Islamabad: Chairperson Senator Sherry Rehman led a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, where she raised significant concerns about the necessity and effectiveness of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority (PCCA). The discussion called for a re-evaluation of the Authority’s role, given its overlapping responsibilities with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.

According to Senate of Pakistan, Senator Rehman questioned the value of establishing a separate Authority that mirrors the Ministry’s mandate, especially in light of the Ministry’s shrinking budget. The Ministry’s allocation has decreased to Rs 2.478 billion, down from Rs 3.5 billion in the previous fiscal year. Senator Rehman pointed out that the PCCA’s functions and personnel are largely redundant, emphasizing the need for clarity on its additional contributions.

Senator Rehman expressed doubts about the Authority’s ability to mobilize international climate finance and questioned its coordination role with provincial governments, functions the Ministry currently performs. She underscored that any new climate institution should offer specialized and internationally competitive capabilities, not duplicate existing resources.

The Committee also reviewed recent developments on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and the enforcement of the Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Act, 2026. Senator Rehman criticized the ongoing use of plastics and the lack of effective enforcement of the Act, highlighting the need for affordable alternatives for low-income households.

The meeting was attended by various senators and the State Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, who were urged to provide a comprehensive explanation of the PCCA’s distinct value and financial implications in future sessions.