World Environment Day marked the release of a pivotal report on Karachi’s air pollution, titled “Karachi Emissions Inventory – A Scientific Basis for a Clean Air City”.

This initiative, spearheaded by Bank Alfalah in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) and the Karachi Urban Lab (KUL) of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), aims to address the city’s pressing environmental challenges.

The report, drawing from data collected by 13 newly installed air quality monitors funded by Bank Alfalah, provides a detailed analysis of pollution sources in Karachi. These monitors, placed in heavily populated areas such as Saddar, Korangi, Gadap, North Nazimabad, and Clifton, have detected harmful gases including PM2.5, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, all known to impact public health.

Findings reveal that Karachi annually emits approximately 394.82 kilotons of pollutants. Industries are responsible for 49% of these emissions, while transportation contributes 33%. The reliance on sulfur-rich fuels for power generation accounts for 30% of sulfur dioxide emissions. Residential sources, however, contribute minimally due to the city”s warm climate.

The launch event at IBA featured notable speakers such as Abid Qamar of PAQI, Madiha Javed Qureshi from Bank Alfalah, and environmentalist Afia Salam. During the event, Bank Alfalah announced its partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to promote sustainable practices like waste management and efficient water use as part of its green banking initiative.