At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran Urges World To Take Climate Change More Seriously - Pakistan

10/30/21, 1:22 PM At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran urges world to take climate change more seriously - Pakistan - DAWN.
COM
TODAY'S PAPER | OCTOBER 30, 2021
At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran urges world

to take climate change more seriously
Dawn.com | Published October 25, 2021
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653983/at-green-initiative-summit-pm-imran-urges-world-to-take-climate-change-more-seriously 1/13
10/30/21, 1:22 PM At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran urges world to take climate change more seriously - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
OO
World leaders at the opening ceremony of Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Riyadh. — Photo courtesy Prime
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed hope on Monday that the world would take the
challenge of climate change more seriously, as he outlined steps taken by Pakistan on
this front and warned of consequences if immediate measures were not taken to
address the problem.
"I hope that all of us collectively take this challenge much more seriously than what we have done so
far," the premier said while addressing the opening ceremony of Middle East Green Initiative Summit
in Riyadh.
At the outset of his address, he pointed out that just 10 per cent of the world's countries were
responsible for emissions causing environmental damage.
"And unfortunately, we (Pakistan) are among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change," he
said, sharing with other participants that over the past 10 years, the country had faced "152 extreme
weather events ... which had triggered an economic loss of over $3.8 billion".
He added that Pakistan's future climate adaption costs were estimated at between $6bn and $14bn.
"So, we decided that before the world takes any action, we, as a country, for our own survival, must
[do] whatever is in our reach," he said.
Outlining the decisions taken by his government in this regard, the premier said the country would
shift 60pc of all its energy production to clean sources by 2030. Moreover, the government planned
to shift 30pc of all transport was to electric vehicles by 2030 and the country had committed not to
initiate any new coal projects.
"We have already shelved 2,400 megawatts of coals projects [and] replaced them with 3,700
megawatts of hydroelectricity," he said.
He added that his government had also focused on nature-based initiatives, notably the 10 Billion
Tree Tsunami project.
"We have already planted 2.5bn [trees] " of the 10bn target, he said.
The premier further stated that the government planned to plant 1m more mangroves by 2023 and
green parks in the country had been expanded by 50pc during the pandemic.
"In the process, we have also provided green jobs — jobs that are related to improving our
environment," he said, adding that 85,000 jobs had been created in this area and the number was
expected to rise to 200,000 by next year.
PM Imran said his government had also been working towards the restoration of wetlands.
He shared with the participants that the World Bank had ranked Pakistan as the top country for
using development finance for climate-friendly initiatives and gave examples of green bonds, blue
bonds, nature bonds and a mechanism devised by the government for the transition to clean energy.
The prime minister also highlighted that glaciers were melting at a rapid pace due to climate change
and as a resultant, Pakistan and several other countries were at risk of facing water scarcity.
Terming climate change "one of the biggest crises" the world faced today, PM Imran said the problem
was visible 20 years ago, but unfortunately, the world failed to realise its implications.
PM Imran meets John Kerry

On the sidelines of the summit. PM Imran met Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry
and "underscored the need to reinforce national as well as global emphasis against [the] existential
threat" of climate change, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan

@PakPMO
The United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for

Climate, @JohnKerry, called on Prime Minister
@ImranKhanPTI in Riyadh, today, on the sidelines of
the “Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)” Summit.
#ClimateAction
5:56 PM · Oct 25, 2021
1K 27 Share this Tweet
Tweet your reply
In a series of tweets, the PMO said the prime minister highlighted during the meeting the priority
attached to climate change by his government.
"The PM shared his perspective with the special envoy on challenges faced by Pakistan and other
developing countries due to climate change, while highlighting Pakistan’s experience of launching
nature-based solutions to address the environmental challenges, [the] including Plant for Pakistan
[campaign]," it added.
It said ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and the US on climate change and environment was
reviewed during the meeting.
Moreover, PM Imran "expressed satisfaction on the recently held inaugural meeting of the 'US-
Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group', which explored potential areas of bilateral Pak-
US cooperation on climate action", according to the PMO.
"Special Envoy Kerry agreed that Pakistan and the US shared a longstanding relationship, which
should be further reinforced in areas of mutual convergence, including climate and environment," it
further stated. "He (Kerry) acknowledged various initiatives undertaken by Pakistan to fight climate
change."
The PMO said Kerry emphasised the priority attached by the US administration to the issue of
climate change and briefed PM Imran on various measures taken by the Biden administration "for
developing a broad global consensus on climate action in the run-up to the UNFCCC Conference of
Parties (COP26), later this month".
"The PM underscored that Pakistan and the United States should continue sharing ideas, expertise
and technology to optimise mutually beneficial opportunities in the fight against climate change."
According to the PMO, the prime minister also encouraged Kerry to further "explore [the] possibility
of enhanced bilateral engagement through the US International Development Finance Corporation
(DFC) to support investment in climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation in Pakistan and the
developing world".
"The special envoy acknowledged the huge potential of cooperation in these areas and expressed the
desire to further explore opportunities of bilateral cooperation including in power generation projects
from renewable sources," it said, adding that the two sides agreed to work in close coordination to
determine next steps in building an effective framework of cooperation in this regard.
The ongoing situation in Afghanistan also came under discussion during the meeting, the PMO said.
It said PM Imran underscored the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for Pakistan and
the rest of the region.
"The prime minister stressed the imperative for the international community to work pragmatically
to preserve peace and security, avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and prevent an economic
collapse," the PMO said, adding that the premier also stressed the need for "positive engagement and
release of economic resources and financial assets for the welfare of the Afghan people".
Latest Stories
Trial date set for man charged with conspiracy to Asif Ali the Finisher is playing the cricket of his life in
murder Pakistani blogger Ahmad Goraya the T20 World Cup
Ulema offer help to end TLP-govt standoff Pakistan’s first chief pilot for Emirates dies
PPP activists take to the streets in twin cities against Islamabad police gear up to counter TLP rally
inflation
Zayn Malik pleads no contest to harassing girlfriend Gigi Hadid and her mother
Indian actor Juhi Chawla signs INR 100,000 bond for release of Shah Rukh Khan's son
Fans spread the message of civility, positivity ahead of Pakistan-Afghanistan T20 World Cup match
Most Popular
01 'Shameless and unacceptable': Shoaib Akhtar quits PTV, walks off show after being 'insulted' by anchor
02 Undeterred, thousands of TLP workers enter Gujranwala as protest continues for 2nd week
Govt decides to treat TLP as militant outfit

Govt decides to treat TLP as militant outfit
03
04 'Genuine mistake': Waqar Younis apologises for remarks on Rizwan's prayer during Pak-India match
05 RED ZONE FILES: Resorting to Rangers
06 Pakistan needs to unapologetically tell its narrative to the world, says NSA Moeed Yusuf
07 India tests nuclear-capable missile amid tensions with China
08 Dr Nauman Niaz, Shoaib Akhtar to be taken off air until completion of inquiry: PTV
09 Notification lessons
Must Read
The irony of the government's response to TLP march

The tough talk that emanated after the NSC meeting was unwittingly haunted by the paradox of the past.
Asif Ali the Finisher is playing the cricket of his life in the T20 World
Cup
What is missing from the talks on the Kashmir dispute?
'Remember the name': Netizens gush over Asif Ali as Green Shirts beat
Afghanistan in thrilling T20 World Cup fixture
Dawn.com | AFP
Editorial: The report on weak digital media freedom in Pakistan comes

as no surprise
Opinion
Machines with soul

Hajrah Mumtaz
Man has been both in love with and fearful of his own creations.
Updated 30 Oct 2021
Kashmir dispute
A.G. Noorani
Updated 30 Oct 2021
Irony on the march
Fahd Husain
30 Oct 2021
What is our growth potential?
Riaz Riazuddin
29 Oct 2021
Covid’s impact on students
Faisal Bari
Editorial
30 Oct 2021
Privatisation plans
FEW believe that the government can pull off its plans to privatise the loss-making state-owned enterprises in...
Updated 30 Oct 2021
Curbing digital space

A REPORT stating that digital media freedom remained weak in Pakistan during
2020-2021 should come as no surprise....
30 Oct 2021
Vaccinating children
THE Sindh government’s announcement that children over the age of 12 will not require parental consent to get...
Updated 29 Oct 2021
TLP seesaw
THE TLP threat refuses to abate because every government insists on mishandling it
by combining ineptitude with lack...
29 Oct 2021
Easing the pressure?

SHORT-TERM Saudi loans always come in handy for our rulers — be they from the PML-N or PTI — when there
is...
29 Oct 2021
Child labour in GB
THE results of a recent survey conducted in Gilgit-Baltistan on the extent of child labour there has put the
number...

At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran Urges World To Take Climate Change More Seriously - Pakistan

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran Urges World To Take Climate Change More Seriously - Pakistan

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

10/30/21, 1:22 PM At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran urges world to take climate change more seriously - Pakistan - DAWN.

TODAY'S PAPER | OCTOBER 30, 2021

At Green Initiative Summit, PM Imran urges world

PM Imran meets John Kerry

threat" of climate change, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan

The United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for

5:56 PM · Oct 25, 2021

1K 27 Share this Tweet

Tweet your reply

Govt decides to treat TLP as militant outfit

05 RED ZONE FILES: Resorting to Rangers

07 India tests nuclear-capable missile amid tensions with China

The irony of the government's response to TLP march

What is missing from the talks on the Kashmir dispute?

Editorial: The report on weak digital media freedom in Pakistan comes

Machines with soul

Updated 30 Oct 2021

Updated 30 Oct 2021

Irony on the march

What is our growth potential?

Covid’s impact on students

Updated 30 Oct 2021

Curbing digital space

Updated 29 Oct 2021

Easing the pressure?

You might also like