PAKISTAN - Implementation of the National EnvPolicy

The proposed Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the National Environment Policy will finance technical assistance andtargeted actions aimed at supporting the MOE in the implementation of its National Environment Policy. More specifically, theproject aims at assisting the government with:' Strengthening institutional framework of the MOE and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) at the Federal and provinciallevel' Development of strategies and action plans to support sustainable infrastructure development and economic growth' Development of a national strategy for climate change' Development of initiatives and implementation of targeted actions aimed at limiting environmental pollution thus reducing theoverall costs of environmental degradation.' Promoting sustainable economic growth through the adoption of cleaner production practices in all major economic sectors' Promoting conservation of natural resourcesThe scope of the assistance that will be provided to the government includes the three components described below. Opportunitiesfor building synergies between components will be identified at further stages of project preparation, based on the definition ofthe specific activities and interventions that will be supported by the operation.A. Institutional strengthening. This component will support the government in the strengthening of institutional capacity at theMOE and EPA to implement the NEP. This will involve financing: (i) design an implementation of an organizational framework that isin line with the pillars of the NEP and that allows the development of consistent strategies and action plans with clearly definedmechanisms to facilitate NEP implementation at the sub-national level; (ii) promotion of inter-institutional coordination among allrelevant government agencies, provincial authorities, research centers, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders that addressenvironmental management issues; (iii) program to strengthen the capacity of technical MOE and EPA and provincial agencies staff toapply policies aimed at preventing undue harm to the environment (e.g. environmental impact assessment, protection of naturalhabitats, forests and integrated pest management); (iv) training in procurement and financial management; (v) information systems;and (vi) adequate training, infrastructure and logistical support to ensure that staff have the adequately tools to effectively andefficiently carry out their dutiesB. Climate change and carbon finance. This component will assist the government in the development of a national strategy forclimate change covering both adaptation and mitigation aspects. The strategy will identify priorities for action that will increaseprivate and public sectors' abilities to mitigate and adapt to the environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change,while simultaneously contributing to address the national environmental challenges identified by NEP. This component will alsosupport the development and preparation of programmatic carbon financing operations in various sectors, of which carbonsequestration through afforestation and reforestation has been identified as a government priority.C. Reducing the cost of environmental degradation. This component will support the government in its efforts to offset the costsof environmental degradation through actions in priority areas identified by the MOE and documented in the Strategic CountryEnvironmental Assessment. This component will finance design and implementation of policies and initiatives to: (i) reduce outdoorand indoor air pollution; (ii) improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene; and (iii) manage solid waste and chemicals in anenvironmentally sound manner. This component will support implementation of several pilots and nation-wide public awarenesscampaigns. This component will also assist the MOE in its efforts to promote sustainable development by mainstreaming cleanerproduction principles in key economic sectors. This component will support the adoption of environmental management systems in themanufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy, transport and servicing sectors.In addition, this component will support the government in its efforts to prevent degradation of natural resources throughsustainable management strategies. More specifically, through this component will assist the MOE in promoting afforestation and reforestation initiatives.