Belém, Brazil: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a comprehensive climate protection plan, pledging to make environmental sustainability the core of all government policies.

Speaking at the Pakistan Pavilion during the COP-30 Climate Summit in Brazil, she declared that “the fight against smog is no longer a slogan but a mission,” outlining a bold vision for a sustainable and resilient Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz revealed that the budget to combat smog has been increased from Rs. 94 billion to Rs. 123 billion, signaling a clear shift toward green governance. She added that new solar parks, rapid transit systems, and urban forests are under development across Punjab’s major cities.

The chief minister said clean water and sanitation projects are being expanded to 66 cities, while 2,500 model villages will provide safe drinking water.

Through the Plastic Management Cell, over 2.5 million people have pledged to reduce plastic use. Authorities have also rescued 35,000 birds and 700 animals, while special courts are now enforcing strict penalties — including up to seven years in prison and Rs. 5 million in fines — for illegal wildlife trade.

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Maryam Nawaz highlighted the Punjab Climate Resilient 2025 Initiative, launched after the 2025 floods, to strengthen disaster response and institutional capacity.

Punjab has also introduced smart environmental monitoring, linking 100 air-quality stations to a central “Smog War Room.” A Climate Observatory is under construction in Lahore with support from SUPARCO and NASA, while 8,500 Safe City cameras now track pollution and industrial compliance.