2012年-世界发展银行全球_Green_Industrial_Growth___Mainstreaming_Environmental_Sustainability_in_Pakistans_Industrial_Sector_227页_2mb

Pakistan: Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in the Industrial Sector

Core Content

This report, authored by Ernesto Sanchez-Triana, Leonard Ortolano, and Javaid Afzal, explores the challenges and opportunities for integrating environmental sustainability into Pakistan's industrial sector. It highlights the urgent need for the Government of Pakistan (GoP) to improve environmental performance to enhance the competitiveness of its industries, particularly in export markets. The study was conducted under the non-lending technical assistance (NLTA) program of the World Bank, with collaboration from the Ministry of Industries and various stakeholders.

Main Points

1. Environmental Degradation and Industrial Pollution

• Air Pollution: Industries are a major source of air pollution in Pakistan, contributing significantly to particulate matter (PM) emissions, especially PM2.5 and PM10. The majority of PM emissions come from transportation, but industries also play a notable role, with approximately 12.2% of PM2.5 and 21.6% of PM10 linked to industrial activities.
• Water Pollution: Industrial activities cause heavy metal and organic compound discharges, which severely affect water quality and ecosystems. Wastewater treatment levels are low, and many industries discharge untreated or inadequately treated effluents.
• Health Impacts: Industrial pollution has adverse effects on public health, particularly in urban areas. Lead poisoning is a major environmental health threat, especially for children, with high levels found near industrial zones in Punjab.

2. Export Competitiveness and Environmental Standards

• International Trade Barriers: As trade barriers decrease, non-tariff-related environmental regulations and voluntary standards (like ISO 14001) have become more significant. These standards are often de facto requirements for international trade.
• ISO Certification: There is a low rate of ISO 14001 certification in Pakistan. Only 5% of surveyed SMEs were aware of ISO 14001, while 93% of large firms were. However, actual compliance remains low, with only 5% of SMEs and 50% of large firms certified.
• Export-Driven Awareness: Export-oriented firms are more likely to be aware of and comply with environmental standards. This is due to the demands of international customers, particularly in the EU and the US.

3. Institutional and Regulatory Challenges

• Institutional Capacity: Environmental agencies in Pakistan have limited institutional capacity, which hinders regulatory enforcement.
• NEQS Compliance: Only 3 out of 57 surveyed firms were in compliance with the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), with large, export-oriented firms being the only ones meeting the standards.
• Devolution of Responsibilities: The 18th Amendment to the Constitution has devolved environmental responsibilities to the provinces, which may further strain institutional capacity.

4. Cleaner Production (CP) and Environmental Performance

• CP Implementation: CP centers in Pakistan have been successful in encouraging firms to adopt cleaner production options, leading to efficiency improvements.
• CP and ISO Synergy: CP and end-of-pipe treatments like Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) can complement each other to improve environmental performance and enable ISO certification.
• Need for Support: CP activities require more support, including the creation of new centers, better information dissemination, and the establishment of advisory boards.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen Environmental Institutions: Allocate budget and staff to the Ministry of Climate Change and provincial EPAs to enhance their coordination and enforcement roles. Create an environmental unit within the Ministry of Industries.
• Expand Cleaner Production Activities: Increase the number of CP centers, including a national center. Improve the transfer of information on integrating CP and ISO 14001 into business operations. Establish advisory boards for sustainability.
• Construct Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs): Prioritize CETP construction in industrial clusters to improve environmental performance and support ISO certification.
• Revive Pollution Charge Scheme: Use pollution tax revenues to subsidize CETP construction and provincial EPA operations. Study the potential of a chromium tax to manage tannery-related chromium waste.
• Relax NEQS Interim: Temporarily relax NEQS to allow firms to meet standards using cost-effective waste treatment methods. Focus on protecting human health and avoiding nuisance conditions.
• Enhance Public Disclosure: Promote public awareness of environmental violations and health impacts through innovative programs like Indonesia's PROPER and China's Water and Air Pollution Maps.
• Improve Quality Infrastructure: Strengthen the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to serve as a bridge between international standards and local exporters, helping them adapt to environmental trade issues.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes that environmental sustainability is not just an ethical concern but a critical factor for enhancing Pakistan's industrial competitiveness in global markets. It calls for a multi-faceted approach that includes institutional strengthening, regulatory reform, cleaner production initiatives, and public engagement to ensure that Pakistan's industries can meet international environmental standards and sustain long-term growth.