Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) is a UK-funded initiative accelerating climate finance aligned with Pakistan’s priorities
Islamabad :- Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the launching ceremony of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA). The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) is a UK Government–funded technical assistance initiative aimed at accelerating the mobilisation of climate finance for projects and businesses aligned with Pakistan’s national climate priorities.
The high-level forum marked the launching ceremony of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) and brought together global leaders, policymakers, and civil media representatives.
Dr. Musadik Malik emphasised the central role of youth in driving Pakistan’s climate and economic transformation. He stated, “We are a developing economy, and there is an urgent need to empower our youth. If we provide access and opportunities to young people, they can bring about a revolution for this country and for our economy.”
Highlighting international examples, the Minister noted that only a decade ago, Beijing and Shanghai were among the most polluted cities in the world. “Today, China exports nearly 70 percent of the world’s solar technology. What did the Chinese youth have that Pakistani youth lack? It was not talent or ability, it was opportunity,” he said. Dr. Musadik Malik also referred to Finland’s experience, stating that Nordic countries had undertaken revolutionary measures to protect forests and promote environmental sustainability, lessons from which Pakistan could also benefit.
Minister underscored that programmes such as the Climate Finance Accelerator are critical in providing opportunities to young entrepreneurs and innovators. He briefed the audience on the Ministry’s Green Fields Programme, describing it as a platform where young innovators can pitch climate-focused ideas. “Under Green Fields, the Ministry will connect young entrepreneurs with national and international investors. We have already done this once. taking two Pakistani companies to Seville, Spain, where they pitched their ideas to international investors,” he shared.
Expressing appreciation for development partners, Dr. Musadik Malik said, “I am grateful that DAI is supporting us, not only through technical assistance but also through financial support.” He further stted, “We are going to work with our young people shoulder to shoulder. I want to turn this Ministry into an accelerator for youth, an incubation centre where ideas are nurtured, and scaled.”
Businesses tackling climate change in Pakistan are being sought by the Climate Finance Accelerator
(CFA) Pakistan with the launch of its latest Call for Proposals. The UK-funded programme is a global
technical assistance programme that supports climate projects to access finance. Over 200 projects
have benefitted from the CFA globally, with over US$450 million in investment unlocked so far.
The highly anticipated launch event was held on 6 February 2026 at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad,
bringing together senior government officials, development partners, and private sector stakeholders.
The Call for Proposals was formally announced, inviting eligible project developers to apply for
technical and capacity-building support under CFA Pakistan
Sam Waldock Development Director at the British High Commission in Islamabad, shared his views said, We’ve got so many young minds working on these challenges as well, so that the UK Pakistan have got a long, long running relationship working together climate change, I thought we have events like this quite regularly, and I think it just showed us how much we have going on. It’s a key pillar of our partnership.
Sam Waldock, highlighted the important role of the private sector in bridging the gap between Pakistan’s climate needs and available investment opportunities.
The current Call for Proposals is open until 28th February 2026. Businesses seeking support should be
at least at the pre-feasibility stage and require a minimum investment of USD 4 million or above. Up to
15 businesses will be selected with priority sectors being Energy, Transport, Industry, Waste
Management, and Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU).
Successful businesses will receive up to five months of group and one-to-one support from financial,
technical and gender equality, disability and inclusion experts to help increase their chances of securing
investment, and will pitch their projects at an investor event in October 2026.
“CFA Pakistan is a practical, deal-oriented programme designed to help climate projects improve their
bankability and appeal to financiers,” said Arsalan Ali Faheem, Country Director at DAI, while
opening the event.
Since its inception in 2022, CFA Pakistan has supported 22 projects to advance toward commercial dealmaking. Alumni projects and businesses include Davaam Life, Shams Power, Daewoo Express, Concept
Loop, National Foods and others which sought support for their low carbon projects in waste
management, renewable energy, transportation, AFOLU and others. So far alumni projects have seen a
collective investment mobilization value of approximately $40 million.
