Pakistan Climbs 22 Places in 2026 Environmental Performance Index

Pakistan has climbed 22 places in the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI), moving from 179th in 2024 to 157th in 2026. India ranks 176th among 177 countries assessed in the 2026 index. The EPI evaluates countries on 47 indicators across 12 environmental issue categories, grouped under three policy objectives: environmental health, ecosystem vitality, and climate change.

In Pakistan, increased environmental action at the provincial level, particularly in Punjab, has contributed to the improvement. The provincial government has intensified measures to control air pollution, strengthen enforcement, and expand technology-based monitoring. Punjab's Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has taken action against major pollution sources, expanded real-time air-quality monitoring, and strengthened measures targeting vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.

Environmental awareness and climate action initiatives have also been integrated into provincial programs. The EPI ranking underscores the challenges countries face in addressing air pollution, environmental health, ecosystem protection, and climate change.