Pakistan Revives Clean Environment Fund to Tackle Environmental Challenges

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to address its environmental challenges, Pakistan has decided to activate the Clean Environment Fund Company (CEFC), which has been inactive for over a decade. This decision was made on Monday during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The committee approved a request from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to mobilize finances for environmental protection initiatives by appointing new board members to the CEFC. This includes two ex-officio and three independent directors, as part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s environmental governance.

The revival of the CEFC is crucial for Pakistan, which ranks among the lowest on the global environmental index. Activating this fund is expected to facilitate the implementation of various environmental projects, thereby contributing to sustainable development and improving the country’s ecological footprint.

Looking ahead, the government plans to hold further discussions on the operational framework of the CEFC and its potential projects. This initiative marks a pivotal step in Pakistan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and could pave the way for international cooperation in climate action.