In its pursuit of economic development, Pakistan has not neglected the need to protect the environment and to provide all Pakistan's with a quality living environment. Up until recently, the regulatory approach has been used to implement the various environmental protection programme.
This approach has enabled Pakistan to strive for a clean and healthy living environment without compromising economic growth. There has also been a growing awareness of environmental issues among the general public over the years. In particular, I am pleased to note that companies are assuming greater responsibility for environmental protection.
The time is right to move from regulatory control to cultivating ownership for the environment.
"Environment Reporting" is a concept that is relatively new in Pakistan. It provides an opportunity for companies to inform stakeholders of their corporate efforts in ensuring that operations and businesses have minimum impact on the environment. Environmental reporting also helps to inculcate in companies a sense of co-ownership for the environment.
There will be companies that are apprehensive about environmental reporting and its implications on their operations. Companies should not view environmental reporting as an impediment to their businesses. Instead, they should embrace it as an opportunity to enhance their business.
Companies can improve their corporate image and increase their competitiveness by adopting environmental reporting. If more companies in Pakistan adopt environmental reporting, it will bring Pakistan another step nearer to its goal of environmental sustainability.
ACCA Pakistan and WWF Pakistan have taken the lead in promoting environmental reporting by launching the Pakistan Environmental Reporting Award (PERA) on 7 October 2003. The ministry for the Environment welcomes this initiative and is pleased to support the ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards 2004.