Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, a region with abundant natural resources, is facing an escalating environmental crisis due to severe water pollution and mismanagement. The province’s rivers such as Swat, Kabul and Indus serve as lifelines for irrigation, drinking water and hydroelectric power generation. However, unchecked industrial waste disposal, inadequate sewage management and irresponsible public behaviour are rapidly deteriorating these water bodies. Empowered to raise awareness about climate change, senior representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Climate Change and the KP government have supported the launch of publications on environmental issues, emphasising the role of education in fostering environmental responsibility. In an awareness-raising event, students participated in the final policy dialogue for the Climate Action Fellowship 2024 hosted by Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in Islamabad. The fellowship’s top 20 projects received incentives to promote scalability and sustainability, with fellows highlighting the need for curriculum reforms, teacher training and collaboration with local communities to advance climate education.