Click here to go to the following issues:
Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |Pakistan
Click here to go to these sections:
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development is responsible for policy decisions on various issues concerning the environment. The Pakistan Environment Protection Council (PEPC) also exists in the Ministry under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Some of the major functions of the PEPC include enforcement of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1996; and the formulation of National Environmental Policies. In order to promote environmental protection, the Government created the federal Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development and its technical branches Pak-EPA; four Provincial Departments of Environment, and EPAs. To cope with the environmental situation, EPAs need to be strengthened and well equipped.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan operations have focused on the development and the implementation of the National Conservation Strategy (NCS). The World Wide Fund (WWF), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Rotary Club are other major groups.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
In order to accelerate sustainable development, both local financing and foreign
funding are arranged through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Division. In
addition, bilateral and regional cooperation to finance environmental projects is also
undertaken. However, the availability of foreign funding has been a problem in the past.
Cooperation
To meet the challenges of environment and development in Pakistan, the Government has
decided to support and establish a viable and working new global partnership in the
social, economic and environmental dimensions. Pakistan began paying priority attention to
the protection of the environment soon after the Conference on Human Environment in
Stockholm in 1972. As Chair of G-77, Pakistan played a leading role at the UN Conference
on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio in 1992. Pakistan is one of a handful of
developing countries to prepare a comprehensive National Conservation Strategy (NCS) in
1992 in cooperation with national and international organizations. To achieve the goal of
environmental protection, Pakistan has signed international agreements, i.e., the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1994; Montreal Protocol on Ozone
Depleting Substances; Basel Convention on Biological Diversity, 1994; International
Convention to Combat Desertification, 1994. Pakistan has been quite successful in
cooperating with international agencies, e.g., UNIDO, EU, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCAP, ECO, SAARC.
SACEP.
In the regional context, Pakistan is working in close cooperation with regional
organizations such as the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), South
Asia Cooperative Environment Programmes (SACEP), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECC),
United National Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A number of joint activities have been
initiated and are being implemented successfully. To protect the marine environment from
land-based activities, a regional Seas Programme of UNEP/SACEP is underway. Pakistan
participated in the environmental Management Seminar organized by SACEP in Sri Lanka.
* * *
This information is based on Pakistan's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Cooperation
In pursuance of the Uruguay Agreement, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has come into existence. The first Ministerial Conference of the WTP was held recently. Pakistan actively participated in the meeting.
* * *
This information is based on Pakistan's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
One of the fourteen core issues in the National Conservation Strategy (NCS) is Increasing Energy Efficiency. In 1987, the Ministry of Environment, Urban Affairs, Wildlife and Forestry set up the autonomous Energy Conservation Centre (ENERCON), responsible for energy conservation and energy efficiency.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Annual Energy Conservation Targets in Percentage (1996-2000):
| Sector | 1996-1997 | 1997-1998 | 1998-1999 | 1999-2000 |
| Industry | 1.6% | 3.3% | 4.6% | 5.5% |
| Transport | t 1.5% | 3.0% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Buildings | 1.1% | 2.3% | 3.2% | 3.8% |
| Agriculture | 1.2% | 2.5% | 3.4% | 4.2% |
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
The Ministry of Environment, Urban Affairs, Wildlife and Forestry and
ENERCON have initiated programmes to promote efficient energy use. Pilot projects in
Karachi and Faisalabad have been proposed. These projects will produce 500 to 1000
kilowatts. The Government has also implemented a programme to audit the energy efficiency
of water pumps. The programme includes training of local workshop mechanics, testing
facilities and pilot projects.
Status
Energy savings of US$ 18 million have already been
realized. ENERCON has conducted 52 detailed energy audits and 85 preliminary audits.
Challenges
Inefficient use currently results from essentially three sources:
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
ENERCON has developed a Home Energy Conservation Seminar targeted at housewives and
working women. To date, more than 12,000 women have benefitted from the seminar. ENERCON
has trained trainers who respond to requests from the women's organizations and
educational institutions in the four provinces.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
ENERCON has been conducting data collection and field research. The knowledge which stems from this experience has served as the basis for training and public awareness programmes, including publications, seminars, workshops and advertisements in newspapers, radio and television. ENERCON has worked to identify opportunities which will yield over US$ 56 million in energy savings.
Financing
Domestic resources are being made available for a Five-year Multisectoral Energy Efficiency Investment Programme 1996-2001 (Rs. 93.5 million); a proposed Natural Gas project (Rs. 97 million), intended to be a joint investment from both public and private sectors; a municipal water pump programme (Rs. 158 million); and agricultural tubewell programme (Rs. 250 million); and a Lighting Efficiency Programme (Rs. 80 million).
Cooperation
In 1995-1996, ENERCON conducted jointly with the Energy Conservation Centre (ECC) Japan, UNIDO and UNDP a series of 9 Preliminary Energy Audits in Glass, Plastic Forming and Food Processing Industries. ENERCON has developed a Rs. 92 million five-year energy plan for lighting efficiency in commercial buildings on a national scale. This five-year plan was made in collaboration with the joint UNDP/World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
* * *
This information is based on Pakistan's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Consideration is being given to the use of an effluent tax as a
means of enforcing National Environmental Quality Standards. The precise modalities
are under consideration.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The financial philosophy behind the National Conservation Strategy is that of financial
sustainability, meaning that a welfare economic surplus is to be expected, since the cost
of the environmentally sound projects will be outweighed by the benefits in the long run.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
In general Pakistan has many, and is getting even more,
aid-worthy projects which are relevant for the National Conservation Strategy
(NCS). Since most of the projects in NCS are
labour intensive, it is estimated that Pakistan stands to gain 80,000 jobs a year during
the ten years of NCS
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
In 1994, Pakistan was constrained by a weak fiscal capacity due to a narrow revenue base. Therefore it is unrealistic for the Government to impose more taxation for the financing of the implementation of the NCS. Pakistan is faced with having to rely entirely on donor support for the first three to five of the ten years of the NCS.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Recommendations have been made to redirect existing high-cost development programmes to fund 40% of the total NCS budget. The additional Rs. 90 million was to have come from the private sector, but because of the economic constraints, it may be difficult to meet this recommendation. Recommendations for raising domestic funding include: introduction of the Polluter Pays Principle and other taxation measures in various sectors; adjustment of projects, for example on water; encouragement of private investment, for example in "Conservation pays" projects like recycling paper; supplement lotteries, and fund-raising schemes.
One of the recommendations made in relation to international funding is the implementation of the debt-for-nature swaps, which would allow Pakistan to reduce its foreign debt by using the money for environmental conservation.
Cooperation
A Development Bank in Pakistan was found commercially unviable; therefore an off-shore Fund was recommended since it would have the necessary financial advantages, i.e. zero taxation, for attracting international investors. The Environmental Fund would have an Investment Advisory Company (IAC). The IAC would be composed of shareholders who provide the initial money US$5.0 million or 10% of the estimated requirements. The 90% would be private investors - local and foreign, and multilateral and bilateral institutions such as IBRD, IFC and the Asian Development Bank.
* * *
This information is based on Pakistan's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
For the Ministry of
Finance and Economic Affairs, click here:
For information on the state of the
economy and investments, click here:
For information on
participating States in the Global Environment Facility, click here:
For information about
issues and projects in Asia and and the Pacific from the World Bank, click here:
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has launched a five-year Environment Technology Programme for Industry (ETPI) with the support and assistance of the Government of the Netherlands. The main goal of the programme is to help Pakistani industries identify and implement the most economical pollution prevention and abatement technologies.
Pakistan is involved in a project called "Transfer of Technology for Sustainable Industrial Development" with the Swiss Government. The project is administered by the Pakistani Ministry of Environment, Urban Affairs, Forestry and Wildlife and will be carried out by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). It involves two phases:
Status
The Government has encouraged the industrial sector to utilize clean production
processes. For this purpose, various incentives are available to industry which include
preferential treatment in loan facilities by banks and DFIs, and lower import tariffs on
anti-pollution equipment. There has not been much headway on the adoption of environmental
management systems because of the lack of awareness and the higher cost of ISO
certification. However, the government is giving due importance to the matter and the
proposal is under consideration to devise a mechanism so that PSI may be accredited to do
ISO 14000 certification locally.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The Swiss government has granted US$1 million for the implementation of the second phase of the Pak-Swiss cooperation programme. The SDPI was supported in enhancing capacity and expertise concerning technology transfer by the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation (NORAD), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC). The Environment and Urban Affairs Division and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency have been supported in capacity building by a World Bank funded project on Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation.
Pakistan is a member of APO and also benefits from the facilities available through UNIDO, UNEP, and UNDP.
* * *
Biotechnology
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
A special institutional body, the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, (NIBGE) is in charge of this sector. It had a professional staff of 68 in 1994. NIBGE has an evaluation committee which yearly reviews programmes and makes suggestions for improvements.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
A Biotechnology Code of Conduct for the Release of Organisms into the
Environment has been prepared for national adoption. The Code of Conduct has been
modelled from the code of conduct prepared by UNIDO. The enforcement of the code of
conduct will be in the hands of the Biosafety Committee which will check all handling of
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). The procedure contains principles on biotechnology
risk assessment and risk management.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Workshops are being organized on a quarterly basis to enhance
awareness and understanding of biotechnology issues.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
In 1994, the national budget allocated to NIBGE amounted to US$ 0.36 million.
Cooperation
NIBGE has received support from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S.A. NIBGE tries to involve industry in its work by inviting management to discuss marketing possibilities for environmental protection. Traditional methods and knowledge of indigenous peoples are being accommodated in the policies of NIBGE.
* * *
This information is based on Pakistan's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to go to the Web Site of UNEP's
International Register on Biosafety.
Click here for the International Centre
for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Biosafety WebPages
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
No information is available.
* * *
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
No information is available.
* * *
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
No information is available.
* * *
| Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |
| Pakistan | All Countries | Home |
