KARACHI, Oct 5: Experts and civil society representatives have raised concerns over the slow implementation of the Karachi Climate Action Plan (KCAP), calling for stronger coordination among government institutions, civic bodies, researchers, civil society and the media.
The concerns were raised at a media dialogue on the Karachi Climate Action Plan and progress on its implementation, jointly organised by The Knowledge Forum (TKF), Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Local Government Reporters Association, Karachi, at a local hotel.
The discussion comes as Karachi faces growing climate risks, including extreme heat, urban flooding, drought, coastal hazards, air pollution and the rapid loss of green spaces.
Karachi Faces Growing Climate Risks
M. Mashood Tariq of the Urban Research and Design Cell at the Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology, said Karachi was facing increasing climate risks and required urgent and coordinated action.
He explained that the KCAP provides a pathway for Karachi to become emissions-neutral by 2050 while establishing an ambitious interim target for 2030.
The plan also aims to strengthen Karachi’s ability to adapt to current and future climate hazards while ensuring that the social, environmental and economic benefits of climate action are distributed more equitably among citizens.
Tariq noted that the plan requires periodic review and updating of its targets through a proposed Directorate of Environment and Climate Change as part of the KCAP governance structure.
Karachi Emissions Could Triple By 2050
According to Tariq, Karachi’s greenhouse gas emissions could almost double by 2040 and triple by 2050 if urgent mitigation measures are not introduced.
As a member of the C40 network of major cities, Karachi is expected to work towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
The KCAP therefore seeks to address both the causes of rising emissions and the city’s exposure to climate-related hazards.
Built-Up Area Expands While Natural Spaces Decline
Rapid urban expansion has emerged as a major factor behind Karachi’s growing climate vulnerability.
Tariq said Karachi’s built-up area increased from 270 square kilometres in 2013 to 538 square kilometres in 2023.
Over the same period, grass and shrubland declined by 45 percent, agricultural land fell by 59 percent and mangrove areas decreased by 23 percent.
The loss of natural areas has increased the city’s exposure to heat, flooding and other climate-related risks.
KCAP Calls For Green Spaces And Better Drainage
The Karachi Climate Action Plan proposes a range of adaptation measures to strengthen the city’s resilience.
These include conserving and expanding mangrove forests, improving drainage infrastructure, creating floodwater storage capacity and restoring natural riverbeds.
The plan also includes mitigation measures such as increasing urban green spaces, improving energy efficiency in Karachi’s industrial sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste and sewage.
A Directorate of Environment and Climate Change and a Climate Change Board have also been proposed to support implementation.
Waste Management Critical To Flood Protection
Experts at the dialogue also highlighted the connection between waste management and urban flooding.
Poor sewage and solid waste management can contribute to the accumulation of waste and blockage of drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Improving these systems is therefore considered an important part of Karachi’s broader climate adaptation strategy.
Solar Power Changes Karachi’s Energy Landscape
The second presentation at the dialogue focused on Karachi’s changing energy landscape and the challenges faced by electricity consumers.
Clean Energy Expert Basil Andrews of The Knowledge Forum said rooftop solar adoption had increased substantially across Pakistan amid the energy crisis, rising electricity tariffs and persistent load-shedding.
He said solar panels with an estimated total capacity of around 50,000 megawatts had arrived in Pakistan, with most of them sourced from China.
According to Andrews, approximately 2,300MW of solar capacity had been installed in Karachi alone, representing a significant shift in the city’s electricity landscape.
Of this total, around 606MW had been incorporated into the K-Electric system through net metering.
K-Electric Grid Imports Rise As Own Generation Falls
Andrews said K-Electric had become increasingly dependent on electricity supplied through the national grid because of its relatively lower cost.
Between fiscal year 2020 and 2025, K-Electric’s electricity imports from the national grid increased from 5,764 gigawatt-hours to 10,234GWh.
Over the same period, the utility’s own generation declined from 10,185GWh to 6,433GWh.
The changing generation mix highlights the broader transformation taking place in Karachi’s power sector as consumers and utilities respond to changing electricity costs and energy demand.
Renewable Energy Opportunities Expand
Andrews also pointed to the gradual emergence of wind energy technologies for both small- and large-scale applications in Pakistan.
He said wind power could provide additional opportunities for the country to move towards cleaner and more indigenous sources of energy.
However, he cautioned that the benefits of Karachi’s energy transition were not yet reaching smaller consumers and vulnerable sections of society equally.
Affordable And Reliable Electricity Needed
Referring to a National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) order issued in August 2026, Andrews said commercial losses, electricity theft and non-payment could not be used as a blanket justification for load-shedding affecting consumers who regularly paid their electricity bills.
He also stressed that affordable electricity was important for protecting citizens against the increasing episodes of extreme weather affecting Karachi.
Andrews called for targeted action against electricity theft, improvements to distribution networks and greater adoption of community- and apartment-based solar solutions.
He also highlighted the potential role of energy storage and greater consumer choice in supporting Karachi’s energy transition.
“Karachi must move beyond simply managing electricity scarcity towards providing affordable, reliable and inclusive electricity to its consumers,” he said.
Experts Call For Stronger Climate Coordination
During an interactive session, journalists questioned the presenters on KCAP implementation, climate risks, urban planning, energy transition and the role of civic institutions.
Participants emphasised the need for closer cooperation between civil society and the media to highlight Karachi’s environmental challenges and keep citizens informed about progress on the climate action plan.
They called for stronger coordination among civil society organisations, civic bodies, researchers and journalists covering local government institutions.
Media Urged To Focus More On Climate Issues
TKF Director Zeenia Shaukat said Karachi was dealing with multiple interconnected challenges and that rising temperatures were partly linked to the rapid expansion of concrete structures and the loss of natural spaces.
She urged journalists to give greater attention to climate change and its impact on Karachi and to report regularly on environmental issues affecting residents.
Karachi Union of Journalists President Tahir Hasan Khan also appreciated the role of the Local Government Reporters Association, Karachi, in highlighting civic and municipal issues.
He said journalists covering local government institutions had an important role in keeping the public informed about developments affecting the city.
KCAP Implementation Requires Sustained Accountability
The speakers agreed that effective implementation of the Karachi Climate Action Plan will require stronger coordination between government institutions, civil society, researchers, media organisations and citizens.
They stressed that climate action cannot remain limited to policy documents and requires sustained monitoring, public participation and accountability during implementation.
With Karachi facing rising temperatures, urban flooding, declining green spaces, coastal risks and growing pressure on its electricity system, participants said coordinated action will be essential if the city is to meet its climate mitigation and adaptation targets.