Pakistan: environment

How much CO2 does Pakistan emit?

Pakistan emitted 204.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 0.81 tonnes per person. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 525.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Methane from livestock and rice makes Pakistan's total greenhouse gas figure more than twice its CO2 figure. The Finance Division's Economic Survey climate chapter cites the same World Bank series and says Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions. Pakistan's own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses its own methods and years.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Pakistan · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan · Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Climate Change

How many people died in the 2026 monsoon floods in Pakistan?

199 people died and 556 were injured in rain and flood incidents during the 2026 monsoon, from 26 June to 30 September 2026, according to the National Disaster Management Authority's final daily situation report (No. 97). 1,839 houses were damaged, 623 of them fully, and 1,559 livestock died.

NDMA compiles the totals from provincial disaster management authorities. The report says the monsoon had withdrawn, and NDMA stopped the daily reports on 30 September. The 2026 totals are far smaller than in the 2022 floods or the 2025 monsoon, which the Finance Division's Economic Survey describes as one of the most widespread climate disasters, hitting all four provinces.

Official sources: NDMA: Monsoon 2026 Daily Situation Report No. 97 (PDF) · Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Climate Change

How hot was 2025 in Pakistan?

Pakistan's average temperature in 2025 was 23.9°C, 1.09°C above the 1961-1990 average of 22.8°C, making it the second-warmest year in 65 years, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department data in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. Rainfall was 3% below average.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa each had their warmest year on record. The national figure is the average across weather stations, so it hides heatwaves in the plains, where summer temperatures exceed 45°C. The Pakistan Meteorological Department publishes the full figures in its annual State of Pakistan Climate report.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Climate Change · Pakistan Meteorological Department

How does Pakistan generate its electricity?

Thermal plants (gas, oil and coal) produced 46.9% of Pakistan's grid electricity in July 2025 to March 2026, hydropower 30.1%, nuclear 18.5% and other renewables 4.5%, out of 92,835 GWh, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 energy chapter.

Shares of installed capacity differ: of 49,651 MW, thermal was 49.2%, hydro 23.4%, renewables 20.3% and nuclear 7.1%. Plants do not run all the time, so capacity shares overstate solar and wind output. The figures cover the national grid; rooftop solar that households and businesses generate for their own use is largely outside them. Hydro output peaks in summer.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Energy

How bad is air pollution in Pakistan?

People in Pakistan were exposed to an average of 58.4 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is more than eleven times the World Health Organization guideline of 5.

The figure is a modelled annual average weighted by population, so it hides winter smog episodes in Lahore and other Punjab cities, when daily levels are far higher. Live readings come from provincial agencies such as the Punjab Environment Protection Department. The Finance Division's Economic Survey climate chapter lists vehicle exhaust, industry and brick kilns among the sources.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Pakistan · Punjab Environment Protection Department · Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Climate Change

What are Pakistan's CO2 emissions per person?

0.8 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Pakistan for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.8 tonnes (2012) to 1.0 tonnes (2022). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.6 tonnes; Pakistan is 19th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 135th of 186.

What are Pakistan's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 526 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The peak was 538 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022 and the low 319 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Pakistan is 3rd highest of 22. Worldwide: 18th of 186.

How much of Pakistan's energy is renewable?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Pakistan was 41.6% in 2021. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.4%. World rank, highest first: 58th of 191.

What is Pakistan's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Pakistan was 4.1% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.9% (2015) to 4.2% (2005). It is 8th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.6%. Worldwide: 168th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Pakistan?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Pakistan was 58.4 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 61.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2018 and the low 50.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2009. It is 4th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 7th of 192.

What share of Pakistan is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Pakistan at 19.1% in 2025. The peak was 19.2% in 2024 and the low 12.3% in 2013. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 9.8%, and Pakistan placed 5th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 87th of 192.

What is water stress in Pakistan?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 110.0%. The peak was 122.7% in 2017 and the low 108.6% in 2019. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 116.7%, and Pakistan placed 12th highest of 21. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 15th highest.