The “Breathe Pakistan” climate conference in Islamabad addresses urgent climate change challenges, aiming for climate resilience by 2047. Key speakers, including Valerie Hickey and Mohamed Yahya, called for immediate financial support from wealthy nations and highlighted the current impacts of climate change on vulnerable countries like Pakistan. This two-day event seeks to promote collaboration and actionable policies in response to the climate crisis.
A significant climate conference, part of the “Breathe Pakistan” initiative, is currently underway in Islamabad, aiming to address climate change impacts and solutions. This two-day event seeks to enhance Pakistan’s climate resilience by 2047 while promoting collaboration among South Asian countries facing similar climate challenges such as rising temperatures and natural disasters.
Valerie Hickey, the World Bank’s global director for climate change, emphasized the urgent need for financial support from wealthier nations to avoid catastrophic loss of life due to climate impacts. She criticized the reliance on loans over grants and proposed changing the conference name to “Lead Pakistan” to more accurately reflect the call for action.
Mohamed Yahya, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, addressed the immediate threats posed by climate change, referencing the ongoing rise in global emissions and the growing frequency of extreme weather events. He pointed out that disasters like the 2022 monsoon floods in Pakistan highlight the urgent need for accessible and equitable climate finance, arguing for a collective responsibility to combat global warming.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that climate change is a present crisis, not a distant issue. He called for a shift from mere awareness to actionable policies and emphasized the disproportionate effects on countries like Pakistan, which contribute minimally to global emissions yet suffer severe consequences from climate disasters.
Hameed Haroon, CEO of Dawn Media Group, stressed the importance of dialogue among stakeholders at the conference. He called for a collective approach to mainstream climate concerns within policy frameworks, framing climate change as not just an event but a pervasive ideology requiring sustained action.
The conference commenced with an opening ceremony followed by discussions on various critical themes, including climate finance and sustainable solutions. Key sessions will involve government and corporate interactions, agricultural climate adaptation, and closing remarks from prominent figures, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing climate challenges.
The conference is part of Pakistan’s efforts to bolster its climate resilience by enhancing collaboration with neighboring countries facing similar environmental challenges. Given its vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, Pakistan aims to engage international financial institutions and partners to secure necessary funding and develop effective adaptive strategies. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need for comprehensive action and funding to combat the effects of climate change in developing regions.
The ongoing “Breathe Pakistan” conference is vital for fostering regional cooperation to combat climate change. With insights from key leaders highlighting the need for immediate action and commitment from the global north, the conference marks a critical step towards securing necessary climate finance and driving effective policies. Collective efforts are fundamental to transforming awareness into impactful action for a sustainable future in Pakistan and beyond.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
