Pakistan in the recent years has come to terms with several unexpected natural disasters. These events were inimical to infrastructure and livelihoods. Thousands of people have been injured, displaced and killed because of unforeseen floods, droughts, and cyclones. Such natural hazards are a stark reminder of the fact that Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is ranked 33rd overall on the index and 8th on the list of 10 countries most affected by climate change from 1998 to 2017.

A report by the United Nations Environment Programme avers the increasing population to be putting extreme pressure on the environment. It states that urban areas are being affected more. Contributing factors include an increasing population concentration, meaning higher population density, agglomeration economies and higher energy usage in these areas. In Pakistan, majority of the energy generated is through thermal power plants. Resultantly, the average temperature in Pakistan is rising due to higher greenhouse gases’ emissions. Atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas, has risen from 280 ppm in 1750 to 410 ppm in 2018. Other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, have also recorded a rise in their atmospheric concentrations.

Additionally, forest loss has halved over the past 30 years according to the 2015 Global Forest Resources Assessment. Between 1990 and 2015, global forest area declined by 3%, but the rate of loss has halved between the 1990s and the past decade. This is indicative of people using the available resources more responsibly and sustainably because of awareness regarding deforestation and its consequences. However, the rate of deforestation in Pakistan during the last decade of the previous century was greater than other countries in the same income group. It is indicative that economic growth will not help Pakistan grow out its environmental problems and so effective policy and private initiatives need to be introduced.

Forests provide clean water, sequester and store carbon, provide timber and non-timber forest products. Forests are a valuable habitat for animal and plants species as well. Tropical forests, while covering only 15% of the global land area, contain over 50% of land animals and plants. The area of land covered by forest and trees is therefore an important indicator of a country’s environmental condition.

Over the years, the phenomenon of urbanization has picked up pace and seems to be gaining impetus. According to the 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects, by 2050, 68 percent of the world population is expected to reside in urban areas. Many economists, such as William Alonso (1968) Luisito Bertinelli (2002), Duncan Black (2004), and international organizations, The World Bank (2009), have unanimously harmonized the strong nexus between urbanization and growth. Urbanization leads wealth creation and opportunities leading to prosperity through development of the socio-economic spheres. However, despite its benefits, urbanization, if unplanned, may entail some serious costs towards the living standards of its citizens and the urban area’s environment. Environment is one of the pillars of sustainable development. It is therefore crucial to have a well devised framework for urbanization management, to effectively minimize adverse impact on the environment.

Cities have to play a greater role in climate change mitigation. The reason behind is their greater contribution in emissions of greenhouse gases, and deforestation; along with degradation in urban environment impacting health and economic wellbeing of the larger population residing in urban centers. Similarly, Pakistani cities are contributing to the country’s economic growth at the cost of environmental degradation. An analysis of Pakistan’s environment was conducted by the Asian Development Bank, which identifies pollution and waste management as two pressing concerns within the country. The report dubs both issues to be linked with urbanization and being generated by cities specifically. Pollution has increased over the years due to growing energy consumption and a consequent dependence on fossil fuels. This coupled with the increasing number of vehicles emitting hazardous fumes has led to deterioration of air quality. Industries create problems in both domains. In Pakistan, safe methods of waste disposal are not implemented which leads to contamination of air and water. Another environmental concern for Pakistan is biodiversity. During the last century, Pakistan has lost several species of flora and fauna.

In this context, 11th Sustainable Development Goal, under United Nations agenda, stands for making cities more-safe, resilient and sustainable. Consequently, efforts are being made globally to endorse urban development models that focus on investing in green infrastructure such as forests, wetlands and other green spaces. In 2008, the Trust for Public Land Center for City Park Excellence published a report claiming that Philadelphia, experienced $16 million in annual public cost savings as a result of storm water management and air pollution reduction through trees and vegetation in urban parks. One such effort of establishing green urban spaces goes with the name of ‘Urban Forestry’. Urban Forestry focuses on managing individual as well as group of trees for economic, social and physiologic well-being of urban dwellers (Grey and Deneke, 1986). We further discuss the idea in this policy brief and assess the viability of establishing such green spaces within urban centers in Pakistan.