Exclusive audit documents obtained by Political Uprise News have revealed serious lapses in Pakistan’s implementation of its climate commitments made during COP28, exposing a troubling disconnect between public pledges and ground realities.
Despite strong declarations at the global summit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in sustainable energy, the audit shows that key state-owned enterprises, including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), and other gas companies, have failed to take even the most basic steps toward climate action.
PPL has made no progress on critical fronts such as commercial use of flare gas, leak detection, or carbon storage all of which were part of their COP28 commitments.
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No practical measures have been taken by PSO and other companies to ensure the implementation of green policies. The management’s response on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reporting and sustainability planning was deemed insufficient and lacking seriousness.
Despite being the lead organization for Pakistan’s ambitious Green Hydrogen Project, the audit notes that no concrete steps were taken toward its development.
The much-touted Joint Climate Fund, proposed to support climate projects, was never established, and even its feasibility study wasn’t initiated.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between PPL and OGDCL in September 2024 considered a milestone at the time has resulted in zero tangible progress.
Internal claims regarding the preparation of data rooms, technical studies, and reports were described as paperwork only, with no substantive output.
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The report criticizes management’s weak performance, concluding that these failures have undermined Pakistan’s international credibility and left COP28 goals unfulfilled. It adds that without swift action, the country’s climate strategy risks being labeled as performative and non-serious on the world stage.
In response to these findings, the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) has ordered the administration to submit a full implementation report on COP28 and MoUs signed under its framework.
The audit warns that exploration and production companies must now take urgent, visible action to comply with international commitments. Without this, Pakistan’s climate leadership position already fragile could further deteriorate.
