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Pakistan Decides Against New Coal-fired Power

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Saturday that
   his country would have no new coal-fired power generation as part of
   its contribution in global efforts against climate change.

   Khan gave details of the substantial undertaking while addressing the
   international Climate Ambition Summit 2020, held virtually because of
   the coronavirus pandemic.

   The United Nations, United Kingdom, France, Chile and Italy hosted the
   event, bringing world leaders together to press for greater efforts in
   curbing global warming.

   "We have decided we will not have any more power based on coal," Khan
   told the summit. "We have already scrapped two coal power projects,
   which were supposed to produce 2,600 megawatts of energy, and replaced
   it by hydroelectricity."

   By 2030, Khan said, 60% of all energy produced in Pakistan will be
   clean and obtained through renewable resources, while 30% of all
   vehicles will run on electricity.

   The prime minister said that while Pakistan accounts for less than 1%
   of global carbon emissions, it is the "fifth most vulnerable" to
   effects of climate change, citing data from the 2019 Global Climate
   Risk Index report.

   "I assure you that Pakistan will be doing its best to make its
   contribution to mitigate the effects of climate change," Khan said.

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