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.
