The University of Lahore (UOL), through its strategic platform Continuum, has partnered with CLIMENA LLC to launch Pakistan’s largest multi-disciplinary climate and sustainability talent program. The initiative aims to train a national pipeline of 10,000 climate-ready professionals over the next 24 months.
This ambitious project integrates UOL’s alumni network, industry partnerships, and impact ecosystem to bridge academic learning with practical execution. It represents Continuum’s first major international collaboration and addresses Pakistan’s growing need for skilled human capital in climate adaptation, mitigation, and ESG compliance.
Program Objectives and Focus Areas
The initiative is designed to deliver applied training, executive workshops, and micro-credentials for alumni, public sector professionals, development practitioners, and industry leaders. Participants will gain policy-relevant skills and implementation tools tailored to Pakistan and the Middle East.
Key areas of focus include:
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ESG and regulatory compliance for public and private institutions
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Climate finance, carbon markets, and green banking
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Climate technologies, including renewables, recycling, and green data centres
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Climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster risk management
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ESG data systems, MRV, and digital reporting
The program aims to strengthen local execution capacity, enabling businesses, banks, government ministries, development agencies, and donors to translate climate and ESG commitments into actionable projects.
Impact on Industries and Public Sector
Participants will include engineers designing net-zero infrastructure, healthcare professionals building climate-resilient health systems, and leaders in textile and manufacturing advancing circular economy initiatives. Public sector teams will also benefit, improving ESG reporting and climate data systems to meet national and international standards.
The initiative will launch with a pilot cohort of 200 UOL alumni and students, before scaling to 10,000 professionals across Pakistan and the Middle East. This will create one of the most comprehensive regional ecosystems for climate, ESG, and sustainability talent.
Leadership Statements
“This initiative positions our alumni at the centre of Pakistan’s climate and sustainability transition,” said Awais Raoof, Chairman BoG, UOL. He emphasized that combining academic rigor with employer engagement equips government institutions and industries to meet ESG obligations and mobilize climate finance.
Dr Shahid Mahmud, Chairman and CEO of Interactive Group of Companies and Honorary Senior Adviser at OIC COMSTECH, representing CLIMENA, highlighted that the program strengthens execution capacity. “CLIMENA supports Pakistan and the region by scaling climate, ESG, and digital skills that enable compliance, project bankability, and sustainable development outcomes,” he said.
International Collaboration
CLIMENA, a joint venture between Fatima International UAE and Sustainadility LLC (USA), brings global ESG, climate finance, and compliance expertise to the initiative. By partnering with UOL’s academic leadership and alumni network, the program positions Pakistan as a regional hub for climate and ESG talent development.
The initiative also aligns with international development frameworks, SECP ESG disclosure requirements, and Middle East net-zero commitments, ensuring measurable outcomes and institutional readiness.
The UOL-CLIMENA program represents a transformative step in Pakistan’s climate and sustainability agenda, combining knowledge, industry partnerships, and international expertise to deliver skilled professionals ready to tackle pressing environmental challenges.
