Musadik Malik launches Climate Finance Accelerator to promote youth-led startups

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Malik, addressed the launching ceremony of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) in Islamabad on Thursday, a UK government-funded initiative designed to accelerate climate finance for projects aligned with Pakistan’s national climate priorities.

Accentuating the crucial role of youth in driving both climate action and economic growth, Dr Malik said, “We are a developing economy, and there is an urgent need to empower our youth. If we provide access and opportunities to young people, they can bring about a revolution for this country and for our economy.”

He cited international examples to underline his point, noting that just a decade ago, Beijing and Shanghai were among the world’s most polluted cities, yet today China exports nearly 70 per cent of the world’s solar technology. “What did the Chinese youth have that Pakistani youth lack? It was not talent or ability, it was opportunity,” he added. He also highlighted Finland’s environmental initiatives, reiterating that lessons from Nordic countries could guide Pakistan’s own sustainability efforts.

Dr Malik described programmes like the CFA and the Ministry’s Green Fields Programme as vital platforms for young entrepreneurs and innovators. Under Green Fields, he said, young innovators can pitch climate-focused ideas to national and international investors, citing a previous initiative that took two Pakistani companies to Seville, Spain for international pitching.

The minister also appreciated development partners and concluded by expressing his vision for the Ministry as a hub for youth innovation, “I want to turn this Ministry into an accelerator for youth, an incubation centre where ideas are nurtured, and scaled.”

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