At COP30 on 20 November 2025, Pakistan presented the results of its national tree-planting drive, highlighting the role of the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme in restoring degraded land and reviving ecosystems. The Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination used a dedicated side event to show how community participation and large-scale planting have transformed barren areas into functioning forests.
Dr Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, delivered a video message underscoring that global climate debates focus on greenhouse gas emissions measured in carbon dioxide equivalents, and that the priority remains reducing emissions while expanding natural carbon sinks. He stressed the need for nature-based solutions and observed that ‘carbon sequestration requires factories that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. That factory is a tree.’ This framing placed the Green Pakistan initiative at the heart of Pakistan’s mitigation strategy.
The Minister highlighted that the programme has planted billions of trees across the country, turning previously barren tracts into thriving landscapes and helping communities become more climate-aware and active in protecting local forests. He emphasized that forests deliver both mitigation and adaptation benefits, strengthening resilience as climate impacts intensify in Pakistan.
A short documentary prepared by the Ministry was screened at the COP30 side event to illustrate field success stories, community-led conservation, and ecological recovery achieved under Green Pakistan. The screening was followed by a panel discussion attended by climate experts, international partners and members of global civil society working on forest restoration and resilience.
Dr Musadik Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting forests domestically and supporting global climate goals, stating that the country stands with its forests and those around the world to reduce carbon burdens and safeguard communities. The presentation at COP30 aimed to share lessons on scaling up forest restoration and on mobilizing local stewardship as a core part of national climate action.
