Comparative analysis of greenhouse gas emission inventory for Pakistan: Part I energy and industrial processes and product use

In order to further improve the accuracy and reliability and reduce uncertainties in the national GHG inventories for Pakistan, this study call for using 2006 IPCC Guidelines, to help to identify the national targets for GHG mitigation with respect to the nationally determined contributions (NDCs). GHG (CO2, CH4, and N2O) inventories for Pakistan have been developed by conducting a detailed sectoral assessment of IPCC source sectors, energy, industrial processes and product use (IPPU), agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU), and the waste sector. Further, sector wise comparative analysis of GHG inventories (1994–2017) based on the 2006 and 1996 IPCC Guidelines have also been presented. Results indicated an average relative difference of 4% in total GHG emissions (CO2 equivalent) from energy sector between 2006 and 1996 IPCC Guidelines. With 3.6% average annual growth rate based on 2006 IPCC Guidelines, CO2 from energy sector remained the most abundant GHG emitted, followed by CH4 and N2O. While the average absolute difference in emissions of CH4 and N2O from the energy sector is notable, the total estimated GHG emissions by 2006 IPCC Guidelines duplicate those by 1996 IPCC Guidelines. In the mineral industry with 2006 IPCC Guidelines, an average annual growth rate of 6.7% is observed, contributing 64% of total IPPU sector CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, the relative difference between the two Guidelines in overall IPPU sector emissions remained negligible. There might be a need for switching to 2006 IPCC Guidelines to consider more parameters such as additional source sectors and new default emission factors that fit into national circumstances.