By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan plans to establish a Green University aimed at developing climate-resilient human capital, promoting green innovation and supporting the country's transition toward a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) is advancing the initiative to equip young professionals with advanced green skills and encourage applied research in climate and environmental fields.

The proposed university is expected to play a key role in preparing a workforce capable of addressing climate challenges and supporting emerging sectors linked to environmental sustainability, renewable energy and resource efficiency.

As part of broader efforts to promote climate-focused innovation, the ministry is also launching a "Shark Tank"-style National Green Startup Innovation Challenge. The initiative will provide a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to present climate-smart business ideas to potential investors and development partners.

The challenge is designed to facilitate access to funding, mentorship and partnerships, while encouraging youth participation in climate action and supporting the growth of green enterprises.

The survey highlights that Pakistan is simultaneously strengthening its climate governance framework through the Pakistan Climate Change Authority (PCCA), established under the Pakistan Climate Change Act 2017 alongside the Pakistan Climate Change Council and the Pakistan Climate Change Fund.

Mandated to mobilise international climate finance and support the implementation of climate policies, the authority has so far developed more than 38 project proposals and secured approval for three projects.

During FY2025-26, institutional arrangements, operational rules and procedural frameworks for both the authority and the climate fund were finalised to improve implementation capacity.

The PCCA is currently engaging with the Green Climate Fund as Pakistan's first national entity seeking Direct Access Readiness Support in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.

According to the survey, the proposed support mechanism aims to strengthen coordination, monitoring, data management and reporting of climate-related interventions across the country.

Pakistan is also continuing large-scale afforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts under the Green Pakistan Programme. The survey notes that the country's forest area currently stands at approximately 4.1 million hectares, representing about 4.7 percent of the total land area, while annual deforestation is estimated at around 11,000 hectares.

Under the programme, around 2.3 billion plants have been raised, regenerated or distributed nationwide. By March 2026, a cumulative 2,283.3 million plants had been planted, regenerated or distributed, achieving 69.3 percent progress and increasing tree cover across approximately 0.7 million hectares.

During July-March FY2025-26, provinces and territories reported the planting, regeneration or distribution of 30.5 million plants. Sindh achieved 86 percent of its plantation target, followed by Punjab with 79 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 73 percent, Gilgit-Baltistan 62 percent, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 34 percent and Balochistan 28 percent.

The survey also highlights progress in biodiversity conservation. Pakistan is revising its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and has ratified the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.

Protected areas across the country have expanded to 476 sites, covering more than 20 percent of Pakistan's territory, including marine ecosystems, reflecting growing efforts to conserve biodiversity and strengthen environmental resilience.

The initiatives form part of Pakistan's broader strategy to address climate challenges through education, innovation, ecosystem restoration and institutional strengthening as the country seeks to build resilience against the increasing impacts of climate change.

Credit: INP-WealthPk