Senate Passes Landmark Climate Change Adaptation Act

The Pakistani Senate has passed a landmark Climate Change Adaptation Act that establishes a comprehensive national framework for building climate resilience. The legislation mandates environmental impact assessments for all major infrastructure projects and creates a dedicated green transition fund.

Core Provisions

The Act requires all federal and provincial government agencies to integrate climate risk assessments into their planning processes. It establishes a Climate Resilience Authority with the power to enforce compliance and allocate funding for adaptation projects.

The green transition fund, seeded with an initial allocation of 50 billion rupees, will finance projects related to flood defences, drought-resistant agriculture, renewable energy deployment and ecosystem restoration. The fund will be managed by an independent board with representation from government, civil society and the private sector.

International Context

Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, having experienced devastating floods, heatwaves and glacial melt events in recent years. The new legislation positions Pakistan as a leader among developing nations in climate adaptation policy.

Environmental groups have praised the legislation while urging swift implementation and adequate funding to ensure the Act's ambitious goals are achieved.