Sindh identifies carbon projects capable of cutting 330m tonnes of emissions
KARACHI: Sindh has finalized 13 carbon-market projects with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 330.13 million tonnes, while preparing six additional climate projects worth USD62.15 million.
The provincial government seeks to attract investment and strengthen its response to climate change ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).
The projects were outlined by Sindh Environment Secretary Faisal Ahmed Uqaili at a pre-COP31 workshop organised jointly by the Karachi Centre for Climate Change and the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in Karachi on Saturday.
The 13 projects, approved by the provincial government and forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Climate Change, cover wind power, emission reductions in the energy sector, biochar production from agricultural waste, methane mitigation and sustainable forestry.
These projects have a combined potential to reduce emissions by 330.13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The six priority projects, estimated to cost USD62.15 million, include biogas initiatives in five districts, floating agriculture in lower Sindh, measures to reduce emissions from brick kilns and capacity-building in climate finance.
Addressing the workshop, Faisal Uqaili said Sindh was pursuing policy development, institutional reforms and practical interventions to address the growing threat of climate change and protect the environment.
He said the province faced mounting risks from extreme heat, floods, water scarcity, rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion into coastal areas, requiring coordinated efforts by the government, private sector and international partners.
Sindh’s provincial recommendations for Pakistan’s third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) had been prepared, while work was underway on a digital climate registry and dashboard to monitor carbon emissions and assess the performance of climate projects.
The government was also working with educational institutions to promote research and strengthen the implementation of environmental laws, while providing guidance to industries on sustainable practices, he said.
The workshop brought together government officials, investors, environmental experts and representatives of relevant sectors to explore investment opportunities in climate mitigation and environmental protection.
Discussions focused on clean water supplies, restoration of agricultural land and orchards, industrial pollution, carbon emission reductions, promotion of electric vehicles and transparency in carbon-market projects.
Karachi Centre for Climate Change Founding Director Balint Sohel stressed the need to translate Pakistan’s climate commitments into bankable projects capable of attracting investment.
He said private-sector participation was particularly important in addressing water, energy and carbon-related challenges in an industrial and coastal city like Karachi.
Lahore High Court Justice Jawad Hassan highlighted the importance of effective environmental legislation, public-interest safeguards and a predictable regulatory framework declaring legal certainty essential to encourage private investment in climate-related initiatives.
Participants welcomed the provincial government’s initiatives and expressed hope that Sindh’s experience and proposed projects would contribute to climate action at the forthcoming global conference.
COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. Pakistan is expected to present its national climate priorities at the conference, with representation from both federal and provincial governments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026