ISLAMABAD, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a 300 million U.S. dollars International Development Association loan for Pakistan's eastern Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP) to strengthen air quality management and combat air pollution.

The PCAP would support the provincial government's smog mitigation action plan in tackling the pressing issue of smog and air pollution with the launch of several comprehensive initiatives aimed at improving air quality and public health, particularly in key sectors such as transport, agriculture, industry, energy, and municipal services, the World Bank said Sunday.

The PCAP aligns with the new World Bank Country Partnership Framework and aims to reduce PM 2.5 levels by 35 percent over the next decade, significantly decreasing the incidence of respiratory illnesses and other pollution-related health issues for the 13 million residents of the provincial capital Lahore, said the bank.

The Washington-based lender said that the PCAP focused on the continuation of strengthening air quality management infrastructure, enhancing regulatory and institutional capacity, targeted sectorial abatement measures and promoting public awareness.

Recognizing the importance of public participation in achieving cleaner air, the program promotes behavioral change and active citizen engagement, utilizing air quality monitoring data and emissions inventories to educate stakeholders about air pollution sources, health impacts, and reduction measures, it added. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)