Advancing Climate Transparency in Pakistan: A Path Towards Effective Action

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement emphasises regular monitoring and reporting. In Pakistan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, along with the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), is working to meet these requirements.

Translating climate policies into actions

Quality data, obtained through robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, are essential for translating climate policies into actions. Pakistan is institutionalising MRV mechanisms to ensure informed decision-making and accountability. The GCISC oversees national and international reporting on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and climate actions, with efforts underway to align with global standards.

Pakistan's Climate Transparency Project, supported by the German development cooperation, aims to enhance monitoring and evaluation capacities. This includes a web-based tracking and reporting platform to address data management challenges and improve tracking of climate actions. Collaboration and knowledge exchange are facilitated through technical sessions organised by the GCISC with international partners. These events raise awareness about climate transparency and promote the RISQ platform for tracking climate policies.

While the impact of these efforts may be difficult to ascertain immediately, this work will gradually make a tangible difference in the lives of Pakistani citizens by enhancing climate transparency and action. Pakistan will improve its ability to make informed decisions and ensure accountability in climate policy implementation. These efforts are helping to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and food insecurity, directly impacting vulnerable communities.

Strengthening adaptation monitoring and evaluation

The French Interprofessional Technical Centre for Studies on Air Pollution (CITEPA) is helping Pakistan monitor and evaluate its climate adaptation efforts. The project aims to establish a national adaptation monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system integrating data from various agencies, aligning Pakistan’s reporting with the ETF.

Building GCISC's capacity to lead an IT-based adaptation M&E system is a key focus. This involves updating software and platforms to collect and analyse sectoral data, preparing Pakistan to submit its first biennial transparency report under the ETF by the end of 2024. A communication strategy is also being developed to encourage data sharing on adaptation impacts among stakeholders. This initiative builds on previous climate change reporting efforts and supports compliance with ETF requirements.

Through increased technical capacity, collaboration, and data sharing, Pakistan is not only aligning with global standards but also enhancing the resilience of its population against climate-related challenges, ultimately improving quality of life and safeguarding a future worth living for generations to come.

As Pakistan advances its climate commitments, transparency in governance is crucial. By establishing robust monitoring systems and fostering collaboration, Pakistan aims to accurately track and report climate actions, contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Watch the animation by CITEPA below to learn more: