Republic of Korea  Joined GMI in 2008 

Methane Emissions Summary

In Pakistan, methane emissions are the second largest contributor to the energy sector, and the largest contributor to the Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. Livestock is a major driver of socio-economic development in Pakistan and is a significant source of income and employment for Pakistan’s rural population. Livestock is also a major contributor to methane emissions due to enteric fermentation and manure management. Within Pakistan’s livestock population, buffalo are the largest contributors to methane emissions from enteric fermentation at 48%, followed by cattle at 19%. Poultry is the primary source of emissions from manure management in Pakistan, comprising 86% of the total.

Energy Sector Emissions by Greenhouse Gas, 2018

AFOLU Sector Emissions by Greenhouse Gas, 2018

Methane Emissions from Enteric Fermentation by Animal Type, 2018

Methane Emissions from Manure Management by Animal Type, 2018

Source: Pakistan’s First Biennial Update Report, Ministry of Climate Change, April 2022: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Pakistan%E2%80%99s%20First%20Biennial%20Update%20Report%20%28BUR-1%29%20-%202022.pdf

Methane Commitments and Plans

Methane mitigation efforts in Pakistan are guided by federal and international commitments and plans. Pakistan also engages in partnerships dedicated to addressing methane.

National

• Pakistan’s First Biennial Update Report on Climate Change was published in 2022 and provides a summary of methane emission trends and methane emission reduction efforts in the agriculture, transportation, livestock, and energy sectors in Pakistan.
• Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy, updated in 2021, supports the development of biogas and manure digesters to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation.
• Pakistan’s 2021 Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) sets the goal of up to a 50% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The NDCs includes measures to utilize bio-methane as a fuel source for rural households.
• The National Adaptation Plan, published in 2023, affirms Pakistan’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge and to reduce methane emissions nationwide.
• Net Zero Pakistan is a national coalition supporting Pakistan’s decarbonization efforts and achievement of climate goals. The Net Zero strategy recognizes methane in the waste sector as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

International

• Pakistan joined the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26), agreeing to take voluntary actions to contribute to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
• Pakistan has been a member of the Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) since 2017, supporting activities to reduce methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.

Methane Actions

The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Pakistan to address methane, organized by GMI sector.   

Biogas Sector

• Pakistan approved the development of a 40 MW wastewater treatment plant in Lahore. Once construction is complete, expected in 2026, approximately 2,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste will be processed daily. (2018)

Coal Sector

• In 2020, the government of Pakistan announced a halt in construction of new coal power plants to support the country’s shift from coal power to renewable energy.

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following website to learn more about the government ministries addressing methane emissions. 

• Ministry of Climate Change and Environment