Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has been allocated Rs2.478 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme for fiscal year 2026-27 to support climate resilience, afforestation, green skills and urban adaptation projects.
The climate ministry funding, which will become available from July 1, is aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s response to floods, droughts, heatwaves, glacial melting, forest fires and other climate-related threats, according to official documents.
The largest share of the allocation, Rs2.335 billion, has been earmarked for the Up-scaling of Green Pakistan Programme. The initiative focuses on expanding forest cover, conserving biodiversity, restoring degraded ecosystems and increasing carbon sequestration.
Officials said the allocation reflects the federal government’s emphasis on making climate resilience part of national development planning. Pakistan remains highly exposed to climate-induced disasters, including glacial lake outburst floods, water scarcity, land degradation and extreme weather events.
Green Pakistan Programme Gets Major Share
The Green Pakistan Programme will remain the ministry’s flagship ecological restoration initiative in the new fiscal year. The programme is designed to support forest conservation, biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration, while also creating opportunities linked to carbon financing.
According to ministry documents, three new components are being added to the programme. These include a Wildlife Rescue Centre and Urban Forestry Unit in Margalla Hills National Park, a National Botanical Garden at Bani Gala, and a Pollution Load Assessment Network to monitor air and water pollution in Islamabad.
Ministry spokesperson and climate policy advocacy specialist Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said climate resilience had become a central part of Pakistan’s development strategy.
“These investments are aimed at protecting people, restoring ecosystems and ensuring that the country is better prepared to confront emerging threats posed by glacial retreat, GLOFs, water stress, heat extremes, forest fires and environmental degradation,” he said.
Green Skills and Youth Employment
The PSDP allocation includes Rs51.6 million for the Green Skills for Sustainable Development initiative. The project aims to equip young people with skills required for a low-carbon economy and promote green entrepreneurship.
Shaikh said investment in youth and innovation could help turn climate challenges into economic opportunities.
“Green jobs and green entrepreneurship represent the future. By empowering young people with climate-relevant skills, Pakistan can simultaneously tackle unemployment and build a resilient, sustainable economy,” he said.
Urban Resilience and Climate Planning
The ministry has also been allocated Rs50 million to prepare a National Urban Strategy and guidelines to reduce the impact of urban flooding, droughts and climate-related disasters. The initiative is being implemented with support from the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund and UN-Habitat.
Shaikh said Pakistan’s rapidly expanding cities required climate-smart planning to better withstand extreme weather events.
“Through improved urban planning and disaster-sensitive spatial development, we aim to make cities safer, more resilient and better prepared for future shocks,” he said.
Institutional Capacity and Climate Finance
An additional Rs40.66 million has been allocated to strengthen the ministry’s technical capacity in climate finance, marine biodiversity, water, sanitation and hazardous waste management.
Shaikh said stronger institutions and evidence-based policymaking were necessary for effective climate governance and for improving Pakistan’s access to international climate finance.
The ministry also said two projects, water quality monitoring and the Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House, would conclude on June 30 after achieving key milestones in environmental governance and public health systems.
The PSDP portfolio for FY2026-27 is expected to support Pakistan’s climate adaptation goals while helping communities prepare for floods, droughts and other climate-related risks.
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