UK-backed programme helps 10 Pakistani climate businesses seek $51 million in investment

KARACHI, October 28: Ten Pakistani businesses developing climate-friendly solutions are seeking a combined $51 million in investment over the next 12 months, following specialised technical and financial support from the UK Government.

The businesses are working across five sectors: agriculture and land use, waste management and the circular economy, clean energy, building and construction, and electric mobility. Their investment proposals were presented to investors, banks and development finance institutions at a two-day Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Pakistan Investor Roadshow held in Karachi on October 27 and 28.

Supported by UK-funded technical, financial, gender equality and social inclusion expertise, the businesses have strengthened their proposals to attract private investment and scale up practical climate solutions. Collectively, the 10 businesses have a three-year investment pipeline worth $120 million.

The roadshow also brought together government officials, investors and industry representatives to discuss ways to mobilise private finance for climate projects by addressing policy, regulatory and market barriers.

The CFA Pakistan programme, implemented by DAI on behalf of the UK Government, supports businesses in developing commercially viable, low-carbon projects and improving their access to finance.

Alison Blackburne, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, said the UK’s climate partnership with Pakistan was increasingly focused on mobilising climate finance, strengthening adaptation and resilience, and supporting the policy and institutional systems needed to implement climate initiatives.

“The UK-Pakistan Green Compact, which we signed with the Government of Pakistan last December, provides the wider partnership framework, bringing together climate and clean-energy, finance, policy dialogue, private investment, green skills and international cooperation,” she said.

Welcoming participants on behalf of the Sindh government, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, provincial minister for local government and housing and town planning, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the private sector and development partners to mobilise funding for climate action.

“Climate change is often discussed primarily as an environmental challenge. But for Pakistan, it is much more than that. It is an economic challenge. It is a development challenge. It is a challenge for our infrastructure, our agriculture, our cities, our energy systems, and, ultimately, for the livelihoods of our people,” he said.

He said the government’s role increasingly involved creating conditions in which private capital could be invested with confidence.

Vardah Malik, team lead at CFA Pakistan, who led the programme’s capacity-building process for the participating businesses, said the roadshow aimed to connect investment-ready Pakistani climate enterprises with potential financiers and turn initial discussions into lasting partnerships.

“Today is about connecting investor-ready Pakistani climate businesses with the investors who can fund them, and about turning those conversations into lasting partnerships,” she said.

Businesses target investment across five sectors

The 2026 cohort comprises 10 businesses offering solutions across a range of climate-related challenges.

In agriculture, forestry and other land use, A.S. Enterprises is converting agricultural stubble into bio-coal, while TrashIt produces microbe-enriched compost from organic waste and crop residues.

In waste management and the circular economy, Sahara Recycling is developing integrated recycling parks for municipal solid waste, while Waste Busters JV EnterTech uses Black Soldier Fly technology for organic waste management.

The clean energy and energy transition category includes Biowaste Energy Ventures Ltd, which is developing a biomethane and waste-to-energy platform; GoSeedIT, which offers pay-as-you-go solar solutions for underserved mid-market customers; and BioEnergy Solution Pvt. Ltd, which produces biomass fuel pellets from agricultural and organic waste.

In the building and construction sector, EcoEdge AI uses sensors and artificial intelligence to optimise energy consumption in buildings.

Meanwhile, BusCaro is developing an urban mobility platform connecting commuters with transport suppliers, while Daewoo Express is pursuing electric bus fleets and charging infrastructure under the e-mobility category.

Previous programme mobilised $40 million

Since 2022, the UK-funded CFA Pakistan programme has supported 22 projects and helped mobilise $40 million in investment for climate initiatives in the country.

The programme provides technical assistance to help businesses strengthen their commercial and financial proposals, improve investment readiness and connect with potential sources of funding.

If the latest cohort secures the targeted investment, the projects could contribute to reducing pollution, creating jobs, improving waste management and expanding access to cleaner energy and transport.

The CFA is funded through the UK Government’s International Climate Finance and operates under the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The global programme operates in 10 countries, including Pakistan, to develop a pipeline of commercially viable, low-carbon projects and help attract finance for climate action.