Pakistan’s Parliament has been recognised among the inaugural recipients of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) Green Mace Award for its environmental and sustainability initiatives.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq received the award on September 17 at the conclusion of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The National Assembly Secretariat confirmed that Pakistan was among six legislatures recognised in the first group of recipients.
The Green Mace Initiative is a new CPA programme aimed at recognising legislatures that demonstrate leadership, innovation and practical action in environmental sustainability.
The other recipients were the National Assembly of Seychelles, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Québec National Assembly, Provincial Assembly of Punjab and Parliament of South Africa.
Pakistan Parliament’s green transformation
A key factor behind Pakistan’s recognition is the transition of Parliament House in Islamabad towards renewable energy.
According to the CPA, Pakistan’s National Assembly became the world’s first parliament to be powered entirely by solar energy in 2016. The solar system allows the parliamentary complex to meet its electricity needs through renewable energy.
The CPA also recognised the Parliament’s increasing use of digital and automated systems for legislative drafting, committee reporting and other parliamentary procedures.
The shift towards digital processes has helped reduce paper consumption while improving efficiency, accessibility and transparency. Waste management and energy conservation measures have also become part of the Parliament’s broader sustainability efforts.
Speaker highlights environmental responsibility
After receiving the award, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq described the recognition as part of Parliament’s continuing commitment to environmental responsibility.
He said the sustainability journey was driven by a responsibility towards citizens and future generations, highlighting the transition to solar power and the digitisation of parliamentary work.
The National Assembly Secretariat said the award acknowledged Pakistan Parliament’s environmental initiatives and efforts to adopt greener parliamentary operations.
Commonwealth initiative
The Green Mace Initiative encourages Commonwealth legislatures to reduce their environmental footprint and adopt sustainable practices. It considers measures including renewable energy, reduced paper use, energy conservation and environmentally responsible parliamentary operations.
CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg said the initiative gives parliaments an opportunity to showcase their environmental achievements while encouraging greater sustainability across Commonwealth legislatures.
Pakistan’s recognition highlights how public institutions can incorporate renewable energy and digital reforms into their everyday operations while working to reduce their environmental impact.