ADB approves $250m ‘Glaciers to Farms’ program to combat climate change in Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million regional initiative under its Green Climate Fund (GCF) to address glacier melting and promote climate resilience across six countries in Central and South Asia.

The new program, titled “Glaciers to Farms,” aims to help communities adapt to the impacts of global warming by protecting vital water sources, improving education on climate resilience, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The countries participating in the initiative are Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.

According to ADB, the project will include a $30 million education component designed to raise awareness and train local populations on methods to prevent further glacier melting and manage climate-related risks. A separate $30 million high-quality primary education project will be launched to strengthen environmental education and community-based adaptation practices in vulnerable regions.

In addition to the regional program, the ADB announced a $460 million loan for India to support the construction of a large-scale agricultural solar power system. The initiative aims to boost clean energy use in farming and improve the livelihoods of an estimated 13 million farmers across the country.

Furthermore, part of the new funding will be allocated to combat flood disasters in Pakistan’s Swat region, where extreme weather linked to climate change has caused repeated damage to infrastructure and farmland in recent years.

ADB officials said the combined projects reflect the bank’s broader goal of promoting sustainable development and climate resilience in Asia. “From melting glaciers to flooded farmlands, these initiatives are designed to tackle the root causes and consequences of climate change while empowering local communities,” an ADB spokesperson said in a statement.

The “Glaciers to Farms” program will begin implementation in early 2026, with participating governments expected to co-finance local components and provide technical assistance in partnership with ADB experts.