Climate ministry gets Rs2.478bn PSDP allocation for four green projects

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has secured Rs2.478 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme for fiscal year 2026-27, starting on July 1, to fund four ongoing initiatives focused on ecological restoration, green skills, urban climate resilience and institutional strengthening, according to a ministry statement.

The largest share, Rs2.335 billion, has been set aside for the Up-scaling of Green Pakistan Programme, the ministry’s flagship project aimed at expanding afforestation, conserving biodiversity, increasing carbon sequestration and restoring natural ecosystems. The ministry said the allocation reflects the government’s focus on improving climate resilience and embedding environmental sustainability in the wider development agenda.

Officials said the PSDP allocations were in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s stated commitment to prepare the country for growing climate risks, including glacial melting, glacial lake outburst floods, water scarcity, deforestation, heatwaves, forest fires and land degradation, which they said have become more frequent and severe in recent years.

Ministry spokesperson and climate policy advocacy specialist Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said climate resilience had become a key part of national development planning under the prime minister.

"Under the prime minister, climate resilience has become a central pillar 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 informed.

Shaikh said the budget showed a stronger government commitment to climate resilience and nature-based solutions at a time when Pakistan remains among the countries most exposed to climate-related disasters.

"The PSDP allocation for FY2026-27 demonstrates that climate action is no longer a peripheral issue but a national development priority. These investments are designed to strengthen ecosystems, create green economic opportunities and protect communities against the growing impacts of climate change," he added.

Green Pakistan Programme additions

According to ministry documents, three new components are being added to the Green Pakistan Programme: 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 for monitoring air and water pollution in Islamabad.

Shaikh said the programme would remain the country’s main ecological restoration initiative and would help expand forest cover, protect biodiversity and create opportunities for carbon financing. "Restoring natural capital is an investment in Pakistan’s future. Healthy forests and ecosystems not only absorb carbon emissions but also support livelihoods, water security and disaster resilience," he said.

Youth, cities and institutional capacity

The ministry has also been allocated Rs51.6 million for the Green Skills for Sustainable Development initiative, which is intended to equip young people with skills for a low-carbon economy and promote green entrepreneurship.

On that initiative, Shaikh said investment in youth and innovation could turn climate pressures into economic opportunities.

A further Rs50 million has been earmarked for preparing a National Urban Strategy and guidelines aimed at reducing the impact of urban flooding, droughts and other climate-related disasters. The ministry said the initiative is being implemented with support from the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund and UN-Habitat.

Describing urban resilience as an urgent priority, Shaikh said rapidly growing cities in Pakistan needed climate-smart planning to cope with increasingly frequent extreme weather events. "Recent years have shown that climate risks are intensifying. Through improved urban planning and disaster-sensitive spatial development, we aim to make cities safer, more resilient and better prepared for future shocks," he added.

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 institutional capacity would help Pakistan improve access to international climate finance and meet its environmental obligations more effectively.

"Climate governance today demands robust institutions, sound science and evidence-based policymaking. Strengthening these capacities is essential for delivering meaningful climate action and safeguarding the country’s development gains," he added.

Officials said two projects — water quality monitoring and the Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House — would conclude on June 30 after achieving major milestones in strengthening environmental governance and public health systems. The ministry said its PSDP portfolio for 2026-27 is expected to support Pakistan’s climate adaptation goals and bolster resilience against floods, droughts and other climate-related threats.