Climate Resilience

Thematic Goal

Anticipating the impacts and opportunities related to climate change, AKRSP aims to ensure that individuals and communities take appropriate local action. This includes fostering regenerative natural resources management, promoting afforestation, and advancing clean energy projects to build resilience and sustainability.

The Context

Pakistan is among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing rising temperatures, erratic weather, and frequent disasters. These changes threaten livelihoods, food security, and natural ecosystems, with both mountain and coastal regions experiencing distinct but interconnected challenges. Addressing these requires urgent adaptation and resilience-building efforts.

In the north, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral-home to some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions- are experiencing accelerated glacial retreat, unpredictable precipitation, and frequent natural disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslides. These environmental shifts put immense pressure on communities reliant on agriculture, water resources, and forests, making climate resilience essential.

Meanwhile, in the south, Sindh’s Thatta and Sujawal districts face rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and saline intrusion, which threaten agriculture and food security. The increasing intensity of cyclones and floods further exacerbates vulnerabilities, requiring adaptive solutions to sustain livelihoods.

Key Intervention Areas

Large Scale Afforestation

Promotion of Clean Energy

Promotion of Green Businesses/Organisations

Promotion of climate smart agricultural practices

Climate Awareness to Local Communities

Achievements & Impacts:

For over four decades, AKRSP has been working with the local communities to build resilience against climate change while improving livelihoods. Through large-scale afforestation and green infrastructure development, it has restored degraded landscapes, enhanced biodiversity, and supported carbon sequestration. AKRSP’s investments in renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered irrigation and micro-hydro projects, have further lowered carbon emissions while providing sustainable energy to remote areas.

Climate-smart agriculture initiatives have introduced adaptive farming techniques, including water conservation, drought-resistant crops, and organic farming, strengthening food security and resource efficiency. AKRSP has also promoted green businesses by encouraging eco-friendly entrepreneurship through the START Apna Karobar Programme, focusing on waste recycling, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism. Additionally, it has built solar-powered IT hubs, creating green jobs and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

At the heart of these efforts is civil society capacity building, equipping local organisations and communities with the knowledge and skills to drive climate adaptation and mitigation.