Pakistan advancing climate resilience through National Adaptation Plan, NA told

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2026) Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal informed the National Assembly that Pakistan is implementing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023 to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change by integrating adaptation measures into national development planning and addressing growing climate risks in an inclusive and sustainable manner.

Responding to a question in the House, the minister clarified that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination does not deal with a National Action Plan. Instead, it is working under the National Adaptation Plan 2023, which provides a strategic framework for tackling climate challenges and enhancing the country’s ability to adapt to climate impacts.

She said the plan focuses on key priority areas including the agriculture–water nexus through climate-smart agriculture, efficient irrigation systems and sustainable water management. It also emphasizes restoration of ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, improved water quality and management of air pollution as part of protecting natural capital.

The minister said urban resilience is another important area under the plan, focusing on climate-resilient urban planning, improved services and nature-based solutions. The plan also aims to strengthen human capital by developing resilient health and education systems and preparing a climate-ready workforce.

She further said disaster risk management forms a critical component of the strategy, including early warning systems, risk reduction and resilient recovery mechanisms. Special attention is also being given to gender, youth and social inclusion to ensure vulnerable groups are empowered and included in climate adaptation initiatives.

Dr. Shezra said the ministry is working to ensure that climate adaptation is integrated into the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and provincial Annual Development Programmes (ADPs). A vulnerability assessment tool is also being developed in collaboration with provincial governments to ensure that all flood-affected populations are adequately covered in planning and response mechanisms.

She informed the House that during the last two years the ministry has initiated several climate-related projects with the support of international partners including the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund.

These initiatives include the Recharge Pakistan project in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; the Community Resilience Partnership Program in Sindh; the Acumen Climate Action Pakistan Fund; Integrated Climate Risk Management projects in Buner and Shangla districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and the Resilient Water Infrastructure Facility across the country.

Other initiatives include the Domestic Private Sector Climate Action project, the Glaciers to Farms regional program, projects to combat land degradation in northern Punjab districts of Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum, the Bananas in Pakistan’s Bioeconomy initiative in Sindh, and the SAFER Pakistan program in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

The minister said these projects aim to reduce flood exposure, improve water-use efficiency, stabilize agricultural yields, strengthen ecosystem and community resilience and enhance institutional capacity for climate risk management. She added that a digital monitoring and evaluation system is being developed to track progress of the National Adaptation Plan, which is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

She explained that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination does not directly implement these projects. Instead, their implementation is overseen by Project Steering Committees comprising multiple stakeholders, including provincial governments.

Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal said climate-induced disasters such as floods, heatwaves and droughts are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change and are posing serious threats to vulnerable populations in Pakistan as well as globally.

The minister added that the ministry ensures equitable allocation of adaptation resources through a vulnerability and risk assessment-based approach. Provincial governments have also been requested to operationalize the National Adaptation Plan at the district level through locally led District Adaptation Plans.

She said the Global Change Impact Studies Centre supports the process through high-resolution climate projections and sectoral impact assessments, while the Planning Commission applies the Climate and Hazard Initial Risk Assessment at the PSDP and PC-I stage to guide project design and ensure resources are directed to the most climate-vulnerable regions and communities.

APP/tsw-zah