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The South Asian region is home to around 1.92 billion people and has a diverse range of topography, and ethnic and cultural norms. Despite the increasing GDP, by 5.8% (2023); the region faces escalating climate challenges exacerbated due to existing levels of extreme poverty and inequity. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka all rank among the top 30 at-risk countries globally. Climate-related indicators further paint a wary picture. By 2050, climate change could reduce the region’s GDP by 2%.
The World Bank’s climate financing for South Asia has increased significantly, from $1.4 billion in 2017 to $3.7 billion in 2021, with a focus on both adaptation ($1.9B) and mitigation ($1.8B) efforts.
Projections for the 2050s indicate that children in the region will face four times more extreme heatwaves, double the exposure to river floods, and 1.2 times the exposure to wildfires compared to the 2000s. Women remain disproportionately affected by climate impacts, especially in agriculture, livelihoods, food security, and health. Additionally, up to 63 million people in the region may be forced to migrate due to extreme weather events by 2050. At present, with frequent disasters impacting millions of individuals, a holistic approach involving governments, civil society, and regional cooperation is imperative.
The current programme is being led by WWF-Pakistan, the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, and its three implementing partners, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Research, The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Janatakshan Lte., and Chintan Environmental Research, aims to empower 25 civil society leaders from four South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, by providing them with skills and knowledge for effective advocacy and collaboration on climate change issues.
Core Project Objectives:
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Establish a Cohort of Influential Civil Society Leaders in South Asia.
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Strengthen South Asian civil society partnerships through regular virtual and in-person engagements and learning opportunities.
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Amplify civil society climate policy recommendations to local, regional, and international audiences through participation at the COP.
The programme includes capacity building workshops led by sectoral experts, country and regional level working groups, national and regional conferences, engagement during Conference of Parties (COP-30) proceedings, post-event peer exchanges and development of critical knowledge products.
A regional network of climate leaders will sustain collaboration and action after completion of the cohort ‘25. The programme envisions building a cadre of climate leaders who amplify South Asian voices on critical climate-related issues in the region and beyond.