Local governance, SDGs and climate resilience in Pakistan

As Pakistan strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, local governance has become increasingly pivotal, particularly in ensuring efficient service delivery and addressing the country's climate vulnerabilities. Local governments are the linchpin of development, being the closest tier of government to the citizens, responsible for implementing a range of public services that directly impact health, education, water and sanitation - services that are central to several SDGs. However, despite their critical role, local governments in Pakistan often face significant challenges, including limited financial resources, weak institutional capacities and inadequate coordination with provincial and federal authorities.

Following the devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, many critical sectors such as health, education and agriculture are now under the purview of provincial and local administrations. This decentralisation not only offers an opportunity for tailored, community-specific solutions to development issues but also presents new governance challenges. Many local bodies cannot plan, execute and monitor SDG-related initiatives which affect their ability to deliver essential services. Moreover, insufficient fiscal autonomy means that local governments are heavily reliant on provincial funding, further complicating their ability to allocate resources for sustainable development and climate action. This financial dependency hampers the potential of local governments to drive independent, locally focused development programs.

In terms of climate governance, local governments play a frontline role in responding to the impacts of climate change. Pakistan, being one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces frequent climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts and heatwaves. These phenomena not only devastate local economies but also push back progress on multiple SDGs, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Local authorities are often tasked with disaster preparedness, early warning systems and immediate relief efforts, but their capacities are frequently overwhelmed by the scale and frequency of these events. Effective climate governance requires stronger coordination between national, provincial and local governments, alongside substantial investments in building local resilience through sustainable infrastructure and climate adaptation programmes.

Globally, several countries have demonstrated the success of a bottom-up approach to policy implementation by empowering local governments to lead SDG-related initiatives. Brazil - ranked 8th on the SDG Index - has been widely praised for decentralising social programs, enabling municipalities to tailor interventions to the specific needs of their communities, leading to significant improvements in education (SDG 4) and poverty reduction (SDG 1). Rwanda (ranked 16th) has also been lauded for its strong district-level governance, particularly in improving health outcomes and access to clean water (SDG 3 and SDG 6). Sweden (ranked 1st) and Germany (ranked 10th) provide valuable insights into the benefits of decentralised governance models, which allow local governments to manage resources and implement policies in a way that aligns with local priorities while contributing to national development goals. These countries also incorporate robust local climate governance mechanisms, enhancing their ability to address environmental challenges effectively.

Pakistan, however, ranks 128th out of 163 countries on the SDG Index, highlighting the urgent need for a stronger localisation strategy to enhance its performance on global development targets. Key SDGs, such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), are heavily dependent on the effective functioning of local governments. In urban areas, local authorities are crucial for managing rapid urbanisation, ensuring waste management, promoting green spaces and addressing the growing demand for clean energy. In rural areas, they are responsible for improving access to clean water and sanitation, ensuring food security and building resilient infrastructure against the changing climate. However, these responsibilities are often undermined by bureaucratic inefficiencies, political instability and inadequate governance frameworks.

To address these challenges and make meaningful progress towards the SDGs, Pakistan should consider adopting a more robust bottom-up approach. This approach involves empowering local governments with greater financial autonomy, enhancing their institutional capacities and fostering community involvement in decision-making processes. By decentralising planning and implementation, local governments can tailor development strategies to the specific needs of their communities, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Local governance is the sine qua non for successfully delivering SDG-related services and implementing climate governance in Pakistan. Strengthening local governance frameworks and empowering local authorities with the necessary tools and resources is not just a matter of administrative reform but a crucial step toward sustainable and resilient development. By learning from successful international models and implementing a bottom-up approach, Pakistan can enhance its capacity to meet SDG targets, improve climate resilience and ensure that development benefits are equitably distributed across all regions.