Assessment of the 'Punjab Green Development Programme' deemed 'reasonably satisfactory' by WB
**Punjab Green Development Programme Makes Progress Towards Sustainable Development**
The Punjab Green Development Programme (PGDP), initially approved by the World Bank in May 2018 with an original budget of $200 million, has undergone a series of restructurings and is now set to close on November 30, 2025, with a revised budget of $182.89 million. The programme, focused on the province of Punjab, Pakistan, aims to strengthen environmental governance and promote green investments.
As of July 2022, approximately 71.61% ($134.69 million) of the revised funds have been disbursed. Despite the progress made, the World Bank has rated the overall implementation progress of the programme as moderately satisfactory, and the targets for promoting green investments have yet to be achieved.
The programme's original closing date was June 30, 2023, but due to restructuring, the revised closure date is now November 30, 2025. The delays and adjustments in project scope and targets have been made to align with on-the-ground realities and implementation capacity.
The World Bank's Implementation Status and Results Report (ISR) has also rated the progress towards the achievement of the project development objective as moderately satisfactory. However, a new, more realistic target for achieving the "Promoting Green Investments" component has been set, and it is expected that this target will be met before the project's revised closing date.
The Punjab Green Development Programme is a significant step towards sustainable development in Punjab, with the potential to make a lasting impact on the environment and the economy of the province. The programme's continued commitment to sustainable development is evident in its focus on green investments and environmental governance, and its progress towards these goals is a testament to the importance of such initiatives.
[1] Source: World Bank Group, Punjab Green Development Programme, Implementation Status and Results Report (ISR), July 2022.
The Punjab Green Development Programme, with its focus on green investments and environmental governance, has allocated a significant portion of its revised budget towards finance related to sustainable development in Punjab. To achieve its goals in promoting green investments, the programme has been revising its targets to align with on-the-ground realities and implementation capacity, demonstrating a commitment to science, particularly environmental-science, and the growth of businesses that prioritize environmentally conscious practices.
