Transparency International Pakistan Issues Key Recommendations for Punjab Climate Change Act 2026
KARACHI: Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan) has released recommendations to the Government of Punjab for consideration in the drafting of the Punjab Climate Change Act 2026, urging the province to embed stronger safeguards for integrity, transparency, and public participation in climate governance.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, TI Pakistan highlighted that the proposed legislation presents a critical opportunity to establish a robust legal and institutional framework for climate planning, oversight, and implementation in the province. The recommendations urge the government to recognize transparency, accountability, climate justice, and public participation as core principles, while ensuring the inclusion of experts, academia, and civil society in governance structures.
TI Pakistan also recommended systems for regular disclosure and verification of climate-related information, including greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance, carbon market activities, environmental compliance, and project performance. The organization has further called for community participation mechanisms, an independent climate grievance redress system, public disclosure of procurement information, and integrity safeguards such as Integrity Pacts for large-scale climate projects.
In addition, TI Pakistan has proposed legislative oversight through an Annual State of Climate Change and Governance Report to the Punjab Assembly and recommended transparency measures for carbon market activities in the province of Punjab, including disclosure of agreements, ownership structures, verification arrangements, carbon credit issuance, revenue sharing, and safeguards against double counting and greenwashing.
Kashif Ali, Executive Director TI Pakistan highlighted “Transparency International has been emphasizing globally for climate governance to be inclusive and built on integrity. The Punjab Climate Change Act 2026 presents an important opportunity to institutionalize integrity safeguards and ensure that climate action benefits communities who are most affected by climate crisis”.
The full recommendations document is available here: https://alacpakistan.com/Government_of_Punjab/CHIEF_MINISTER_PUNJAB/Maryam-Nawaz-Sharif-Chief-Minister-Punjab-CM-House-Lahore-11-May-2026.pdf
