Category: Blog

Context

Green technologies are transforming agriculture, by enhancing the efficiency of farming practices and making it more environmentally friendly, and resilient to climate change. They provide sustainable solutions for environmental challenges and facilitate a green economy. With global agricultural emissions reaching 5.86 gigaton of CO₂e in 2021—representing 12.16% of total global emissions—the urgency for sustainable solutions is growing greater. Countries across the world have been adopting green technologies to transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

https://www.climatewatchdata.org/sectors/agriculture

This blog explores global best practices in sustainable agriculture and how Pakistan can leverage similar solutions to mitigate its air quality crisis, which is exacerbated by the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its agricultural sector.

Green Technology – Pakistan vs the World 

Pakistan faces a unique set of challenges. Urban air pollution results in an economic loss of Rs. 65 billion per year, resulting in a deterioration of the socioeconomic progress of the country. The country’s air pollution is largely attributed to vehicular fumes, industry emissions, agriculture and brick kilns, with agricultural emissions contributing to 20% of the province’s overall air pollution. While rice stubble burning after harvest is a cost-effective practice for farmers, it is also one of the primary sources of agricultural pollution, releasing smoke and pollutants such as PM2.5 in the air, and harming soil quality.

Similar agricultural challenges have been resolved effectively in other countries. For example, China, one of the world’s largest agricultural economies, faced a comparable problem of producing up to 1 billion tonnes of crop residue annually. Until the early 2000s, most of this residue was burned, resulting in 9 million tonnes of GHG emissions each year. In response, the government launched green initiatives to transform its farm waste management, by processing millions of tonnes of crop residue into clean energy via biogas plants. This not only reduced China’s GHG emissions but also supported the country’s transition towards green energy.

Pakistan also has the potential to transition towards a greener economy, as the country could generate approximately 28 million m3 of biogas on a daily basis, meeting over 50% of its power needs. In 2009, the Pakistan Domestic Biogas Programme aimed to install 300,000 biogas units across the country was initiated, but it only installed 5,360 units by 2014 (there is no available data on whether these plants are still functional today or how many more have been installed under this programme). Thus, much of Pakistan’s abundant supply of biomass still remains untapped, and has yet to be sustainably integrated into its energy mix. In order to mitigate its agricultural emissions crisis, the country needs to upscale biogas plant installations and integrate this green fuel into its energy mix.

Another relevant global best practice example is that of Denmark, which also struggled with high GHG emissions from its livestock and farming sector. Its government launched a “Green Growth” Initiative, driven by Denmark’s Climate Act – a legally binding framework with year-wise targets for sector-specific measures for a green transition. The country pushed both its public and private sector towards achieving strict environmental goals. As a result, Denmark met its 2020 emissions target ahead of time, and has legally bound itself to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

In contrast, Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have set a  “cumulative conditional target” to reduce 50% of its projected emissions, by 2030. However, the country aims to achieve only 15% of this emissions target via its own capital, and 35% is contingent on international finance. Additionally, the country lacks sector-specific targets, as well as a legally-binding framework for meeting its emissions goal. This results in policy inaction and weak policy implementation. Therefore, in order to ensure progress is made towards achieving its NDCs, the government must enact stringent climate laws and regulations that are aligned towards its long-term policy goals for each sector. It should also conduct robust monitoring and evaluation of its climate action initiatives, and promote public and private sector partnerships for climate finance and investment.

Brazil provides another example of successfully tackling GHG emissions in its agricultural sector. Between 2010 and 2015, Brazil reduced 80% of its permitted land for pre-harvest burning, resulting in a significant decrease in health illnesses such as hospitalizations and respiratory diseases. It offered farmers credit for investments into sustainable agricultural technologies, such as the adoption of mechanised harvesting equipment and promoting the sustainable use of sugarcane residue for bioenergy production.

Pakistan still has a long way to go when it comes to integrating green technology into  its farming practices. To combat air pollution, the government introduced the Happy Seeder – a device that allows farmers to mechanically remove rice stubble after its harvest, which incentivizes them against stubble burning. In order to reduce pollutant emissions, the government has supported the transition from conventional brick kilns to eco-friendly zig-zag kilns across Punjab.

As per an ongoing IGC study on “Can subsidising green agricultural technology reduce smog?”, Rice Straw Shredders and Happy Seeders (RSS-HS) machines have the capacity to reduce GHG emissions, improve soil productivity and fertility. However, some barriers that prevent the adoption of green technology in Pakistan include high initial costs of equipment, limited awareness on how to utilise the technology, and lack of long-term policy frameworks for green initiatives. Literature suggests that subsidies for green technology have a positive impact on the use of that technology, as farmers are unlikely to adopt it without financial support.  Pakistan can facilitate farmers by subsidizing green technology to reduce crop residue burning and GHG emissions. Increasing financial subsidies for farmers to adopt green technology and simultaneously increasing training programs for giving farmers the awareness and training for its proper utilisation, can have a positive impact on efforts to decrease crop burning.

Currently, Pakistan ranks amongst the worst countries in the world when it comes to gender equity. According to the “Global Gender Gap Report 2024” which was published by World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan ranked 145th out of 146 countries on the gender parity index in the year 2024. Where the average gender gap in the world is declining, it has only been increasing further in Pakistan as women’s participation rate in the labour force has been declining further. It dropped from 24% in 2016 to 22% in 2021 and is well below the rates for countries with similar income levels. Despite women having a university degree in Pakistan, only about 25% of them are currently working outside their homes.

Pakistan is severely steeped in traditional norms and customs, with pronounced gender disparity, ensuring that societal norms and safety concerns that limit women’s mobility within the country are unfortunately sustained. In many urban areas, women frequently experience limited access to secure and dependable public transportation systems, limiting their ability to seek education and work outside their homes. Safety remains a major concern as episodes of harassment, catcalling, and assault on various modes of transportation contribute to feeling unsafe for women during their everyday commutes.  Furthermore, rural communities have fewer transportation options, limiting women’s access to growth and prosperity. It is the need of the hour to realize that men and women travel in different ways and have distinct demands, therefore their perceptions of space and navigation vary vastly. As a result, understanding women’s travel demands is critical to bridge the mobility gap in gender inclusion. Public transportation offers an affordable means for women to travel. However, according to research (Sajjad et al., 2017), women face numerous challenges related to safety, harassment, and concerns about their social reputation when using public transport which differ across various modes of public transportation. In contrast, private transportation services offer better accessibility and safety, but are more expensive than public transportation and do not attract public transit users, particularly females (Singh, 2020).

Public and Private Transportation for Women in Pakistan 

(Amber , Beyene Chichaibelu , & Hussain , 2023) worked on a policy brief by the International Growth Center (IGC) focusing on private and public transportation for women in Pakistan where Lahore was selected as the area of study to analyze the impact of transportation services on female labour force participation. Lahore has a wide array of public transport being used that consist of the Lahore metro bus, the orange line, speedo buses, wagons and motorcycle rickshaws and private transportation consisting of ride-hailing (Uber, Careem, inDrive), taxis and auto rickshaws. Using the synthetic control method (Abadie & Gerdeazabal, 2003) and labour force surveys from 1990-2020, they assessed the impact of metro bus and ride-hailing services on females’ labour force participation. They constructed a synthetic control series comparing it to the actual Lahore series, using data from 28 cities from all provinces till 2018 since the orange line train was launched in 2020. The Lahore metro bus system was inaugurated in 2013, providing 10 years of pre-intervention data. Further, the ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem were launched in Lahore and other cities around 2015-2016. However, since there was no Labour Force Survey conducted that year, 2014 was considered as the intervention year.

The results showed that the FLFP rates in the synthetic Lahore closely follow the trail of the real Lahore. The impact of the metro bus system is shown in Figure 1, left panel where the difference between the synthetic Lahore and actual Lahore shows the increase in the FLFP rates after the introduction of the metro bus system. This proves that metro buses provide an accessible and economical means of transportation, especially for women that are travelling for employment. And secondly, the presence of security personnel at metro stations along with sitting areas dedicated to women alone, somewhat reduces security concerns for women travelling. However, no such positive impact was observed of the ride-hailing services on FLFP (right panel, Figure 1).

Figure 1:
Female labour force participation in Lahore and synthetic Lahore under metro bus system and ride-hailing specifications. (IGC, Policy Brief 2023)

Public Transport or Ride-hailing: The better option?

In Pakistan, female market behaviour is driven mostly by necessity rather than intent, thus such ride-hailing services are ineffective in this situation as their customers come from high-income households. The analysis further showed that most of the women interviewed consider travelling via public transportation affordable and manageable. Whereas women using ride-hailing services consider it as an expensive option, but manageable if they have high-income.

Another important aspect is accessibility when it comes to transportation services. Most of the women considered their spatial position a significant influence on the kind of transportation they chose to avail. This suggests that the area they live in significantly determines their employment. While several women have access to metro stations within walking distance, others have to avail alternative options such as rickshaws and speedo buses. Thus, infrastructure challenges remain a major hindrance towards women’s mobility. Lastly, Metro buses are less time-consuming in terms of frequency and a dedicated route, whereas ride-hailing services often suffer from traffic jams and lack of availability on some routes.

Increasing female economic empowerment via public transport: Future Direction 

When addressing women’s mobility constraints, it is important to consider accessibility, affordability, and safety. Thus, there needs to be improvement in accessibility of public transportation and adding feeder routes in areas where there is a high probability of female work force leading to effective and time-saving modes of transportation. There is a need to increase safety and protection of female passengers in public transports, which can be achieved by increasing monitoring and reporting on these buses and increasing the number of female transport personnel. Encouraging the participation of women in the decision-making process related to transport infrastructure planning and design will further increase the chances of safety concerns being addressed when designing public transport.

For ride-hailing services, it is important to introduce more affordable services that cater to female employees. As part of the initiative, employers can offer vouchers and discounts as part of their employee benefits. There is a need to introduce apps that can work on basic mobile phones, not limiting to females that only have smartphones. Lastly, encouraging female ride-hailers will further encourage female passengers to opt for ride-hailing services.

Bibliography

Amber , H., Beyene Chichaibelu , B., & Hussain , A. (2023 ). Driving economic empowerment: Harnessing public and private transportation for women in Pakistan . IGC .

World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Gender Gap 2024. 

Zahid, R. (2023). Transportation Challenges for Women in Pakistan. Retrieved from Imarat Institute of Policy Studies : https://iips.com.pk/transportation-challenges-for-women-in-pakistan/

Zulfiqar, F. (2020). Public Transportation System and Female Mobility in Pakistan. Retrieved from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

Introduction

Child malnutrition is a significant public health concern in Pakistan, particularly in low-income areas of Punjab. This blog explores the relationship between female empowerment and child malnutrition rates. It looks at the concept of female empowerment from a mobility lens in Pakistani culture; its limitations, and the subsequent impact on access to essential resources for women and children. It also analyzes how limited access to such basic resources leads to a high prevalence of child malnutrition in Pakistan. Finally, this blog explores how efforts to empower women and enhance their mobility can contribute to a decrease in child malnutrition rates.

Restricted Mobility; A barrier to Empowerment

According to the European Institute of Gender Equality, women’s empowerment encompasses self-worth, autonomy, equal access, personal agency, and the power to shape society. In Pakistani culture, women generally do not enjoy the same freedoms and position in society as their male counterparts do; this trend is more salient in low-income areas. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024, which is a comprehensive gender equality assessment conducted by the World Economic Forum, ranked Pakistan 146th out of 147 countries on gender parity. This highlights the significant gender disparities in Pakistan. With regards to gender disparities, labor force participation is a good indicator of female inclusion thus portraying empowerment. “The overall labor force participation rate (LFPR) of women in Pakistan at 21% stands well below the global percentage at 39%. At the national level, the refined LFPR of women (aged 15-64 years) is very low at 26% compared to 84% for men” (unwomen.org).

The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women defines female mobility as a woman’s unrestricted freedom to move within and beyond her home, community, or country without facing threats or obstacles. This includes the ability to access transportation, move freely in public spaces, and travel for work or education. Women’s freedom of movement is intrinsically linked to their overall empowerment in Pakistan. While progress has been made, deeply rooted cultural norms, safety concerns, and inadequate transportation systems continue to restrict women’s ability to fully participate in society, limiting their access to education, employment, and healthcare.

Consequently, women may be unable to seek timely medical attention for themselves or their children, leading to poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of child malnutrition. Moreover, limited mobility can isolate women from support networks and hinder their ability to participate in community decision-making processes. Participation in key matters is vital as women are primary caregivers with a deep understanding of children’s needs. Their involvement in healthcare improves decision-making, promotes health education, and ensures better child outcomes.

This lack of agency can further perpetuate cycles of poverty and malnutrition. Addressing the issue of female mobility is crucial for improving the overall health and well-being of women and children in Pakistan. Efforts to empower women and promote gender equality must include strategies to enhance their mobility and access to essential services.

Malnourishment Crisis in Pakistan

Child malnutrition is a severe health condition affecting children who don’t receive adequate nutrients from their diet. This can manifest as undernutrition, where children consume insufficient food or essential nutrients, leading to stunted growth, wasting, or being underweight. Conversely, overnutrition occurs when children consume excessive calories and unhealthy fats, resulting in obesity. Both forms of malnutrition have detrimental long-term consequences for children’s physical and mental development. According to UNICEF stunting is a complex issue stemming from both insufficient and inadequate nutrition, among frequent infections and poor sanitation.

Pakistan, as a developing country, faces a severe malnutrition crisis, with alarming rates of stunting and wasting among children.” Nearly 10 million Pakistani children suffer from stunting” (unicef.org)

The graph below starkly contrasts the global and Pakistani rates of child stunting rates among children under five, with Pakistan exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence, underscoring a critical issue for children’s welfare in the country.

For the last decade, stunting rates in children under age 5 have been far greater than the worldwide average as can be seen in the graph. This is not due to any one single factor, rather it is, in most cases, a cumulation of multiple aspects. One of these major factors is the lack of access to clean drinking water. Albeit, there isn’t a direct link between malnourishment and drinking water, it plays an important role as a vector for various water-borne diseases “Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio” (World Health Organization).

Drinking contaminated water impairs the body’s ability to retain nutrients essential for growth; rather than being absorbed, they are excreted out of the body either through vomiting or diarrhea. This is a serious problem in Pakistan, as “53,000 Pakistani children under age 5 die annually from diarrhea due to poor water and sanitation” (unicef.org). Additionally, the United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that around 70% of the households in Pakistan drink bacterially contaminated water which means children living in these households have a higher susceptibility to water-borne diseases and are consequently at a higher risk for malnourishment.

Empowerment: A Better Path to Nutrition

Female empowerment is essential for effectively managing Pakistan’s complex malnutrition problem, especially when it comes to the vital element of accessing safe drinking water. Empowering women with increased mobility and the agency to fight for increased access to clean water sources is crucial for minimizing the incidence of water-borne illnesses in their children. Moreover, women with higher levels of education are more likely to recognize the significance of cleanliness, hygiene, and clean water for general health. Hence, increasing female mobility in terms of their access to education at a young age has far-reaching positive impacts on the female herself as well as her future family. In short “improvement in women’s empowerment s are expected to lead to the well-being of children in the form of reduction in their nutritional status” (ghrp.com).

The Global Health Research and Policy advocates for individuals to become financially independent, thus enabling them to make investments in water filtration systems or support neighborhood-based projects to guarantee a steady supply of safe drinking water for their families and communities. To further combat malnutrition, women’s leadership in community development is essential. It is possible to give vulnerable groups’ needs—such as those of children and expectant mothers—priority by incorporating women in decision-making processes about resource allocation and water management. Empowered women are better able to carry out nutrition programs, encourage breastfeeding, and make sure that kids have access to wholesome food and clean water. Pakistan needs to address malnutrition holistically if it is to become a healthier and more just society.

Conclusion

Albeit, the statistics paint a bleak picture, there is hope. In the struggle against child malnourishment, it is possible to utilize a potent weapon by empowering women in Pakistan. Women who have greater mobility and use it to seek employment can take advantage of their financial security by making health and nutritional investments for their children, whether it may be as simple as immunization or drinking filtered water. Women can become advocates for constructive change in their communities when they receive education about good nutrition and hygiene habits.

The way forward requires a multi-pronged approach. Investments in public transportation infrastructure and cultural awareness campaigns promoting gender equality can increase female mobility. Educational programs focused on nutrition and sanitation, coupled with initiatives to support women’s leadership in community development, will equip women with the knowledge and agency to break the cycle of malnutrition. In short, by prioritizing female empowerment, Pakistan can build a healthier future for mothers and children alike.

Tashfeen Faisal is a student at Lahore Grammar School – International. He was part of the first cohort of CDPR’s Mentorship Program. 

Sources

“Empowerment of Women.” European Institute for Gender Equality, 17 July 2024, eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/thesaurus/terms/1246?language_content_entity=en. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

“LinkedIn.” Linkedin.com, 2024, www.linkedin.com/pulse/pakistan-faces-challenges-gender-parity-world-forum-global-jahangir-9kxyf/. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024. https://pakistan.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/summary_-nrsw-inl_final.pdf

World Bank. (2022). Pakistan Development Update: Harnessing the Demographic Dividend. [Report]. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://pcsw.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/overcoming.pdf

“4 Things You Need to Know about Water and Famine.” Unicef.org, 2022, www.unicef.org/stories/4-things-you-need-know-about-water-and-famine#:~:text=Unsafe%20water%20can%20cause%20diarrhoea,to%20waterborne%20diseases%20like%20cholera. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

World. “Drinking-Water.” Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 13 Sept. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water#:~:text=Contaminated%20water%20and%20poor%20sanitation,individuals%20to%20preventable%20health%20risks. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

Yaya, Sanni, et al. “What Does Women’s Empowerment Have to Do with Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys from 30 Countries.” Global Health Research and Policy, vol. 5, no. 1, BioMed Central, Jan. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-019-0129-8. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

“Nutrition.” Unicef.org, 2017, www.unicef.org/pakistan/nutrition-0. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
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In recent years Lahore has consistently ranked as the most polluted city in the world; the poor air quality has become a national health emergency significantly increasing the incidence of cardiovascular issues and has resulted in the shortening of an average Lahori’s life expectancy by six years. Unchecked expansion of the city due to rapid urbanization coupled with poor urban planning has led to the degreening of Lahore. A city previously known as the “City of Gardens” has lost 75% of its green cover in the last 10 years. Moreover, the UN Population Division has predicted that by 2025 nearly half of Pakistan’s population will be living in cities and Lahore’s population is expected to rise to 10 million from 7 million. This rising population density will amplify the pressure on existing resources and consequent environmental degradation. Hence it is crucial to take action now to limit the expected adverse impacts this rapid urban growth will have and to ensure that Lahore grows into a resilient city.

International Commitments

The realization that practices which compromise environmental integrity will have disastrous consequences came long before the crisis reached its current crescendo. This is reflected in the State’s decision to become a signatory to several international treaties that aim to curtail the climate disaster. Pakistan has signed the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climates Change (UNFCCC), the objective of which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Additionally Pakistan has ratified the Paris Agreement and is hence committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan is party to the 2001 Stockholm Convention, which is a global treaty to protect human health and environment from Persistent Organic Pollution (POP). Pakistan has also joined the global community being a party to the 1985 Vienna Convention on Protection of Ozone Layer hence having agreed to adopt “appropriate measures” to prevent activities that harm the ozone layer. Pakistan is additionally a signatory of 1990 International Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation; a framework designed to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in preparing for major pollution incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances, i.e. chemicals. Moreover, Pakistan has committed to achieving UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which SDG 3.9: (Reduce illness & death from Air, Water & Soil Pollution) and SDG 11.6 (Reduce Environmental Impacts caused by Air Pollution) are focused towards environmental protection.

Local Commitments

The State does not only have international obligations to take immediate action, but an immense responsibility to fulfill the basic rights of the people of Pakistan. Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan which evokes the fundamental right to security “no person shall be deprived of life or liberty, save in accordance with the law” and Article 14 which evokes the fundamental right to dignity “The dignity of man and, subject to law, the privacy of home, shall be inviolable” necessitate that actions be taken to liberate the very basic element of life which is access to clean air and environment.

Efforts to incite affirmative action at a local level have been ongoing since the 1990s. A brief history of policies and legal proceedings is discussed in the following section.

In 1997 the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) came into effect, through which the 1983 Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance was repealed, to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating environmental protection . The Act principally made provisions for administration of matters affecting the environment and, marginally, for environmental impact assessment and the handling of hazardous matters. It also defined environmental offenses and prescribed penalties for those offenses. Moreover, it created federal and provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) to implement and supervise the rules and regulations under the Act. Consequent to the Act, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) was created at the federal level. In December 1999 the PEPC revised the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and adjusted them based on Pakistan’s conditions and practice in South Asia; these standards became effective in August 2000. The following year, in 2001, the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) came into effect as an umbrella programme to address environmental concerns in a holistic manner. Some of the major achievements of NEAP included development of policies and strategies like National Environmental Policy (2005) and the National Sanitation Policy (2006).

In 2001 a public interest litigation, the first of several future litigations, was filed by Mansoor Ali Shah and three other people which resulted in the formulation of the Lahore Clean Air Commission. The commission presented its extensive list of recommendations six years later in 2007. The recommendations included that the provincial government introduce 4-stroke rickshaw engines, expand public transport, and adopt Euro II, Euro III, and Euro IV fuel and emission standards for motor vehicles. The Lahore High Court accepted these recommendations and directed the Punjab Government to implement them.

In 2009, the quality of drinking water in Pakistan was found to be extremely poor with bacterial contamination, lead, arsenic, fluoride and nitrate and resulted in the formulation of the National Drinking Water Policy. In 2012 the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), which was considered to be a landmark in the Climate Change response in Pakistan, was approved. The policy comprehensively addressed all possible challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation; and was sure to provide a rock solid foundational framework for ensuring climate change action plans, programs and projects.

In 2015, another public interest petition on smog and clean air was filed by Imrana Tiwana and Colleagues. The following year in 2016 yet another public interest petition on smog by Walid Iqbal was filed. Consequently, in 2017, a smog commission, chaired by the eminent lawyer Parvez Hassan, was made; in its recommendations the commission proposed an action plan to control smog. The Commission made a number of recommendations in May 2018 including the immediate adoption and implementation of the Punjab Clean Air Action Plan, establishing Smog Response Desks at district levels, adoption of appropriate technologies that reduce emissions of harmful pollutants from brick kilns. Unfortunately, implementation, if at all done, has been weak.

The following year, in 2018, the Punjab Water Policy was notified. The objective of this Policy was to provide clear policy directions to the Government of Punjab on the sustainable management and development of water from all sources of water, for all sub-sectors of water use and for all regions at the basin level through equitable water allocations, management and development. Emissions data indicates that 46% of Pakistan’s emissions come from the transportation sector; hence In 2019, the National Electric Vehicle Policy was developed to mitigate the airborne emissions. In 2021 the National Climate Change Policy was updated with the goal to ensure that climate change is mainstreamed in the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the economy and to steer Pakistan towards climate compatible development. It includes policy measures to address issues in various sectors such as water, agriculture, forestry, coastal areas, biodiversity and other vulnerable ecosystems. Furthermore, the updated Policy document has been designed in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Sustainable Development Goals and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Hence, appropriate measures relating to disaster preparedness, capacity building, institutional strengthening; technology transfer and international cooperation have also been incorporated as important components of the Policy.

In 2022, as a result of a case pending before the Honourable Lahore High Court, a Judicial Water and Environmental Commission was formed which convenes each week. The commission’s goal is to protect the Fundamental Right to Life of the Public, to ensure that the Government Functionaries implement the Directions given for the safeguarding of the environment, in view of scarcity of natural resources and climate change. The National Hazardous Waste Management Policy was also ratified in 2022. In 2023, the National Clean Air Policy was updated in 2023. In the same year, the National Adaptation Plan was developed. The plan provides a framework for implementing adaptation, promoting inclusivity, and facilitating collaboration among different stakeholders, and serves as an effective tool for climate finance mobilization. The plan lays out an adaptation strategy and priorities in seven key areas: the agriculture–water nexus; natural capital; urban resilience; human capital; disaster risk management; and gender, youth, and social inclusion.

Despite the existence of such extensive and holistic policies, decades later major stakeholders and interest groups continue to congregate in meeting after meeting, discussing the same issues and coming up with recommendations and action plans. This indicates that there is a major lag in the ability to implement, monitor and impose checks and balances. As illustrated above Pakistan has no dearth of strong rules and regulations but unfortunately these rules operate within a very weak institutional set up. Therefore, it is imperative that strict enforcement mechanisms are put in place. Additionally to manage rapid urbanization, strategic planning and sound management are needed; this will require a concerted and coordinated effort from the national and local governments, ideally in partnership with the private sector. This collaborative exercise should aim to formulate and implement a national urbanization strategy which prioritizes maintenance of cities’ environmental integrity.

The time for conversing about the climate crisis is long past us, it is now absolutely essential for all interest groups to come together and with renewed vigor and an unwavering sense of purpose act as a collective to exert pressure on state institutions to take the necessary actions to make Lahore and the rest of Pakistan’s cities more liveable.

This blog is based on the discussion at a policy dialogue event hosted by CDPR which explored the future of Lahore. Participants included architects, government representatives, urban planners, academics and representatives from advocacy groups. This was the first in a series of talks on the future of Lahore and served as a scoping session to identify key aspects which are pivotal to the city’s growth and development.

Emun Hafeez is a Senior Research Associate at the Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR).