Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif along with former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern inaugurated Pakistan Pavilion at COP-30 Conference in Brazil.
She said that combating hazardous effects of climate change has now become central to every policy decision, emphasizing that “fight against smog is no longer a slogan but a mission.”
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan Pavilion at COP-30 in Belem, Brazil, she said that the budget to combat smog has been increased from Rs 94 billion to Rs 123 billion. She declared that “Punjab’s forests are no longer silent, and its lakes no longer still, the heartbeat of Punjab’s nature is returning to normalcy.”
Chief Minister Punjab said Punjab is moving towards eco-friendly fuels and converting waste into energy. “We are expanding the Punjab Clean Air and E-Mobility Vision across the province,” she noted, adding that Punjab has established a practical system rather than making empty slogans. She announced that ten major automated rapid transit systems are being introduced in various cities across Punjab, while landfill sites are being converted into green forests and solar parks. She stated while highlighting initiatives for clean water and sanitation that District Water and Sanitation Authorities have been established in 41 districts and water and sanitation programs have been launched in 66 cities. “We are developing 2,500 model villages where every household will have access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities,” she said.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif further elaborated that Under Punjab’s Plastic Management Cell, over 2.5 million citizens have pledged to reduce plastic use. She added that Punjab Wildlife and Biodiversity Program has rescued over 35,000 birds and 700 animals, including 23 bears saved from captivity. She maintained that the province is also constructing South Asia’s largest wildlife hospital, establishing three wildlife rescue centers and a helpline (1107). Special environmental courts have been set up under the Punjab Wildlife Act and Protected Areas Act, imposing penalties up to seven years’ imprisonment and Rs 5 million fines for illegal wildlife trade and cruelty. She stressed, “The survival of humanity is linked with survival of rivers, air and the sky.” Drawing parallels between the Amazon and the Indus River, she said both reflect how “nature and humanity are inseparable.”
Chief Minister Punjab reiterated that Pakistan contributes less than one percent to global emissions yet ranks among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries. Referring to the devastating 2025 floods, she said that 27 districts were submerged, affecting five million people, 3.3 million acres of land and 2.4 million acres of crops. The government conducted the largest rescue operation in Punjab’s history, relocating 2.6 million people and 2.1 million animals. “Instead of chaos, we witnessed institutional coordination and efficient governance,” she remarked. She added that Punjab learned from the 2025 floods to not only recover but rebuild better and make effective preemptive, sustainable measures through the Punjab Climate Resilient 2025 Initiative, which integrates data governance and citizen support to turn crisis into capability.
Chief Minister underscored that under the Climate-Smart Farming Program, 5,000 super seeders and 15 balers and mechanized harvesters have been provided to farmers, along with Rs. 80 billion interest-free loans for mechanization purpose. She stated, “In a short time, our actions have not only cleared the skies but also built a new social contract between farmers, government and science,” adding that changing social behavior is now transforming Punjab’s rural landscape into a movement against climate change.
She highlighted that AI and machine-learning-powered AQI monitors now go beyond weather forecasting to detect environmental hazards, adding that a comprehensive monitoring network, integrating cameras, sensors, satellite feeds and a centralized digital dashboard is operational. She revealed that Rs 12.5 billion Climate Endowment Fund has also been established to finance sustainability initiatives. She emphasized that without resource allocation, climate improvement claims can never materialize, adding that Punjab is swiftly moving towards eco-friendly fuels under its Clean Air and E-Mobility Vision 2030.
Chief Minister noted that Punjab generates over 50,000 tons of waste daily, half of which previously never reached dump sites, leading to severe land pollution. “Now, every city, every street, and every home is connected to the Suthra Punjab network-a new model of governance,” she said. “Cities once buried under smoke and sludge are now visible and alive on digital dashboards.” Through public-private partnerships, government projects have become public missions, engaging local contractors, businesses, and industries. This collaboration has brought cleaner streets, transparent systems, and over 150,000 green jobs.