The intersection of economic stability and environmental fragility was the central theme at the 4th Pakistan Climate Conference, where experts revealed a stark reality: Pakistan is currently losing approximately 1% of its GDP every year due to severe climate-related damages. Organized by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), the high-level forum convened federal ministers, business executives, and international development partners to chart a course from rhetoric to bankable climate action.
The Existential Threat and Economic Imperative
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Masood Malik delivered a sobering keynote, categorizing the climate crisis not merely as an environmental issue but as a direct existential threat to the nation. Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan finds itself on the frontline of the catastrophe.
Dr. Malik highlighted the devastating metrics defining Pakistan’s vulnerability:
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریں- Record-breaking 53°C heatwaves.
- Catastrophic floods that displaced 4 million people in the previous year.
- The rapid recession of over 13,000 melting glaciers in the northern regions.
He emphasized that climate resilience must evolve beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to become a core economic imperative. The minister outlined Pakistan’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0, which sets an ambitious target of a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2035. However, achieving a just transition requires a staggering investment of $565.7 billion. Dr. Malik called for international climate finance that is sustainable, grant-based, and firmly rooted in climate justice.
Shifting from Policy to Investable Projects
Addressing the financial mechanisms required to combat these challenges, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need to operationalize existing frameworks. While Pakistan has successfully established the National Adaptation Plan, the Climate Prosperity Plan, and a Green Taxonomy, the focus must now pivot toward mobilizing capital.
Senator Aurangzeb highlighted that the public sector alone cannot shoulder the cost of adaptation. He urged the private sector to provide capital, innovation, and technical expertise to develop investable projects. This sentiment was echoed by Chongguang Yu (Charles), Regional Lead for Sustainable Finance at the UNDP. Yu argued that the primary hurdle is not a lack of global capital, but rather fragmented systems. He advocated for blended finance, robust risk-sharing mechanisms, and programmatic investment pipelines to unlock scalable participation from private enterprises.
Mobilizing Sustainable Finance and Global Partnerships
OICCI President Yousaf Hussain noted tangible progress in the government’s climate agenda, citing recent engagements at the World Economic Forum (Davos) and the finalization of a $20 billion, 10-year Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank. A significant upcoming milestone mentioned was the preparation for launching Pakistan’s first Green Panda Bond, a move signaling credible national commitment to sustainable finance.
Rehan Shaikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Pakistan, reinforced that building resilience and strengthening public–private partnerships are critical for Pakistan’s long-term competitiveness. He noted that banking support for platforms like the OICCI conference is essential to move the agenda from “intent to action.”
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریںFuture Outlook: Blue Economy and AI Integration
The conference also looked ahead to COP30 and the modernization of Pakistan’s infrastructure. Jason Avanceña, Senior Vice President of OICCI, highlighted that discussions are now focusing on translating commitments into practical results. Key areas of focus include:
- Modernizing the strained national power grid.
- Accelerating renewable energy adoption.
- Unlocking opportunities in the Blue Economy through coastal resilience and marine sustainability.
- Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance climate forecasting and reduce disaster losses.
Recognizing Leaders: The OICCI Climate Excellence Awards
The event concluded by recognizing corporate leaders who are successfully integrating circular economy principles and water stewardship into their operations. The 2nd OICCI Climate Excellence Awards honored the following organizations:
- Climate Excellence (Main Award): Nestlé Pakistan
- Climate Action: Dawlance (Winner), Unilever (Runner-up).
- Water Stewardship: Pakistan Tobacco Company (Winner), Reckitt (Runner-up).
- Renewable Energy: Atlas Honda Limited and Martin Dow Group (Winners).
- Circular Economy: PepsiCo Pakistan (Winner), Tetra Pak (Runner-up).
- Sustainable Finance: Mobilink Microfinance Bank (Winner).
The consensus among the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), SECP, Asian Development Bank, and corporate leaders present was clear: climate policy can no longer sit at the margins. It must drive Pakistan’s economic planning and national development agenda.
