Pakistan Mandates Green Building Code for New Structures

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On July 30, 2025, Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet approved the Green Building Code of Pakistan (GBCP-2023) and Rainwater Harvesting Provisions for the Building Code of Pakistan (RWH-BCP-2023), setting new benchmarks for sustainable construction. These codes, developed by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), aim to promote energy-efficient and water-conserving buildings, aligning with national environmental goals, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

The Green Building Code of Pakistan applies to all new buildings with four or more floors, mandating features like solar-friendly designs, green roofs, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-friendly materials. It also requires the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to optimize design and reduce energy consumption, as detailed by TechJuice. The Rainwater Harvesting Provisions mandate systems for collecting, filtering, and reusing rainwater in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, addressing Pakistan’s water scarcity issues, per Business Recorder. These measures support groundwater recharge and reduce reliance on municipal water supplies, a critical step given Pakistan’s escalating water challenges.

The initiative, spearheaded by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi and Secretary Sajid Baloch, involved consultations with provinces, federal ministries, and stakeholders to ensure nationwide consensus, as reported by Pakistan Today. The codes, now integrated into the Pakistan Engineering Council’s bye-laws under the PEC Act, 1976, are enforceable by provincial and federal authorities, per Daily Independent. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, chairing the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC), emphasized their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Public sentiment on X, including posts by @EngrAsgharHayat, praised the move as a step toward climate-resilient infrastructure. The codes reflect Pakistan’s commitment to environmental stewardship, prioritizing practical solutions for energy conservation and water management. By enforcing these standards, the government aims to foster sustainable urban growth and improve living conditions, setting a precedent for responsible development across the nation.