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Pakistan
Darwin Initiative
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The Darwin Initiative is the UK’s flagship international challenge fund for biodiversity conversation and poverty reduction, established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Darwin Initiative is a grant scheme working on projects that aim to slow, halt, or reverse the rates of biodiversity loss and degradation, with associated reductions in multidimensional poverty. To date, the Darwin Initiative has awarded more than £195m to over 1,280 projects in 159 countries to enhance the capability and capacity of national and local stakeholders to deliver biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction outcomes in low and middle-income countries. More information at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/the-darwin-initiative. This page contains information about Rounds 27 onwards. For information about Rounds 1 to 26, please see the Darwin Initiative website -https://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/
Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a widespread and lucrative criminal activity causing major global environmental and social harm. The IWT has been estimated to be worth up to £17 billion a year. Nearly 6,000 different species of fauna and flora are impacted, with almost every country in the world playing a role in the illicit trade. The UK government is committed to tackling illegal trade of wildlife products and is a long-standing leader in efforts to eradicate the IWT. Defra manages the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, which is a competitive grants scheme with the objective of tackling IWT and, in doing so, contributing to sustainable development in developing countries. Projects funded under the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund address one, or more, of the following themes: • Developing sustainable livelihoods to benefit people directly affected by IWT, • Strengthening law enforcement, • Ensuring effective legal frameworks, • Reducing demand for IWT products. By 2023 over £51 million has been committed to 157 projects since the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund was established in 2013. This page contains information about Rounds 7 onwards. For information about Rounds 1 to 6, please see the IWTCF website -https://iwt.challengefund.org.uk/
Global Programme on Sustainability
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The programme supports sustainable economic growth that is both long-lasting and resilient to climate-related stressors. It does this through the integration of natural capital into decision making by governments, the private sector and financial institutions. The inability to value natural capital can undermine long-term growth and critically, the livelihoods of the poorest people dependent on ecosystems for their livelihoods. This programme directly addresses this challenge by (i) investing in data and research on natural capital; (ii) assisting countries to integrate this analysis into government policy making; and (iii) integrating this data and analysis into financial sector decision making.
Super-efficient Sustainable Cooling Solution for All Applications (S2Cool)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Context In June 2023, Pakistan experienced extreme temperatures exceeding 52.2°C, a level at which human cells begin to cook, blood thickens, muscles constrict around the lungs, and the brain is deprived of oxygen. This severe heatwave resulted in the death of 120,000 people, the loss of 26 billion potential labour hours (equivalent to $16 billion in lost income), and up to 9% of the country's GDP. The extreme heat, coupled with frequent power outages, worsened the vulnerabilities of socially deprived communities and women, leading to increased hospitalizations and miscarriages, as reported by the UNDP and the National Commission for the Status of Women (NCSW). Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director in South Asia, called for urgent global action as these heatwaves severely impacted human rights in Pakistan. Co-creation & Co-designing In response to the crisis, the Pakistan Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Society organized the 28th International Exhibition and Conference in June 2023. A working group led by Dr. Shahzad, consisting of researchers, stakeholders, and end users, was established to identify the issue and develop potential solutions. The group held its third meeting in December 2023 at the ASHRAE UK Chapter conference at Loughborough, where UK researchers and solution providers were invited to join this international effort. Currently, the working group includes over 50 representatives from Pakistani and UK institutions and industries. Aims and Objectives The S2Cool project represents a pioneering collaboration between the UK and partners in Pakistan. The primary aim is to develop a novel, low-cost, and energy-efficient cooling solution and capacity building platform. The primary objectives of the S2Cool project are: Design and Development: Develop and test the 20kW Novel Indirect Evaporative Cooler (NIEC) and its integration with Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) systems. AI Framework Development: Develop and implement an AI framework for process optimization and system integration. GESI and EDI Evaluations: Conduct GESI and EDI assessments to ensure equitable benefits for all community members. Performance and Impact Assessment: Assess performance through life cycle costing, and evaluate social, economic, and sustainability impacts. Technology Scale-up and Commercialization: Establish a framework for technology scaling and commercialization. Capacity Building Platform and Knowledge Dissemination: Develop online platform, conduct training and community engagement sessions, and share knowledge and findings. Potential Applications and Benefits The proposed system is versatile, applicable in residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicular settings, including buses. Its benefits include improved comfort, health, productivity, energy efficiency, and equipment preservation. This project will primarily advance UNSDGs 7 and 13, while also supporting goals 3, 5, 9, and 11 by reducing energy use in air conditioning and lowering emissions to combat climate change and address energy inequity in Pakistan. Ayrton Challenge and Theme The S2Cool project addresses the Ayrton Challenge area of "super-efficient demand." The project aims to develop a cooling solution that is highly energy-efficient, making it suitable for a country with limited energy resources and high electricity costs. ODA Compliance The S2Cool project is compliant with Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines, targeting a critical development issue in Pakistan, a low-income country. The project aims to improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and contribute to economic development by providing an affordable and energy-efficient cooling solution. By addressing the impacts of extreme heatwaves and supporting sustainable development goals, the project aligns with ODA objectives of poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.
Habib Bank Ltd.
British International Investment plc
Habib Bank, now referred to as HBL, was the first commercial bank established in Pakistan in 1947. Over the years, HBL has maintained its position as the largest private sector bank with over 1,700 branches and 2,000 ATMs globally and a customer base of ten million plus.
Mira Power Limited
British International Investment plc
The Gulpur Hydropower plant is one of several World Bank-funded projects located in Pakistan and is part of the Pakistan Government’s least-cost energy generation plan. The plant is being developed by Mira Power, a subsidiary of Korean company KOSEP, and lies on the Poonch River about 170km from Islamabad.
Zephyr Wind Farm
British International Investment plc
Zephyr Power (PVT) Limited is a company incorporated in Pakistan which is constructing a 50 megawatt (MW) wind farm in Gharo, near Karachi.
Indus Wind Energy Limited
British International Investment plc
BII's investment is funding the creation of 150 MW of wind farms located in the Jhimpir area of the Sindh province of Pakistan. The project involves three separate schemes of 50 MW each, two developed by Liberty Mills and one by Indus Group.
Liberty Wind Power 1 (PVT) Limited
British International Investment plc
CDC's investment is funding the creation of 150 MW of wind farms located in the Jhimpir area of the Sindh province of Pakistan. The project involves three separate schemes of 50 MW each, two developed by Liberty Mills and one by Indus Group.
Liberty Wind Power 2 (PVT) Limited
British International Investment plc
CDC's investment is funding the creation of 150 MW of wind farms located in the Jhimpir area of the Sindh province of Pakistan. The project involves three separate schemes of 50 MW each, two developed by Liberty Mills and one by Indus Group.
Atlas Solar Limited
British International Investment plc
Zhenfa Pakistan New Energy Company (Private) Limited specialises in investing, developing and commissioning solar power projects in Pakistan.
Metro Wind Power Limited
British International Investment plc
In partnership with Gul Ahmed Metro Group we have formed the Metro-BII Renewables joint venture to develop and operate up to 500MW of renewable energy assets in Pakistan. Through the joint venture, British International Investment will acquire a significant minority stake in Metro Wind Power Limited, an under-construction 60MW windfarm project, developed by Gul Ahmed Metro Group.
Metro Wind Power Limited
British International Investment plc
In partnership with Gul Ahmed Metro Group we have formed the Metro-BII Renewables joint venture to develop and operate up to 500MW of renewable energy assets in Pakistan. Through the joint venture, British International Investment will acquire a significant minority stake in Metro Wind Power Limited, an under-construction 60MW windfarm project, developed by Gul Ahmed Metro Group.
SCB Pakistan RSF
British International Investment plc
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered plc. It is the oldest and largest international bank in Pakistan
KASHF Foundation
British International Investment plc
Kashf Foundation is one of the leading microfinance institutions in Pakistan. The organisation promotes female entrepreneurship and has so far enabled more than a million low-income families across Pakistan to improve their standard of living.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited
British International Investment plc
PTCL is a leading digital infrastructure company in Pakistan controlled by global telecom major E&. The transaction is a USD 50m commitment from BII to support its planned acquisition of Telenor Pakistan (“Telenor”), the 2nd largest Mobile Network Operator (“MNO”) in Pakistan, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Norwegian Telenor Group. BII’s commitment is part of a USD 400 million facility in collaboration with IFC.
GHF Fund LP
British International Investment plc
Evercare is an integrated healthcare delivery platform operating in growth markets across Africa and South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria. It helps communities thrive by improving patient access to clinic and hospital operations, leveraging technology and integration to increase the quality of care. Evercare is building a foundation of continuous quality improvement and standardized care to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.Evercare is wholly owned by the Evercare Health Fund, an emerging markets healthcare fund managed by TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG that also manages The Rise Fund, a global impact investing fund.
Evercare Health Fund
British International Investment plc
Evercare is an integrated healthcare delivery platform operating in growth markets across Africa and South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria. It helps communities thrive by improving patient access to clinic and hospital operations, leveraging technology and integration to increase the quality of care. Evercare is building a foundation of continuous quality improvement and standardized care to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.Evercare is wholly owned by the Evercare Health Fund, an emerging markets healthcare fund managed by TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG that also manages The Rise Fund, a global impact investing fund.
Techxila Fund I
British International Investment plc
Techxila Fund I is a venture capital fund managed by Fatima Gobi Ventures that invests in early stage start-ups in Pakistan.
Habib Bank Ltd.
British International Investment plc
Habib Bank, now referred to as HBL, was the first commercial bank established in Pakistan in 1947. Over the years, HBL has maintained its position as the largest private sector bank with over 1,700 branches and 2,000 ATMs globally and a customer base of ten million plus.