An Analysis of EU-Pakistan Cooperation on Environmental Protection

Abstract

This article examines the beginning and the impact of the environmental cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union (EU) from 1993 to 2023. The EU’s environmental policies have formed the foundation on which they have helped Pakistan through its technical and financial activities since Pakistan is a state that is extremely vulnerable to climate change events and lack the resources to tackle these issues. The official documents, programs, and agreements have been analyzed to provide a chronological history of this cooperation between both entities and highlight the depth of the EU funded initiatives such as the Baluchistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Program, the Revival of Baluchistan Water Resources Program, and the Energy Plus Programme with the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan along with their financial aid such as €886 million pledged in 2009 and €123 million in 2022 to make Pakistan a climate resilient state, which reflects their shared commitments towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement. As we move on further, this research has also identified key areas of
improvements for both Pakistan and other developing countries in the Global South.