In focus: Arresting environmental degradation

PEGF highlighted environmental degradation as a significant contributor to GDP loss due to air and water pollution

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Climate Change will  focus on capacity building of environment-related institutions and human resource development projects this year which will help in the effective implementation of Pakistan Economic Growth Framework (PEGF). PEGF, which highlighted environmental degradation as a significant contributor to GDP loss due to air and water pollution, soil degradation and deforestation, is to be implemented at federal as well as provincial levels. A source at the ministry on Wednesday said environmental degradation costs Pakistan’s economy up to Rs365 billion per year. The inability to address environment challenges will result in high costs to the economy in future. He said around Rs300 million has been set aside for environment projects as these would contribute towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2012.