Pakistan and US agree to step up climate action
Partnership reaffirms commitment to address the climate change threats
Islamabad: Pakistan and United States agreed to work together to address climate change through the creation of the US-Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group.
Pakistan PM’s special assistant on climate change Malik Amin Aslam welcomed the cooperation on climate change between Pakistan and US and said that it “reaffirms and cements the green development vision of both countries as championed by the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Joe Biden.” The joint working group was constituted in July this year.
Addressing the virtual inaugural session of the group on September 20, Aslam highlighted major initiatives taken by the Pakistan government including the 10 billion tree plantation project, protected areas initiative, e-vehicle policy, renewable energy push, green jobs, nature performance bonds and Recharge Pakistan project for water conservation under the Clean Green Pakistan umbrella.
“The global community has acknowledged the leadership role of PM Imran Khan in tackling the challenge of climate change and implementing some of the ambitious afforestation and forest regeneration programs in Pakistan,” Malik Amin said.
US Chargé d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler hailed over 50 years of US-Pakistan partnership and cooperation on energy and the environment including more than $900 million in new investments in renewable energy, supported programmes in water and climate-smart agriculture, and spurred the installation of air quality monitors across the country.
Aggeler lauded the efforts Pakistan has made in climate adaptation and land use through initiatives such as the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami and Clean Green Pakistan, stating “show Pakistan is an active player in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.”
Noting that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to the damaging effects of climate change, she urged that greater action for climate change mitigation and adaptation is important for Pakistan’s large and growing population.
US chargé d’affaires also highlighted that President Biden has placed climate change at the center of US foreign and domestic policy. “By 2030, the United States plans to reduce emissions by 50 to 52 percent compared to 2005 levels, to become climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest,” she said.