Spectreco, a global leader in ESG advisory, technology, and implementation, has unveiled the “Waste to Value 2025” report.
Many considered the report a definitive account of the world’s largest solid waste management transformation under unified provincial governance.
The report launched at the inaugural ceremony of Unveiling Punjab’s New Sanitation Fleet. Held at Fortress Stadium, senior government leadership attended. The launch marks a key milestone in the Suthra Punjab program.
Since its rollout in December 2024, under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the initiative has expanded across 36 districts. It serves 127 million people, managing 57,000 tons of municipal waste daily. Within months, Punjab has operationalised a province-wide solid waste system powered by a digital twin platform. The platform named: GPS-enabled fleet tracking, and performance-linked PPP contracts.
Methane Emissions:
Anchored in real-time data, the program has achieved a 75% reduction in methane emissions at the Lakhodair landfill site. It is generating over 275,000 carbon credits annually and averting nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually.
Alongside these environmental gains, Suthra Punjab has catalysed over 100,000 new green jobs. Women and Youth make over 30% of these jobs. It stimulated PKR 150 billion (~$528 million) in public investment into local manufacturing and SME ecosystems.
The report further analyses the program’s cohesive integration of leadership. Analyses based on: Skilled workforce, a resilient business model, public-private partnerships. And advanced governance supported by cutting-edge monitoring technology, comprehensive data management, and rigorous KPI and impact measurement.
This cost leadership is reflected globally: with total program costs below $5 per capita for collection, transportation, and landfill operations—far lower than China’s $17, India’s $19, and the global average of $20—Suthra Punjab stands as a global exemplar of sustainable waste management investment, successfully aligning economic growth with climate action and social inclusion.
Lead Author:
Sajjeed Aslam, Partner at Spectreco and lead author of the report, said, “Suthra Punjab illustrates how visionary governance, combined with digital systems and a robust accountability structure, can convert municipal waste into economic, climate, and social value. This is not just a service delivery win; it’s a replicable model for climate finance-ready infrastructure in the Global South.”
The “Waste to Value 2025” report offers actionable insights for policymakers, investors, and development partners seeking scalable ESG solutions that accelerate climate, health, and governance objectives worldwide.
With increasing global focus on just transitions and decentralised climate solutions, Punjab’s model offers timely insights for countries aiming to localise Article 6 implementation, accelerate circular economy outcomes, and deliver verifiable SDG and ESG progress.
