More than 164,000 citizens have registered with the Punjab government’s Green Credit Programme, and 14,647 of them have earned credits for environmental initiatives. Electric vehicles account for over 70 per cent of all applications.
Programme data shows 46,365 participants are from Lahore and 114,913 from other districts. Men make up 144,036 of the registrants and women 20,656. The programme offers credits for 38 initiatives covering air pollution reduction, water conservation, land restoration, waste management, awareness and biodiversity.
Task team leader Dr Muhammad Wajid Ejaz said electric bikes and cars have drawn the most interest. Credits are also offered to rickshaw owners who switch to electric three-wheelers.
Interest in water conservation, recycling at service stations and plastic waste management has been comparatively low. Dr Ejaz said greater public and business participation is needed in water conservation. Participants can receive Rs50,000 for installing a rainwater harvesting system and a further Rs50,000 for arrangements that make the collected water reusable.
He said measures are being taken to encourage service stations to treat and reuse wastewater, but progress has been limited. Only three of about 150 organisations working in plastic recycling have registered with the programme.
By category, 7,908 participants have earned credits for improving air quality, 2,867 for land improvement, 1,689 for waste management, 1,492 for environmental awareness, 279 for water conservation and efficient use, and 258 for biodiversity conservation.