Environmental Sustainability and Power Sector Governance in Pakistan (T-1265) (MFN 4982)

Abstract

Rapid degradation of natural environment and depletion of natural resources due to economic development and urbanization has diverted the attention of policy makers to address the environmental concerns in national development policies and programs. It is proved by the research that power sector development (due to use of fossil fuels and other renewable and non-renewable natural resources) has direct relation with impairment of natural environment therefore; energy and environment” has become an emerging area of research at this time. Globally, the proper integration of environment in power sector governance is thought to be one of the solutions to achieve the target of sustainable power sector development. Present study identifies the existing status of coordination between power sector governance and environment in Pakistan. Key finding of the study is that proper integration of environmental sustainability in power sector governance is lacking in Pakistan. Most of the power sector legislation and policies and existing system of power sector governance is sector specific and works in isolation paying no or little attention to environmental concerns whereas; the environmental matters are considered the sole responsible of federal and provincial environment department. National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), the main power sector regulatory body in Pakistan has targeted approach and shows little attention towards the environmental and social aspects related to power sector development in the country. Proper integration of environment is also deficient in other power sector institutions in Pakistan such as Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB), Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). Close coordination between power sector and environment in Pakistan is of key importance not only at national level but it is also a prerequisite to compete with the international market in the present age of resource scarcity and energy crises. This study therefore; recommends that environmental concerns should be addressed at an early stage in power sector planning and policies without which it would be impossible to achieve the target of sustainable power sector development as well as to meet the challenges of current energy crises in a sustainable manner. “Economic and social implications of integration of power sector and environment” have been identified as key domains of further research in this area.