Pakistan and Germany have committed to advancing the second phase of the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project (BTASP), a key initiative aimed at enhancing climate change mitigation and promoting sustainable forest management.
The Federal Republic of Germany has pledged €20 million in funding for the next phase of the project, bringing the total support from the German government to €33.5 million.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Ms. Esther Gravenkotter, Director of the German Development Bank KfW, on behalf of their respective governments. The signing follows the approval of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Cheema.
The BTASP is part of the broader Pak-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP), launched at the COP26 conference to address climate risks and promote green energy solutions in Pakistan. The project focuses on the protection and sustainable management of forests, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where the first phase is already underway with an investment of €13.5 million.
The second phase of the BTASP will focus on the plantation of 10,000 hectares of new forests and will provide capacity-building initiatives for forest departments, including the development of a Management Information System (MIS). The project also aims to engage local communities in forest preservation and promote nature-based livelihoods to alleviate poverty, with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment and inclusion in decision-making processes.
Dr. Kazim Niaz, in a statement, highlighted the importance of the project in Pakistan’s climate change mitigation efforts, saying that the second phase would contribute significantly to the country’s long-term environmental sustainability goals. “This project will not only help combat climate change but also support biodiversity conservation and the achievement of Pakistan’s sustainable development goals,” Dr. Niaz said.
The project is expected to play a critical role in both biodiversity conservation and the broader objective of ensuring sustainable forest management in Pakistan. The support from KfW is part of its ongoing efforts to assist Pakistan in achieving climate resilience through projects focused on renewable energy and environmental protection.
Germany’s contribution to Pakistan’s environmental agenda underscores the growing collaboration between the two countries, further strengthening the German-Pakistani Climate and Energy Initiative.
The BTASP is expected to continue its positive impact on Pakistan’s forestry sector, while promoting sustainable practices and climate resilience for future generations.