Energy System & Policy

Problem Set 6 Environment

Read the R-Smog and Peshawar report uploaded on LMS along with the lecture slides.
1. List down factors for smog in Punjab – 3-4 factors?
 Burning of biomass
 Industrial emissions
 Vehicles emissions
 burning of rice stubble
2. What is the decrease in average life expectancy in Punjab due to its poor air quality
compared to the standards set by WHO?
If pattern of pollution remained same, then air pollution will reduce life expectancy of a typical
Pakistani by 2.7 years as compared to standard set of World Health Organization and 2.2 years
relative to its own air quality standard.
3. What is the share of transport in Peshawar’s overall emissions (access the report: Status
of Air Pollution in Peshawar)
58.46% is the share of the transport sector in Peshawar`s overall emissions.
4. Explain climate change in your own words.
Climate changes are permanent environmental changes like rise of temperature and weather
pattern. Changes may occur due to nature or man driven. In recent times, these changes are
mainly driven by man activities like burning of biomass, smoke from vehicles and industry.
In case of Pakistan, power generation is mainly dependent on fossil fuels and that produces
heat and gases as byproduct. Extra heat makes weather hot and can cause floods, storms, and
other climatic disasters. It is time for all of us to think about cleaner energy sources and
future generations. Energy efficient appliances can also help in the given as more work can
be done with the same amount of energy. We should avoid deforestation and plant more trees
as trees can reduce temperature and cool down the earth. According to IGCEP 2022-31,
Pakistan will produce 60% of its total energy by renewable energy sources by 2030. 1To
reach this target, Pakistan required US $110 billion that is impossible to finance such a big
amount considering current economic situation of Pakistan.
5. What is the latest carbon count in parts per million (PPM)?
2
According to data from statista, 418.56 million was recorded in 2022 and 416.45 million
in 2021.
6. What are some of the climate mitigation strategies that countries need to adopt. (how to
reduce carbon emissions); list 3.
 Reducing dependency on fossil fuels and moving toward clean energy generation
sources can reduce carbon emissions.

1
https://nepra.org.pk/licensing/Licences/IGCEP/IGCEP%202022-31%20.pdf
2
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/
  By increasing energy efficiency more work can be done with the same amount of
energy. Less energy would be required to do the same amount of work as before.
Carbon emissions will be reduced.
 By planting more trees are plants are good carbon absorber
 Investing in EVs can also be helpful in reducing carbon emissions as a major
chunk of carbon emissions comes from vehicles.
7. What can IBA do as an institute to reduce its own carbon footprint?
 IBA can introduce Electric buses for shuttle services from main campus to city campus
and vice versa.
 IBA can produce its own energy through solar system. Solar plates are installed at the
main campus and still rely IBA on conventional energy. Solar should be installed in city
campus and amount need to be increased in main campus to fulfill its demand.
 IBA can educate students about energy efficiency and related things that are helpful in
the given cause.
 IBA can replace old electrical appliances with new and more efficient ones.
8. How do you think societies/economies will suffer due to global warming? What impact
on other eco-systems?
 Impact of global warming are severe and need to be treated to save societies,
economies, and eco-systems.
 Due to global warming the earth’s temperature is rising steadily. Increased
temperature fastens the melting process of glaciers and results in floods and
natural disasters.
 Water scarcity can increase due to temperature rise.
 Extreme weather conditions can affect crops resulting in less output that would
increase food prices.
 Extreme weather conditions might force some people for migration.
9. What is Beijing’s story on air quality; how did they improve (list three major things they
did)

https://epic.uchicago.edu/news/from-airpocalypse-to-olympic-blue-chinas-air-quality-
transformation/
Look at other sources as well (this is just a sample)
3
In the early 1990s, population, cars and industry observed growth. Emissions from industry
and vehicles badly affected the air-quality of Beijing. Beijing Municipal Government started
to publish air quality reports on weekly basis and educating people how to handle the
situation. The government decided to end emissions from sources like burning of coal and
other fossil fuels. The government declared a five-year plan starting in 2013. Targets were set
in the plan.

3
https://www.unep.org/interactive/beat-air-pollution/#:~:text=The%20measures%20set%20a
%20comprehensive,construction%20to%20household%20fuel%20burning.
  They targeted mainly the transport sector, destroying old cars and regular inspections
were enforced on roads for keeping check.
 The government encouraged people to buy a electric car instead of conventional car.
They encouraged bicycle use among people for shorter commutes.
 The government also asked the industrial sector to reduce emissions.
 The government limited use of coal-fired steamers and provided people with more
efficient options.
Cost of implemented plan was US $2.6 billion in 2017 as compared to US $434 million in
2013. But Beijing was able to overcome the concerned issues of air pollution.