Pakistan is at an important crossroads. It is in the midst of a major economic growth period, with its GDP projected to grow by more than 5% in the current fiscal year – the highest growth in a decade. The country’s Vision 2025 provides for major industrial expansion and the launch of new infrastructure projects, especially under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, all of which would result in increased energy demand.

But Pakistan is vulnerable to climate change and faces negative climate impacts. The country’s leaders are aware of the requirement for climate mitigation and adaptation in order to ensure long-term sustainability. With that in mind, Pakistan aims to decouple greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth and development, and to pursue a new, low-carbon pathway that is consistent with development frameworks, including Vision 2025 and the SDGs, and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In order to do this, the Government has sought suggestions from both national and international experts for a low-carbon development pathway that will place Pakistan on a trajectory towards becoming a climate-responsive member of the global community, while also strengthening the national economy. CDKN is pleased to have contributed to this national conversation.

This Climate and Development Outlook Pakistan Special Edition highlights CDKN's programme in the country and features:

• How CDKN’s work with partners towards developing a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) for Sialkot City, Pakistan’s manufacturing hub, got local businesses on board - and what we learned from the process;
• A disaster risk insurance framework for Pakistan that could help the poorest households to have a safety net against climate-related losses;
• A low-carbon pathway for Pakistan’s development future: experts have provided the Government of Pakistan with options.