IUCN Pakistan established its Environment Assessment Services (EAS) Unit in 1994. Since its creation, EAS has undertaken a wide range of activities: environmental impact assessments (EIA) and environmental audits of major developmental projects; strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of key policies, plans and programs; pollution control; hazardous material handling; occupational health; safety; development of emergency response protocols; and conducting training workshops on various environmental issues. All of these activities have been carried out in partnership with federal, provincial and local authorities, thereby reflecting the unit’s underlying commitment to capacity enhancement and long-term institutional development.

The mission of the EAS Unit aims at, “Implementing Pakistan National Conservation Strategy through strengthening and supporting institutions involved in prevention and abatement of pollution and control of environmental degradation.”

Therefore its basic objectives are:

• To strengthen the institutional framework and capacity of selected agencies for: (a) undertaking and assessing EIAs and SEAs; and (b) preventing and controlling pollution and environmental degradation;
• To promote safe handling and disposal of hazardous material;
• To assist with the development and implementation of emergency response protocols, dealing with industrial accidents and environmental problems;
• To undertake demonstration projects that illustrate incorporation of environmental dimensions into major developmental projects;
• To provide technical support to the IUCN units, members, and partners in environmental improvement activities;
• To communicate information to the general public and to selected audiences on specific environmental issues.

The unit has carried out a number of complementary activities which include undertaking an reporting varied environmental assessments, contributing articles in both English and Urdu Languages to newspapers, contributing to books and undertaking seminars and workshops related to EAS topics.