In response to a year marked by severe floods, debilitating heatwaves, and increasing water scarcity, Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCCand EC) has outlined a series of key actions, including a 300-day national preparedness plan, to bolster the country’s defences against escalating climate extremes.
According to a statement on Wednesday, throughout 2025, climate resilience and disaster readiness dominated policy discussions and response mechanisms as Pakistan repeatedly faced extreme weather events, ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh confirmed.
The comprehensive strategy, rolled out on the prime minister’s directives, aims to enhance coordination between federal and provincial authorities ahead of future monsoon seasons.
‘The emphasis has been on improving early warning systems, flood mitigation measures and restoring critical infrastructure damaged by recurring climate shocks,’ Mr Shaikh detailed, adding that the framework is designed to address institutional fragmentation and quicken emergency response.
The year 2025 also saw prolonged and intense heatwaves across Sindh, Balochistan, and parts of southern Punjab, compelling the ministry to champion integrated heat adaptation measures. These actions included public health advisories, emergency water provisions, and the establishment of cooling centres in high-risk zones.
‘Heatwaves are no longer episodic events; they are structural features of our climate reality,’ the spokesperson remarked, stressing that urban planning and public health systems must evolve to reflect rising temperature trends.
On the policy front, the ministry approved Pakistan’s third carbon credit initiative under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. The “Safe Drinking Water Programme in Punjab”, a collaboration with the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority and a South Korean firm, is poised to attract foreign investment while cutting emissions through expanded access to clean drinking water.
While describing the project as a step towards monetising climate mitigation, Shaikh cautioned that carbon markets are not a panacea for the nation”s broader adaptation financing needs. ‘Carbon credits may help fund specific projects, but they are not a substitute for large-scale climate finance promised to climate-vulnerable countries,’ he articulated.
During a World Earth Day event, Federal Minister Senator Dr Musadik Masood Malik reaffirmed the country”s dedication to shifting towards renewable energy. The ministry noted that while progress continues on clean energy policies, translating ambition into practice remains a challenge.
The rapid melting of Pakistan’s more than 13,000 glaciers emerged as another pressing concern. In response, the ministry has prepared an initial framework for a glacier protection and climate adaptation policy, which has been circulated for stakeholder consultation to address the rising risk of glacial lake outburst floods in northern areas.
‘Glacier protection can no longer be treated as a regional issue; it has national implications for water security and disaster risk,’ the spokesperson stressed.
Internationally, Pakistan maintained a robust presence at global forums, including the UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil. The delegation renewed calls for predictable climate finance, technology transfer, and for developed nations to fulfil their commitments.
Shaikh underscored that Pakistan suffers disproportionate losses from climate change despite contributing less than one per cent to global emissions, making climate diplomacy vital for securing necessary adaptation funding.
Water security was a persistent theme throughout the year. During Pakistan Water Week, ministry officials warned of a long-term crisis fuelled by erratic rainfall, glacial retreat, and groundwater depletion affecting both agriculture and urban centres.
The ministry also advanced work on climate-appropriate plantation projects along highways and progressed towards developing a national framework for managing electronic waste.
Efforts to strengthen public awareness and climate risk communication were also enhanced throughout the year, in partnership with the Pakistan Meteorological Department and disaster management authorities, Shaikh added.