Smog-challenged Punjab gets $300m boost from World Bank to clear the air

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The World Bank has approved a $ 300 million loan under its International Development Association (IDA) to support Punjab’s efforts to tackle air pollution, the global lender said in a statement on Saturday.

The funds will go to the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP), which improves air quality management and enforces measures under the provincial government’s SMOG reduction Action Plan (SMAP).

According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the program will focus on reducing pollution in key sectors, including transportation, agriculture, industry, energy and municipal services, which has a wider goal of improving air quality and public health in the province.

The province, the most populous in Pakistan, is tied up with smog in every winter, but in recent years air pollution has deteriorated, resulting in the dust that trapped cold air, low -level diesel smoke and illegal stubborn burns on the fields. In the winter months, Lahore placed the Swiss Group Akir Reading as the most polluted city in the world.

WB Country Director for Pakistan Private Banhasin said: “The Punjab Clean Air Program supports the province’s smog reduction action plan and is an important step to significantly improve air quality and enhance the health and welfare of millions of residents.”

“Cleaning will reduce the incidence of breath and cardiovascular diseases and will contribute to a healthy, more living environment,” he said.

Benasin added that PCAP is align with the new WB Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and aims to reduce PM 2.5 levels by 35 % over the next decade, which has reduced respiratory diseases and other health issues for 13 million residents of Lahore Division.

He added that the program focuses on strengthening air quality management (AQM) infrastructure, enhancing regulatory and institutional capacity, promoting sectors reduction measures and promoting public awareness.

Given the details, the WB official said that key interferences include investment of 5000 super cider to reduce the important problem of burning of excessive seasonal fog, introducing 600 electric buses to promote a minor change in public transport, increasing the quality of the quality of the Punjab and the increase of the quality of the field.

Recognizing the importance of public participation in the acquisition of cleaner air, he said that the program promotes behavior changes and the engagement of active citizens, using air quality monitoring data and emission inventors to educate stakeholders about air pollution sources, health effects and reduction measures.

He added that special attention will be paid to weak populations through targeted messaging and suggestions, including schools and hospitals.

He added that the PCAP climate co -benefayeft to reduce PM 2.5 includes a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

The estimated reduction in GHG for this program is 35.6 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 12 years, which significantly benefits the environment and playing an important role in eliminating climate change.

Ben Hassan added that the program will also develop an integrated pollution and GHG emissions inventory system to provide a comprehensive approach to the emission data tracking and management of the program.

Shyam Srinivasan, the leader of the task team for the project, said: “Punjab Clean Air Program will help farmers in helping better crop management access to advanced technologies, creating job opportunities in e -bus and depot sectors and renewing older vehicles.”

“Moreover, it will increase the skills and information of government officials through training and ability to build, and eventually contribute to a healthy and more sustainable environment,” he added.