Pakistan is set to benefit from a major climate adaptation project as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a US$250 million package aimed at helping vulnerable regions adapt to worsening climate-risks.
Under the scheme, carried out in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan’s mountainous areas, especially around the Swat River basin, will receive support to advance water management, agriculture resilience, and disaster readiness amid glacier-melt threats.
The climate adaptation funding means farmers, mountain-communities, and women-led enterprises will gain access to improved irrigation systems, enhanced early warning tools, and climate-smart agricultural guidance. Officials say roughly 13 million people across the region may benefit directly.
For Pakistan, which already faces intense floods, droughts, and glacier-melt risks, this climate adaptation initiative arrives at a critical moment. A recent report highlighted how the country remains at the forefront of global climate-vulnerable nations.
This push for climate adaptation aligns with efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who earlier this year emphasised the need for global cooperation on glacier protection during a summit. The new funding builds on that momentum and signals real international backing.
Still, while the US$250 million package is sizeable, experts say Pakistan’s overall climate financing gap runs far larger, particularly for adaptation efforts. Governments and agencies point out that unlocking and maintaining these funds will be key to turning promises into tangible results on the ground.
In the coming months, attention will focus on how swiftly the project’s components are rolled out, how local stakeholders are engaged, and whether the benefits reach remote and vulnerable populations. The hope is that meaningful adaptation translates into stronger resilience for Pakistan’s climate-exposed communities and a replicable model for other nations.
