On Friday, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, proposed a new framework for climate resilience that would involve shared accountability and investment from the public and private sectors, with the goal of customizing solutions to the particular problems encountered.
Pakistan needs to take inspiration from international best practices. By working together, we can build a climate-resilient Pakistan that is stronger against environmental threats, breathes cleaner, and grows greener,” he said.
During the second day of an international conference called Breathe Pakistan, the minister was speaking at a session called “Igniting a Dialogue Between the Government & the Corporate Sector on: A New Blueprint for Climate Resilience in Pakistan”.
According to him, climate resilience is a national necessity that necessitates close public-private cooperation and is not merely the duty of the government.
He warned that glacial melt in the Himalayas was accelerating, increasing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which threatened seven million people in northern Pakistan. “Rising temperatures are reducing agricultural productivity, with estimates suggesting a 30-40% drop in wheat and rice yields by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.”
He said urban air pollution cost Pakistan’s economy approximately 6.5% of its GDP annually due to healthcare expenses and productivity losses.
Globally, the minister said, climate-resilient nations have embraced strong public-private partnerships to mitigate risks and foster sustainability.
Citing examples, he said the EU’s Green Deal was aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, offering €1 trillion in green investments for businesses. China’s Green Finance Guidelines required banks to direct 25% of new loans toward sustainable projects. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) set a precedent in solar energy expansion and smart climate policies that aligned with business incentives.
He reiterated the PML-N government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient and sustainable Pakistan, adding, “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is an economic and security challenge that demands urgent and coordinated action.”
He said the PML-N government has always prioritized sustainable development, green growth, and disaster resilience, and “Under our leadership, we have taken bold steps to strengthen climate governance, mobilize resources, and integrate sustainability into national policies.”
He also shared some of key initiatives including Vision 2025; Pakistan Green Growth Initiative; Renewable Energy Transition; Climate-Resilient Infrastructure; Advocacy for Climate Finance, adding “These, however, require strong private-sector participation to be truly transformative. We need businesses to align their strategies with Pakistan’s national climate goals and work with the government to accelerate climate adaptation and green innovation.”
He said the government strategy for climate resilient Pakistan revolved around three key pillars including Green Growth & Sustainable Industries; Climate-Smart Infrastructure & Urban Resilience; and Financing Climate Resilience.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan’s financial sector must adopt climate finance tools to help industries transition toward greener and more resilient practices, as seen across the globe, which have played a transformative role in driving climate resilience.
He said Pakistani businesses, particularly in agriculture and consumer goods, could take inspiration from the world’s best models to embed sustainability in product development, supply chain management, and brand positioning.
The minister assured that the government would facilitate regulatory ease for businesses investing in green initiatives and offer policy and financial incentives to accelerate climate adaptation and strengthen climate governance with transparency and accountability.
He called upon Pakistan’s corporate sector to align their business models with Pakistan’s climate resilience strategy, co-invest in green infrastructure, renewable energy, and carbon reduction initiatives, and drive innovation in climate-smart technologies to help Pakistan transition toward a sustainable future.
