Climate Change & Environmental Justice | Sindh Community Foundation

SCF conducted research on deforestation, impact of rising temperature on women’s health, women capacities in DRR, impact of climate crisis and GBV nexus. Through the Pakistan Leadership Initiative for Youth, 1,000+ young people have been engaged in environmental awareness and actions. Additionally, 160 women Climate Literacy Facilitators are leading community awareness activities. SCF is also implementing “Advancing Labour Rights of Women Cotton Workers in Rising Temperature and Climate Change Impacts in Sindh – Phase II,” promoting occupational safety, women leadership, green livelihoods, and climate-resilient WASH and flood protection systems.

SCF Participation at COP30 – Brazil

During the reporting period, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) strengthened its global advocacy engagement through participation in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) held in Brazil. Executive Director Javed Hussain and Manager Economic Empowerment Hira Arain represented SCF at the global climate summit, contributing to international dialogues on climate justice, inclusive development, and gender-responsive adaptation.

Throughout COP30, SCF actively engaged in high-level sessions and side events focusing on decent work and just transition, economic and social resilience, youth leadership, environmental sustainability, gender and climate justice, and climate-resilient livelihoods. These engagements provided an important platform to share grassroots experiences from Sindh and to connect local climate realities with global policy discourse.

At the Pakistan Pavilion, SCF showcased its flagship initiatives, including climate justice for women cotton workers, climate-safe workplaces, women-led trade unions, community-based disaster risk reduction, and the Women’s Economic Empowerment Fund (WEEF). SCF also shared its annual achievements and community-driven adaptation models with policymakers, donors, and development partners.

SCF acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Government of Pakistan, for facilitating participation through the allocation of an official overflow badge. During the Pavilion sessions, SCF representatives interacted with Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhry, Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, and engaged with representatives from the Government of Punjab, including acknowledgment of initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

In addition, SCF held strategic discussions with Aisha Jamshaid, Country Representative; Matthew (Global Director, WHH); and Azmat Shahi, Coordinator of the START Network Pakistan, exploring collaboration opportunities in climate resilience, humanitarian preparedness, and women-centered adaptation initiatives.

SCF’s presence at COP30 reinforced its commitment to advocating for gender-responsive climate financing, promoting just transition for informal women workers, and expanding partnerships that strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods. Participation in COP30 amplified the voices of women agricultural workers and climate-vulnerable communities of Sindh at the global stage.

Climate Literacy for Women Agriculture Workers and Local Level Adaptation Measures

SCF has launched a climate literacy campaign targeting rural women agriculture workers who are at the forefront of climate change impacts. In this regard, SCF has reached 500 women cotton workers and increased their level of knowledge on climate change and adaptive measures. SCF has also sensitized the growers for decent work measures, providing climate safety kits and eco-friendly sheds in fields.

SCF has designed and introduced localized climate safety kits and eco-friendly sheds for the first time for these workers as climate change adaptation measures. These workers are badly impacted by climate change and need more resilience support.

Climate-Safe Workplaces for Women Cotton Workers in Matiari

Under the project “Advancing Labour Rights of Women Cotton Workers in Rising Temperature and Climate Change Impacts in Sindh – Phase 2,” supported by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) through the Asia Gender Equality Fund, the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) implemented targeted climate protection interventions during the 2025 cotton-picking season (July–October) in District Matiari.

The initiative focused on two key interventions: distribution of Climate Safety Kits and installation of eco-friendly shades, designed to protect women cotton workers from extreme heat, dehydration, and occupational hazards.

Climate Safety Kits for Women Workers

SCF distributed 1,000 Climate Safety Kits to women cotton workers organized through trade unions in 15 villages of Matiari. Each kit included a reusable water bottle, protective clothing, handmade sun hat, durable shoes, gloves, socks, face mask, oral rehydration salts (ORS), dates, and basic first-aid supplies. These practical measures helped reduce heat-related risks and improve workplace safety during the peak cotton-picking season.

Eco-Friendly Shades for Climate Protection

To further strengthen climate resilience, 50 eco-friendly shade structures were installed across 30 villages, providing safe resting spaces for over 2,500 women agricultural workers. These shaded areas enable workers to rest, rehydrate, and avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak heat hours.

Main Achievements and Impact

The climate protection initiative significantly improved occupational safety and working conditions for women cotton workers in District Matiari. Through the distribution of safety kits and the installation of shade structures, women workers gained better protection against extreme heat and field-related hazards during long working hours.

Beyond the immediate health benefits, the intervention also helped raise awareness among local growers, labor contractors, and community stakeholders about the importance of promoting decent, climate-safe working conditions for women agricultural workers. These efforts have strengthened community understanding of occupational safety while advancing dignity, protection, and climate resilience for women working in Sindh’s cotton sector.

50% reduction in heatstroke cases was reported among women workers using the Climate Safety Kits.

80% fewer snake-bite incidents due to the use of protective shoes and gloves provided in the kits.

Women workers experienced reduced breathing difficulties, fatigue, and dehydration while working during peak summer temperatures.

Green housing construction - bamboo structures

Green housing construction - climate-resilient homes

Green Housing Construction Skills for Climate Resilience

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has successfully trained a cohort of 30 women artisans from four villages in climate-responsive green housing construction techniques. This initiative was designed to revive and promote traditional, low-cost, and climate-adaptive housing structures that help rural communities cope with rising temperatures and extreme heat.

Through a five-day intensive practical training, women artisans were oriented in bamboo-based housing structures and cool housing design practices that improve ventilation and reduce indoor heat. The training emphasized the use of locally available materials and culturally rooted construction techniques that are both affordable and environmentally sustainable.

In addition to green housing construction, participants were trained in building low-cost, fuel-efficient, smokeless stoves. These stoves significantly reduce indoor air pollution, improve women’s health, and lower firewood consumption — contributing to both environmental protection and household well-being.

The training has enabled women artisans to develop marketable green construction skills, allowing them to offer their expertise within rural communities. As a result, participants are now generating income by constructing bamboo shelters, climate-adaptive housing extensions, and improved cooking stoves for local households.

This intervention not only strengthens climate resilience at the community level but also promotes women’s economic empowerment by positioning them as skilled service providers in sustainable housing solutions.

When women learn green construction skills, they don’t just build houses — they build climate resilience.

Climate-smart livestock management training

Climate-resilient livestock sector in Sindh

Building Resilience in Sindh’s Livestock Sector: SCF’s Climate-Smart Livestock Management Training for Women Farmers

The livestock sector in Sindh is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme weather events have significantly intensified food insecurity and economic instability in rural communities. The devastating floods of 2022 alone resulted in the loss of over 1.2 million livestock, causing economic damage exceeding $500 million. More recently, the 2024 heatwave led to widespread disease outbreaks among animals, slashing milk production by 30% in the most affected regions.

Scientific studies indicate that heat stress reduces feed intake by 12–15% and increases mortality risk by up to 20%, with smallholder farmers—particularly women—bearing the brunt of these effects. Additionally, prolonged droughts and poor feed storage practices contribute to aflatoxin contamination, posing severe health risks to livestock. Given that livestock contributes 11.5% to Pakistan’s GDP, climate adaptation in this sector is vital to sustain rural livelihoods and ensure national food security.

Recognizing this urgent need, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) conducted a Climate-Smart Livestock Management Training, with a special focus on empowering women in rural areas. A total of 121 women farmers were trained in practical, adaptive strategies to manage livestock more sustainably in the face of climate change.

The training covered a wide range of critical topics, including: sustainable livestock practices; understanding climate change impacts on animal health and productivity; improved feeding and fodder management; water conservation techniques for livestock care; animal disease prevention and basic veterinary care; climate-resilient shelter design for animals; record-keeping and financial tracking; and gender roles and women’s empowerment in climate-resilient livestock management.

In addition to training, SCF extended further support to rural communities by facilitating the vaccination of over 2,000 animals across Matiari, Sanghar, and Thatta districts. This initiative aimed to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and enhance the health and productivity of livestock in climate-stressed areas.

Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) for Environmental and Climate Change Action

The Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI), implemented by Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) with support of British Council Pakistan, is designed to empower youth in climate-vulnerable regions of Sindh as leaders in environmental protection and climate change adaptation. The project engages young women and men aged 18–24 from rural and semi-urban communities across four districts: Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, and Matiari.

To date, PYLI has successfully trained 810 youth through 12 intensive leadership workshops, complemented by community-based environmental actions. These sessions built capacity in:

Climate change adaptation
Environmental stewardship
Natural resource management
Youth leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy

Following the trainings, participants initiated local environmental initiatives—including awareness campaigns, school-based sessions, tree plantations, and clean-up drives to promote climate consciousness at the community level.

A key strength of the initiative lies in its ability to connect trained youth with local stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, educators, and NGOs, encouraging youth-led dialogue and collaboration on pressing environmental issues.

Notably, SCF’s long-standing experience in youth empowerment and climate work has led to national recognition: Two young environmental leaders trained under this project were honored with Youth Recognition Awards by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts in climate leadership and community engagement.

The PYLI project is not only equipping youth with the skills and confidence to act but is also catalyzing grassroots climate action, promoting environmental justice, and helping to cultivate a climate-resilient and environmentally conscious generation in Sindh. The initiative reflects SCF’s continued commitment to linking youth empowerment with sustainable development and climate action at both the local and national levels.

Youth Capacity Building for Urban Environmental Sustainability through Waste Management

SCF is implementing a program on urban environmental sustainability for mental health through waste management approaches in the high waste-generating areas of Hyderabad and Karachi. SCF has trained a pool of 60 young community members from different locations of Hyderabad city and Karachi and engaged them in awareness campaign drives for effective waste management behavioral change.

SCF formed six groups from among the participants in the workshop who vowed to take social environmental action, campaign for awareness among citizens, and install recycling waste bins at six locations across Hyderabad including Naseem Nagar, Chandio Goth, Marvi Town, Sheedi Goth, Latifabad Unit-7, and Phulelli.

School Environment Clubs

To strengthen climate education and environmental stewardship, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) established 29 School Environment Clubs—23 in Thatta and 6 in Sanghar—engaging over 600 students. These clubs serve as active platforms for youth leadership, environmental learning, and community engagement. Through the clubs, students organized tree plantation campaigns, school greening activities, and tree care initiatives, helping improve school environments and promote the importance of green spaces. SCF also facilitated waste segregation and recycling initiatives in several schools, educating students on responsible waste management and reducing plastic pollution. These practical activities encourage students to adopt sustainable behaviors and spread environmental awareness within their families, schools, and local communities. 🌱

Renewable Energy Solutions

Rural communities in Sindh face limited access to reliable electricity, affecting livelihoods, education, and basic services. Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) promotes renewable energy solutions by providing solar energy systems to vulnerable households, schools, and community facilities. These initiatives improve lighting, enable children to study after dark, and support clean, sustainable energy access.

SCF also promotes solar-powered water management systems to improve agricultural productivity in rural Sindh. Solar pumps help farmers access water for irrigation without relying on costly diesel fuel. This approach reduces production costs, supports climate-resilient agriculture, improves crop yields, and strengthens livelihoods for farming communities facing water and energy challenges.

Back to Programs