PAKISTAN - Implementation of the National EnvPolicy The objectives are to: (a) strengthen country environmental systems; (b) design efficient and effective environmental policies; (c) design interventions to reduce environmental degradation and its economic consequences; and (d) develop a strategy for climate change adaptation and mitigation.  The proposed Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the National Environment Policy will finance technical assistance and targeted actions aimed at supporting the MOE in the implementation of its National Environment Policy. More specifically, the project aims at assisting the government with: "   Strengthening institutional framework of the MOE and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) at the Federal and provincial level "   Development of strategies and action plans to support sustainable infrastructure development and economic growth "   Development of a national strategy for climate change "   Development of initiatives and implementation of targeted actions aimed at limiting environmental pollution thus reducing the overall costs of environmental degradation. "   Promoting sustainable economic growth through the adoption of cleaner production practices in all major economic sectors "   Promoting conservation of natural resources The scope of the assistance that will be provided to the government includes the three components described below. Opportunities for building synergies between components will be identified at further stages of project preparation, based on the definition of the specific activities and interventions that will be supported by the operation. A.   Institutional strengthening. This component will support the government in the strengthening of institutional capacity at the MOE and EPA to implement the NEP. This will involve financing: (i) design an implementation of an organizational framework that is in line with the pillars of the NEP and that allows the development of consistent strategies and action plans with clearly defined mechanisms to facilitate NEP implementation at the sub-national level; (ii) promotion of inter-institutional coordination among all relevant government agencies, provincial authorities, research centers, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders that address environmental management issues; (iii) program to strengthen the capacity of technical MOE and EPA and provincial agencies staff to apply policies aimed at preventing undue harm to the environment (e.g. environmental impact assessment, protection of natural habitats, forests and integrated pest management); (iv) training in procurement and financial management; (v) information systems; and (vi) adequate training, infrastructure and logistical support to ensure that staff have the adequately tools to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties B.   Climate change and carbon finance. This component will assist the government in the development of a national strategy for climate change covering both adaptation and mitigation aspects. The strategy will identify priorities for action that will increase private and public sectors' abilities to mitigate and adapt to the environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change, while simultaneously contributing to address the national environmental challenges identified by NEP. This component will also support the development and preparation of programmatic carbon financing operations in various sectors, of which carbon sequestration through afforestation and reforestation has been identified as a government priority. C.   Reducing the cost of environmental degradation. This component will support the government in its efforts to offset the costs of environmental degradation through actions in priority areas identified by the MOE and documented in the Strategic Country Environmental Assessment. This component will finance design and implementation of policies and initiatives to: (i) reduce outdoor and indoor air pollution; (ii) improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene; and (iii) manage solid waste and chemicals in an environmentally sound manner. This component will support implementation of several pilots and nation-wide public awareness campaigns. This component will also assist the MOE in its efforts to promote sustainable development by mainstreaming cleaner production principles in key economic sectors. This component will support the adoption of environmental management systems in the manufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy, transport and servicing sectors. In addition, this component will support the government in its efforts to prevent degradation of natural resources through sustainable management strategies. More specifically, through this component will assist the MOE in promoting  afforestation and reforestation initiatives.