Pakistan’s Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb, in his budget 2024-25 speech, said Pakistan faces dangers due to the effects of climate change and therefore in an effort for climate mitigation, “the government has taken several measures”.
However, climate experts are skeptical and say there may be some measures but they aren’t enough to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.
“Although there are plenty of chapters and claims in the Annual Plan 24-25 and the budget statement, it doesn’t look like it is in line with climate change goals,” said Sadya Siddiqui, policy researcher at The Citizenry.
The Citizenry is an investigative-research platform that aims to bring about awareness of policies that critically affect the lives of ordinary citizens, but are often ignored.
“It’s odd that there’s no mention of carbon tax. There were reports that it was going to be levied to placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF).”
Sadya said the heatwave has been mentioned in the document but there is no strategy or plan.
“There is also mention of climate change mitigation in the budget statement that if we don’t take measures, it will negatively affect economic activity due to disaster.
“But there is no clarity or any plans on how this will be achieved.”
The finance minister, in the budget speech, announced zero import duty on the raw materials for solar panels, inverters and allied equipment, a government effort to localise the commodity.
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Muhammad Basit Ghauri, Manager Research & Networks at Renewable First, a think-tank for energy and environment, said removal of custom duties and taxes will not be enough to entice companies to come and establish plants to produce solar panels in Pakistan.
Instead, a more holistic approach is needed to incentivise industries through ensuring stable and certain demand for PV through consistent policies.
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