Karachi Commits to Migration-Informed Climate Action and Global Advocacy

Pakistan

May 7

Written By Sophie van Haasen

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation

Mayor

Murtaza Wahab

Start of Project

03/27/2025

End of Project

N/A

Learn more

Overview

In the recent census, the population of climate-induced migrants and refugees has surpassed 1.2 million, and it is going to increase to 2.5 million by 2050. In response, Karachi released its first-ever climate action plan in 2025. Informed by city-specific migration data from the C40-MMC Task Force, this comprehensive document clearly outlines the relationship between the climate crisis and increasing urbanization, and subsequently commits to climate actions aimed at driving social and economic improvements for vulnerable communities, including migrants and refugees, through climate adaptation. This includes upgrading actions to strengthen urban resilience to extreme heat risks in vulnerable communities and colonies, as detailed in KMC’s Urban Heat Risk Strategy. To reinforce these commitments, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will act as a climate-migration champion and engage in advocacy efforts at the national, regional, and global level to drive multi-level action on this climate justice issue, via Mayor Wahab’s membership of the C40- Mayors Migration Council Global Mayors Task Force on Climate and Migration.

Expected Impact

Climate migrants are living in adverse conditions in Kutchi Abadis (informal slums) with the least availability of urban facilities like clean drinking water and safe infrastructure. Via membership in the C40 and MMC Task Force, the KMC aims to provide better conditions in such areas. Through the Karachi Climate Action Plan (KCAP), the KMC strives to provide a safe and hazard-free environment to climate migrants and refugees through sustainable and resilient planning of the Kutchi Abadis.