Although Pakistan contributes just 0.9% to global greenhouse gas emissions, we play our due role in burning 1.5 million tonnes of waste annually, clearing 27,000 hectares of forests, and emitting 1,200 tonnes of CFCs from appliances. With only 15% of schools teaching environmental science, Pakistan’s 230 million citizens remain unaware of how these habits continue to worsen the blow of climate change. The 2025 floods, displacing 2.4 million and causing $2 billion in losses, expose Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, accompanied by the devastating obliviousness of its citizens towards the grave matter.

Floods & Climate Change

The 2025 monsoon has unleashed chaos, with economic losses exceeding $2 billion, per the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Rivers like the Chenab overflow, flooding farmlands and cities, driven by climate change that made monsoons 75% heavier, according to a 2022 World Weather Attribution study. Despite emitting just 443.6 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2020, Pakistan ranks eighth on the 2025 Climate Risk Index. Yet, while leaders emphasize global inequities, local contributions like CFC emissions from household appliances remain largely ignored.

The Silent Killers

Despite its minimal global footprint, Pakistan’s daily practices quietly fuel environmental degradation.

Open waste burning generates 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, releasing methane 25 times more potent than CO₂, per the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (2023). In Karachi alone, over 12,000 tons of municipal waste pile up daily, with only 40% properly managed, according to the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. Similarly, vehicular emissions from poorly maintained cars and rickshaws choke cities, contributing to Pakistan’s 200,000 annual air pollution-related deaths, as reported by the Health Effects Institute.

Deforestation compounds the crisis. Pakistan’s forest cover, now at 1.9% of its land area, has dwindled due to illegal logging and fuelwood harvesting, with 27,000 hectares lost annually, per the Food and Agriculture Organization. This reduces the land’s ability to absorb floodwaters, exacerbating inundation in areas like Gujrat. Moreover, single-use plastics, used by 80% of urban households, clog 60% of Pakistan’s urban waterways, worsening floods in Lahore, per a 2024 WWF-Pakistan study. Vehicular emissions also contribute, with Pakistan’s 20 million registered vehicles emitting 50 million tonnes of CO₂ yearly, per the Ministry of Transport.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from electrical appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners, are another silent threat. Despite the 1987 Montreal Protocol phasing out CFCs, Pakistan emitted 1,200 tonnes of CFC-11 equivalent in 2020, with 60% of rural households using CFC-based appliances, per a 2024 Ministry of Environment survey. CFCs trap heat 5,000–10,000 times more effectively than CO₂, amplifying warming. In Pakistan, 90% of households rely on electrical appliances, from luxury bungalows to rural shanties, yet awareness of CFC emissions remains low. Globally, CFC-free products are standard, labeled “CFC-free” on packaging, but Pakistan lags in adopting these alternatives.

Where We Lack

While leaders frequently discuss climate change, practical measures to address CFCs and sustainable appliances are scarce. The Ministry of Climate Change has not prioritized CFC-free transitions, with only 10% of appliances sold in 2024 labeled CFC-free, per a 2025 Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) report. Unlike global standards mandating CFC-free labeling, Pakistan’s markets are flooded with outdated appliances, with 70% of air conditioners and refrigerators still using CFC-12 or HCFC-22, per a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 2023 study. Enforcement of Montreal Protocol guidelines remains weak, with just 5% of imported appliances inspected for CFC compliance, per the Ministry of Commerce.

Education is equally lacking. Only 15% of Pakistan’s 24 million students learn environmental science, leaving 85% unaware of CFCs’ impact, per a 2024 UNESCO report. The Ministry of Climate Change allocated 2% of its 2024 budget to awareness, failing to educate about CFC-free alternatives. Consequently, 70% of farmers burn crop residue, emitting 10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, and 65% of urban drivers neglect vehicle maintenance, increasing emissions by 15%, per Ministry of Environment data. Without awareness, citizens remain oblivious to the role they play in driving climate change.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s 2025 floods, displacing millions, expose its climate vulnerability, yet its 0.9% global emissions mask local threats. Everyday habits—burning 1.5 million tonnes of waste, clearing 27,000 hectares of forests, and emitting 1,200 tonnes of CFCs from appliances—fuel the crisis. With only 10% of appliances CFC-free and 15% of schools teaching environmental science, rhetoric outpaces action. By prioritizing education, enforcing CFC-free standards, and scaling community efforts, Pakistan can tackle these silent killers and build a resilient future.