Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Pakistan

Executive Summary

This research report offers a deep-dive analysis of the policies, curricula, and field implementations of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across Pakistan. Commissioned by ClimateWatch under the Northern Citizen Community Board (NCCB), the study reviews initiatives led by state and civil society actors, identifies major data gaps, and provides concrete recommendations to embed climate resilience in the national education ecosystem.

Key Findings

1. Policy Integration — While climate change is mentioned in provincial education guidelines, systematic integration into text-books remains limited and lacks localized risk context (e.g., glaciated retreat and high-altitude hazards).
2. Funding Mismatch — Over 85% of ESD-related activities are supported by short-term international donor grants, creating significant post-project sustainability challenges.
3. Data Gaps — There is no centralized database tracking ESD indicators or youth climate literacy levels, hindering evidence-based policy formulation.
4. Youth Engagement — Youth-led grassroots organizations are executing highly effective local adaptation trainings but lack institutional integration with provincial education departments.

Strategic Recommendations

• Establish a National ESD Advocacy Framework in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
• Create localized, regional curriculum modules that focus on GLOFs, landslide mitigation, and traditional mountain irrigation practices.
• Transition from project-based financing to long-term public-private partnerships.