Environmental Governance in Pakistan: Strengthening Institutions and Policies

Abstract

Environmental governance in Pakistan operates within a decentralized framework established by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) of 1997, bolstered by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. This ministry coordinates national climate efforts through key instruments, including the Updated National Climate Change Policy (2021), National Adaptation Plan (2023), National Clean Air Plan (2023), and Pakistan's Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), submitted in September 2025 to the UNFCCC. The NDC 3.0 commits to reducing projected greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 (17% unconditional and 33% conditional on international support), alongside achieving 60% renewable energy by 2030, with an estimated investment need of USD 565.7 billion. The 18th Constitutional Amendment devolved environmental responsibilities to provinces, yet challenges persist, including institutional fragmentation across federal and provincial entities, weak law enforcement, limited technical and financial capacity in Environmental Protection Agencies, inadequate monitoring (covering only about 30% of projects), overlapping mandates, and climate finance below 0.5% of GDP against requirements of 2-3%. Pakistan's acute vulnerability contributing <1% to global emissions is amplified by recurrent disasters, such as the devastating 2022 floods and intensified 2025 monsoon floods causing over 1,000 deaths, mass displacement, agricultural losses exceeding USD 1 billion, and infrastructure damage. Notable progress includes the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, mangrove conservation, electric vehicle policies, provincial clean air plans, and international collaborations like the UK-Pakistan Green Compact (£35 million in 2025) for climate resilience and clean energy. The National Climate Finance Strategy (2024) aims to mobilize resources and enhance transparency. Strengthening governance requires improved inter-governmental coordination, capacity building for enforcement and environmental tribunals, transparent funding via mechanisms like the National Climate Finance Strategy, robust data and monitoring systems, enhanced public-private participation, integration of safeguards into projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and prioritized global climate finance access to foster resilient, low-carbon, and equitable development amid escalating climate risks.

Keywords: Environmental governance, Pakistan, PEPA 1997, NDC 3.0, climate finance, institutional fragmentation, climate resilience, floods 2025, renewable energy, CPEC