Training Workshop on Climate Sensitive Budgeting and Finance Transparency
Training Workshop on Climate Sensitive Budgeting and Finance Transparency
Venue: Avari Hotel Lahore
Date: 6th August 2024
Transparency International Pakistan organized a Capacity Building Workshop for Training of Government Officers on Climate Sensitive Budgeting and Climate Finance Transparency at Avari Hotels Lahore on August 6, 2024. Senior officers from various climate-related departments including Climate Change, Forest and Wildlife, Irrigation, Planning and Development, Livestock, Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Urban Development, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Local Government and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab participated in the capacity building workshop.
The workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of government officers regarding climate finance and integrating transparency in planning processes and governance frameworks. The workshop formally commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Subsequently, Ms. Saba Asghar Ali, Chief Environment and Climate Change, Planning and Development Department, Government of Punjab, delivered the opening remarks. She highlighted that there is an urgent need for climate action and the provincial government of Punjab is implementing projects worth billions under mitigation and adaptation. She informed the participants that through “Whole of government” approach, the Govt of Punjab has finalised Punjab Climate Change Policy 2024. Furthermore, she shared that the P&D department has started climate tagging of the projects to streamline projects which will also enhance transparency in reporting and budget data.
Moving on, Justice (R) M. Athar Saeed, former Supreme Court Judge and Trustee TI Pakistan delivered welcoming remarks. He emphasized that Climate Change is a threat multiplier for Pakistan and in order for the country to have an effective access to climate finance, we need to ensure robustness and accountability of our climate governance. In this regard, he highlighted that Judiciary has played an important role in Pakistan in pushing the government to operationalise climate institutions as conceived under Climate Change Act 2017. He also insisted that there is an absence of judicial architecture at the lower levels which is imperative for ensuring the climate crimes are held accountable. In this regard, he suggested the need for climate tribunals at the lower courts.
Next, Mr. Kashif Ali, Executive Director, TI Pakistan provided an overview of Climate Governance Integrity Project, briefing the participants about achievements of the program in advocating for anti-corruption measures in climate policies, raising awareness about social accountability at the grassroots as well as providing free legal advice to the victims and witnesses of environmental corruption to ensure that such crimes are held accountable. He also highlighted that the draft Punjab Climate Change Policy 2024 lack anti-corruption and transparency measures and shared that TI Pakistan has written to the provincial government to ensure that the integrity pillars are part of the new climate change policy of the province.
Afterwards, Mr Azmat Shahi, climate financing and disaster risk reduction expert delivered a presentation on “Understanding Climate Financing and the Climate Finance Landscape in Punjab and Pakistan”. He highlighted that Punjab province stands as one of South Asia’s most urbanized regions and is most industrialized province. This rapid urbanization and economic growth have ushered in climate change stresses, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. He discussed the sources of climate finances in Punjab including provincial budget which consists of allocations for environmental and climate resilience projects, funding from GCF, UNDP, World Bank and other International Donors and investment of private sector in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Mr. Shahi recommended that coordination and streamlining of process of accessing funds needs to be improved, investment from the private sector through incentives and regulatory support needs to be encouraged and exploring new financial instruments like green bonds and climate resilience bond are important.
After the tea break, Mr Dawar Hameed Butt, climate finance expert delivered a comprehensive presentation on Integrating Climate Lens and Transparency in Climate Financing Frameworks: Tools for Tracking, Monitoring and Evaluation. Mr Dawar underlined the huge financing gap in the climate action projects in Pakistan and highlighted that allocations in Punjab budget towards climate objectives is less than 1%. He discussed that strategic planning tools such as Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Reviews (CPEIR), Climate Change Budget Integration Index (CBII) which measures level of climate change integration into national PFM Systems and Climate Public Investment Management Assessments (Climate PIMA), which are frameworks to assess integration of climate change policies into public investments management processes can ensure effective utilization of climate finance. He highlighted that Green Budget Statements /Citizens’ Budget, Compliance with PPRA Rule 47 of Public Access and Transparency and Whistle-blower Protection mechanisms can ensure the transparency in climate finance.
Mr. Dawar also discussed the scoring checklist developed by TI Pakistan. The checklist focuses on incorporating climate sensitive metrics into planning, budgeting and implementation process. It was also discussed that auditing institutions such as Accountant General of Pakistan, and Anti-Corruption bodies also need expertise in the areas of climate change. This expertise would ensure that audits considered not only the financial aspects but also environmental and climate factors such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and carbon reduction efforts.
During the workshop, former Chief Information Commissioner of the Punjab Information Commission, Mehboob Qadir Shah addressed the participants about the Punjab Right to Information Act 2013 and its Application in Climate Finance. Mr Shah elaborated on several sections of the RTI Act 2013 dealing with proactive disclosures terming them the roots for good governance. He said that RTI Act holds strong potential for achieving transparency and effectiveness in climate governance. The citizen and civil society can hold institutions accountable and promote more informed public engagement in climate decision making through compliance with RTI Act.
Executive Director TI Pakistan, Mr. Kashif delivered a presentation on Climate Finance Procurement Transparency. He highlighted that Punjab Procurement Rules 2014 includes various transparency features and it is important that climate related departments ensure strict compliance with Punjab PPRA Rules in climate finance projects. He highlighted that Punjab PPRA Rule 66 provides a mandatory requirement of citizen oversight through disclosure of all climate procurement data. He stated that Punjab PPRA Rule 66 of Public Access and Transparency, publication of bid evaluation and national tracking system managed by Climate Finance Units are tools for maintaining transparency in procurement processes. He emphasized that procurement transparency helps prevent corruption, and optimize resource allocations for climate initiatives.
Towards the end, participants were provided certificates for the training. Participants appreciated TI Pakistan efforts in providing capacity building on climate finance and technical guidance for ensuring transparency and integrity in the utilisation of the funds.
