Govt allocates over Rs2bn for climate action

June 15, 2026 (MLN): A total of Rs2.478 billion has been set aside for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination under the Public Sector Development Programme for 2026-27, with funds directed at afforestation, urban resilience and climate adaptation to bolster Pakistan's capacity against mounting environmental pressures.

Four projects will begin receiving disbursements from July 1, with the bulk of the allocation Rs2.335bn channelled into the Up-scaling of Green Pakistan Programme.

The flagship initiative targets expanded forest cover, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and restoration of degraded ecosystems, according to APP.

The allocations arrive against a backdrop of deepening climate concerns, including glacial melting, glacial lake outburst floods, water scarcity, deforestation, heatwaves, forest fires and land degradation.

Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said the PSDP portfolio showed the government's intent to embed climate resilience within national development planning.

"Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership, climate resilience has become a central pillar of Pakistan's development strategy," he said, adding that the investments were designed to protect communities, restore ecosystems and strengthen preparedness against climate-related threats.

Three new components are to be added to the Green Pakistan Programme: a Wildlife Rescue Centre and Urban Forestry Unit within Margalla Hills National Park, a National Botanical Garden at Bani Gala, and a Pollution Load Assessment Network to track air and water pollution levels in Islamabad.

An allocation of Rs51.6 million has been reserved for the Green Skills for Sustainable Development initiative, targeting youth training for a low-carbon economy and green entrepreneurship.

Shaikh described green jobs as "the future," arguing that equipping young people with climate-relevant skills would help address unemployment while building economic resilience.

A further Rs50m is earmarked for developing a National Urban Strategy and accompanying guidelines to reduce the impact of urban flooding, droughts and other climate-induced disasters.

The initiative is being carried out with support from the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund and UN-Habitat.

Rs40.66m has additionally been allocated for strengthening the ministry's institutional capacities across climate finance, marine biodiversity, water, sanitation and hazardous waste management.

Shaikh said stronger institutions would improve Pakistan's ability to access international climate finance and honour its environmental commitments.

The spokesperson also noted that two ongoing projects water quality monitoring and the Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House are set to conclude on June 30 after completing key milestones in environmental governance and public health systems.

The ministry said the 2026-27 PSDP portfolio is expected to advance Pakistan's climate adaptation goals while building resilience against floods, droughts, heatwaves and related risks.

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