Project Brief:

Agricultural residue burning remains a significant environmental challenge in Pakistan, particularly in rice-growing regions. This practice contributes to various health and environmental issues, including smog. Despite policy efforts to address the issue, residue burning continues for multiple reasons. There is limited application of scientific tools such as environmental life cycle assessment (e-LCA), cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and social assessments in shaping national strategies. Given the complexity of smog and residue burning, a comprehensive and multidimensional study is needed. This study should holistically cover the social, economic, environmental, and policy aspects of the problem to identify sustainable and scalable solutions and to formulate data-driven policy recommendations. This project will assess existing and alternative rice residue management practices using e-LCA, CBA, and social assessments to identify scenarios that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially acceptable.  

Public Policy Relevance:

The proposed research aims to enhance the policy framework for agricultural residue management and smog reduction. It seeks to provide actionable insights, foster interdisciplinary connections, and promote a transition toward a more inclusive and evidence-based approach to sustainable agriculture and environmental management.