Celina Ali
Islamabad: Eleven Pakistani businesses have been selected for the 2026 cohort of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Pakistan, a United Kingdom-funded initiative designed to help climate-focused enterprises attract investment, strengthen their commercial readiness and scale innovative solutions that support Pakistan’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.
The announcement, made by the British High Commission this week, highlights growing international support for climate innovation in Pakistan at a time when the country faces increasing environmental challenges while seeking sustainable pathways for economic growth.
The Climate Finance Accelerator is a global programme supported by the UK Government that connects promising climate-related projects with investors and provides technical assistance to improve their investment readiness. Since its inception, the programme has supported more than 230 climate projects worldwide and helped unlock over $500 million in investment. In Pakistan alone, it has facilitated investment of up to $40 million for climate-focused ventures.
The businesses selected for the 2026 cohort were chosen based on their potential to generate meaningful climate impact while contributing to Pakistan’s low-carbon transition across a range of critical sectors. These include renewable energy, sustainable transport, waste management and circular economy solutions, climate-smart agriculture, green buildings and construction, and financial inclusion.
The programme forms part of the United Kingdom’s broader engagement with Pakistan in areas related to climate resilience, green economic growth and private-sector-led sustainable development.
Commenting on the initiative, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott emphasized both the urgency of addressing climate challenges and the opportunities available for innovation-led growth in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, but it also has the talent and ideas to lead climate innovation,” she said.
“Through the Climate Finance Accelerator, the UK is helping promising Pakistani businesses turn ambition into investment—backing jobs, growth and a cleaner, more resilient future.”
Under the programme, each selected business will receive up to five months of intensive support from specialists in finance, technical development, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). The tailored assistance aims to strengthen the companies’ investment propositions, improve their business models and increase their chances of securing commercial financing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to present their projects before climate investors at a dedicated investment event scheduled for October 2026. The event is expected to provide valuable networking opportunities, facilitate direct engagement with potential financiers and offer expert feedback to help businesses refine their growth strategies.
Since its launch in Pakistan in 2022, the Climate Finance Accelerator has supported 22 projects in advancing toward commercial deal-making and investment mobilisation. Several participating companies have already secured funding and expanded their operations, demonstrating the programme’s role in accelerating climate-related entrepreneurship and innovation.
Among the ventures that have benefited from previous cohorts are Davaam Life, Shams Power, Concept Loop and National Foods, all of which have leveraged the programme’s support to attract investment and strengthen their climate-focused initiatives.
The businesses selected for the 2026 cohort include Go Seed IT Pvt Ltd, Biowaste Energy Ventures Pvt Ltd, Bioenergy Solution Pvt Ltd, A S Enterprises, Trash It, Sahara Recycling Pvt Ltd, Waste Busters Pvt Ltd/EnterTech Labs Pvt Ltd, EcoEdge AI, Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service Limited, Buscaro Technologies Holding PTE Limited, and Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance.
The diversity of the selected enterprises reflects the broad scope of climate innovation emerging across Pakistan. The cohort includes businesses working on renewable energy solutions, waste recycling and circular economy models, sustainable mobility, technology-driven environmental management and inclusive financing mechanisms aimed at supporting vulnerable communities.
Speaking about the new cohort, Vardah Malik, Team Lead at Climate Finance Accelerator Pakistan, said the selected businesses demonstrate the growing depth and diversity of climate entrepreneurship in the country.
“We are delighted to welcome the first cohort of the Climate Finance Accelerator Pakistan,” she said.
“The selected businesses showcase the depth of climate innovation emerging across the country and represent a strong mix of startups and growth-stage enterprises operating in sectors critical to Pakistan’s sustainable development and climate transition.”
She noted that the programme would provide comprehensive technical assistance covering finance, climate and environmental management, and social inclusion to help participating companies strengthen their investment readiness and expand their impact.
“Through tailored technical assistance on finance, climate and environmental management, and GEDSI, we will support these companies in strengthening their investment readiness and scaling their impact,” she said.
Vardah Malik also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the UK Government, noting that the initiative is helping unlock opportunities for innovative businesses capable of contributing to both economic growth and climate action.
The selection of the new cohort comes as Pakistan continues to confront the consequences of climate change, including extreme weather events, water stress and environmental degradation. Policymakers and development partners increasingly view private-sector innovation as a key component of the country’s climate response strategy.
By connecting climate-focused enterprises with investors and providing specialised technical support, the Climate Finance Accelerator aims to bridge the financing gap that often prevents promising green businesses from scaling their operations. Stakeholders believe that strengthening such enterprises can contribute not only to emissions reduction and environmental sustainability but also to job creation, economic diversification and long-term resilience.
The launch of the 2026 cohort therefore represents another important step in fostering a climate-smart business ecosystem in Pakistan and supporting the country’s broader transition towards sustainable and inclusive economic development.
