Design/methodology/approach

- Total five variables are used in this study that is GDP, population density, water renewable resources, deforestation and the emissions of CO2, based on tome-series data from 1972-2016. The annual data is collected from World Development Indicators, Food and Agriculture Organization, and Pakistan Economic Survey. VECM technique is applied to find out the long run results.

Findings -

Results depict that all variables have a negative and significant relationship over the long run at 5% level of significance. It is observed that a 1% increase in population accordingly will degrade GDP by 0.334496%. Correspondingly, a 1% increase of water renewable resources will degrade GDP by 0.450647%. Findings are aligning with the study. Moreover, 1% increase in deforestation will diminish GDP by 0.127821%. If we increase 1% CO2, GDP will be reduced by 0.802420%.

Practical research implications -

Family planning may be our last hope. Viable and fruitful family planning ought to be introduced. Status of ladies should be brought up in the society by providing education and employment opportunities. Time of marriage ought to be brought up to 25 years in case of males and 23 in case of females; this can help in decreasing the number of births. Having a large population will not automatically translate into economic prosperity. Investment in well-being, education, sound economic policies and good governance will bring about accelerated economic growth.

Originality/value

- In recent years, the issue of worldwide water shortage has attracted increasing consideration within the scholarly community, non-administrative organizations and the media. Water shortage is a significant and ever-increasing danger to the environment, human wellbeing, advancement, energy security, and the worldwide food supply. This work will introduce real issues and requirements relating to water, environmental changes and their impact on the economic growth of Pakistan.