Grant-Based Financial Aid
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated the urgent need for predictable, flexible, and grant-based financial support for developing nations to help them build climate-resilient infrastructure and invest in sustainable development.
Speaking via a video message at an international climate conference, he emphasized that without such financial assistance, the path to climate adaptation and green transformation would remain out of reach for many vulnerable nations.
Addressing the global gathering, PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s paradoxical climate story, stressing that despite contributing less than 1% to global carbon emissions, the country remains one of the most climate-affected nations in the world.
He pointed out that Pakistan has faced devastating climate-related disasters, including catastrophic floods, accelerating glacial melt, scorching heatwaves, and prolonged droughts, all of which have severely impacted millions of lives.
Recalling the 2022 floods, the prime minister reminded attendees that one-third of Pakistan had been submerged under water, displacing 33 million people and claiming 1,700 lives. This calamity, he stated, was a stark reminder that climate change was no longer a distant threat but an immediate crisis requiring urgent global action.
PM Shehbaz appreciated the efforts of conference organizers for convening discussions on what he termed as “one of the most pressing challenges of our times.” He acknowledged that while Pakistan had established key frameworks such as the National Climate Change Policy 2021 and the National Adaptation Plan 2023, these measures alone were not enough to combat the growing climate crisis.
Recognizing significant gaps in implementation, the government has focused on governance reforms, policy execution, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure better climate resilience.
He also highlighted the country’s ambitious transformation initiatives, including the 5Es and 5Cs frameworks, which are part of Pakistan’s broader climate action plan, Uraan Pakistan. These initiatives aim to integrate climate resilience into sectors such as energy, economic equity, connectivity, and overall development.
Concluding his address, the prime minister urged global stakeholders to turn discussions into tangible action, ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for Pakistan and other climate-vulnerable nations.
Pakistan ranks among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries and suffered an estimated $30 billion loss due to the 2022 floods. The disaster directly affected millions, underscoring the need for international financial support to help the country rebuild in a sustainable manner.
In response to the increasing climate threats, Pakistan introduced its first National Climate Finance Strategy (NCFS) in November 2024, focusing on mobilizing investments for climate resilience. The NCFS serves as a roadmap for strengthening climate-proof policies, clarifying institutional roles, and improving financial systems to support environmental sustainability.
The strategy follows a three-pronged approach, including whole-of-government alignment, diversification of domestic financial resources, and the introduction of innovative funding mechanisms to unlock large-scale climate finance.
With transparency and accountability at its core, the NCFS is backed by a three-tiered monitoring system to ensure that all climate finance efforts align with Pakistan’s national commitments and global climate goals.
The prime minister’s call for grant-based financial support reflects Pakistan’s urgent need for resources to combat climate challenges effectively and highlights the broader need for developed nations to step up in assisting vulnerable countries in their fight against climate change.
