector contributes less than 2% of Pakistan's total greenhouse gas emissions, but emissions from this sector are projected to more than double between 2012 and 2030, rising from approximately 10 MtCO2e to over 20 MtCO2e.
• Industrial wastewater is expected to undergo the most significant change in emission rankings, moving from the lowest emitter to the highest emitter by 2030.
• Composting municipal solid waste is a priority mitigation option that could reduce 2030 emissions by 0.90 MtCO2e (4.4% of the sector's business-as-usual emissions) with an investment cost of 19 million USD. The proposed scenario involves expanding facilities from Lahore to include Karachi, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi.
• Landfill gas utilization is a priority mitigation option that could reduce 2030 emissions by 0.88 MtCO2e (4.3% of the sector's business-as-usual emissions) with an investment cost of 245 million USD. This involves capturing methane from sanitary landfills to produce heat or electricity.

APA

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

Chicago

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

Wikipedia

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