New Guides to Unlock Climate Finance in Pakistan

News Desk 

Peshawar: The Pakistan Environment Trust (PET), with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), has successfully launched Pakistan’s first Carbon Project Development Playbooks.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, these playbooks serve as step-by-step guides for project developers to design and implement Afforestation, Reforestation, and Restoration (ARR) and Clean Cooking carbon projects. The goal is to mobilize climate finance for Pakistan’s voluntary carbon market (VCM).

PET’s Executive Director, Hasan Anwer, highlighted the need for capacity building and standardized guidance in the carbon market sector, stating: “With Pakistan’s vast potential for nature-based solutions, these playbooks provide a practical roadmap for developing high-quality carbon projects that can attract global climate finance.”

Khalida Bashir, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCC), emphasized the importance of a structured approach to climate finance: “Pakistan must take proactive steps to integrate carbon markets into its climate strategy. These playbooks are a crucial tool for ensuring transparency, credibility, and accessibility in project development.”

Leslie Scanlon, High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s climate initiatives: “The launch of these playbooks marks a significant milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s carbon markets. By equipping project developers with technical knowledge and best practices, we are fostering an enabling environment for sustainable investment and long-term climate action.”

The next phase of this initiative will focus on capacity building for government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and local project developers to implement the methodologies outlined in the playbooks. PET also aims to expand its efforts by developing additional playbooks for Blue Carbon, Regenerative Agriculture, and Industrial Carbon Solutions.

PET invites government stakeholders, private investors, and project developers to collaborate in scaling Pakistan’s carbon market and building a pipeline of bankable projects.