Pakistan

In Pakistan, UNDP continued implementing the environmental justice project it started in 2023 in Balochistan province. The broader national and provincial context in which this project unfolded remained complex and challenging. Pakistan’s climate vulnerability persisted, with the country maintaining its position in the medium performance category in the 2024 Climate Change Performance Index. Coordination challenges across government institutions hindered effective implementation of environmental laws and policies. In Balochistan, despite complex security dynamics marked by regional and inter-communal conflicts, provincial departments demonstrated notable willingness to engage in climate and environmental policymaking. This was exemplified by the development of the Provincial Climate Change Policy, a direct outcome of UNDP interventions. However, institutional capacity gaps continued to limit access to environmental justice, particularly for marginalized communities.

Against this backdrop, the UNDP-led environmental justice project focused on enhancing the capacity of key institutions, including environmental protection agencies, environmental protection tribunals and the national human rights institution, to deliver inclusive and people-centred services. It also aimed to improve community engagement with these institutions, ensuring that environmental justice was not only a policy goal but a lived reality for those most affected by environmental degradation.

A cornerstone of the project’s success was its strong network of partnerships. UNDP worked closely with provincial government departments, civil society organizations such as Aurat Foundation and Shirkatgah, and international partners including the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. These collaborations enriched the project’s design and implementation, bringing in diverse expertise and ensuring alignment with international standards. The project also benefited from synergies with other UNDP initiatives, such as the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II programme (focusing on human rights promotion) and the Community Stabilization Programme in Gwadar, which helped integrate environmental justice into broader governance and human rights efforts.

As one of the key results, a comprehensive training module on environmental rights was developed and used in capacity-building workshops for the Environmental Protection Agency and Tribunal in Quetta. High-level meetings and two consultative sessions were held with the National Commission for Human Rights and its provincial counterparts to address issues such as solid waste management and the implementation of the Provincial Climate Change Policy.

Research reports were produced on topics including the impact of environmental issues on coastal livelihoods, the role of women in waste management, and the normative framework for environmental justice in Pakistan. These knowledge products not only informed policy discussions but also empowered environmental human rights defenders with critical legal and procedural knowledge.

UNDP’s extensive capacity-building efforts strengthened the ability of institutions like the National Commission for Human Rights and various provincial departments to fulfill their mandates effectively. They also supported environmental human rights defenders and civil society actors in advocating for environmental rights. Gender considerations were integrated throughout the project, with targeted efforts to include women, persons with disabilities and transgender individuals in all activities. The inclusion of the Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women and the engagement of 21 female environmental human rights defenders underscored UNDP’s commitment to inclusive environmental justice.

In 2024, UNDP also continued implementing Phase II of the Business and Human Rights project, raising awareness and building capacity of Japanese companies and their partners operating in Pakistan to enable responsible business practices and strengthen human rights standards in value chains. This Japan-funded project had catalytic effect on business and human rights agenda in Pakistan, as additional resources were mobilized. In particular, the support from the Government of Norway will further advance the business and human rights agenda, while a larger project on human rights promotion funded by the European Union will have a dedicated business and human rights pillar. The interventions will focus on the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, training on human rights due diligence, improving access to remedy, and other issues.

UNDP’s work on business and human rights in Pakistan has been closely intertwined with efforts to advance environmental justice. Recognizing the environmental dimensions of responsible business conduct, UNDP integrated environmental justice considerations into its broader human rights and governance initiatives. This included targeted support under the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development, which enabled capacity-building for Environmental Protection Tribunals and Agencies. These efforts led to more streamlined and responsive administrative processes in environmental governance.

Building on the progress achieved through earlier Global Programme funding, UNDP enhanced resource mobilization to advance policy development, implementation and advocacy for responsible business practices in collaboration with the Government, the private sector and civil society. Additionally, it supported sustainable livelihoods and increased rights awareness among women home-based workers, reinforcing the connection between inclusive economic development and human rights.