Pak–UK Green Compact: A Landmark Partnership for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development
The Pakistan–UK Green Compact is a historic agreement aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s resilience to climate change and promoting environmental protection. Under this accord, Pakistan and the United Kingdom have committed to a long-term partnership to address the climate crisis and advance sustainable development.
The signing ceremony of the UK–Pakistan Green Compact was held in Islamabad under the auspices of the British High Commission. The event was attended by UK Minister for Planning and Development Jenefer Chapman, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Ayesha Humaira Moriani, Joint Secretaries Shahbaz Mustafa, Nazia Zaib Ali and Khalida Bashir, Political Officer for Climate and Economy at the British High Commission Sarbjit Singh, Deputy Head of Communications Sniha Lala, and other senior officials.
The primary objective of the Green Compact is to support Pakistan in climate disaster preparedness and its transition toward green energy. Under the agreement, the UK has pledged £35 million (approximately Rs12 billion) for climate protection and green energy initiatives in Pakistan. These funds will be utilized to support climate projects and environmental conservation efforts across the country. Of the total amount, £15 million will be allocated to establish the Pakistan Climate Financing Facility, aimed at promoting affordable and clean electricity generation to reduce reliance on coal and oil. Another £20 million will be dedicated to the protection and restoration of mangroves, ensuring the conservation of Pakistan’s coastal forests. These mangroves serve as a vital “first line of defense” for coastal cities, including Karachi, by protecting them from cyclones, coastal erosion, and flooding.
Under the Green Compact, modern solar and wind energy projects will also be launched. By attracting private investment, the initiative is expected to drive a transformation in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector. A key focus of the agreement is youth and innovation. Young people will be provided platforms and support to develop environmentally friendly ideas and green startups.
In this regard, the UK has also announced a Climate Change Competition aimed at identifying innovative, youth-led climate solutions and connecting them with potential investors, further strengthening Pakistan’s green transition and climate resilience.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik, while addressing the ceremony, warned that another major climate disaster could reduce Pakistan’s entire GDP to zero. He said the losses caused by the 2022 floods were estimated at 9.5 percent of the country’s GDP, an alarmingly high figure.
He stressed that Pakistan, already struggling for economic recovery, cannot afford the burden of another large-scale flood or climate catastrophe. Referring to past disasters, the minister said floods had claimed 4,700 lives and displaced nearly 40 million people across the country.
Highlighting the ground reality of climate change impacts on Pakistan, Dr Malik said the country is facing some of the most severe climate extremes. Floods this year and in 2022 inflicted massive damage, leaving affected areas unable to return to normalcy for months and depriving thousands of children of access to education.
He described the launch of the UK-Pakistan Green Compact as a “breath of fresh air” and expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for supporting Pakistan in addressing climate-related challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, UK Minister for Planning and Development Jenefer Chapman said the cost of inaction on climate change would be far greater than the cost of taking timely measures. She emphasized the urgent need for concrete action to tackle climate change and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Pakistan. Calling the Green Compact a significant step for environmental protection, she said both countries aim to work closely under this framework.
During the launch event, several organizations working on climate change, environmental protection, and wildlife conservation in Pakistan set up stalls and briefed participants on their initiatives. The displays attracted keen interest from attendees. UK Minister Jenefer Chapman also visited the stalls, accompanied by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott and other dignitaries.
