CSDI finalises roadmap for strengthening climate resilience

PESHAWAR: The second meeting of the Advisory Council of the Center for Sustainable Development and Innovation (CSDI) at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar has finalized a future roadmap for strengthening climate resilience in Pakistan.

The meeting was chaired by UET Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sadiq Khattak, who serves as convener of the council.

In his remarks, the VC said Pakistan stood at a critical juncture in its battle against climate change, citing the recent floods as a reminder of the urgent need for action.

“The future of our generations depends on the choices we make today. It is time to act, not to deliberate anymore,” he stressed, adding that CSDI was not merely a research initiative but a movement for a resilient and sustainable Pakistan.

Prof. Dr. Mansoor, focal person for CSDI and professor of civil engineering, presented six priority themes.

After detailed deliberations, the council finalized core areas of research and initiatives, including policy, governance and continuing education; green energy and circular economy; climate change and disaster mitigation; water sustainability; and entrepreneurship and green startups.

He said that CSDI would play a vital role in generating innovative solutions while aligning the university’s research agenda with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting was attended by representatives from academia, industry and the development sector, including former UNDP advisor Hamid Raza Afridi, Afshan Khan of Fast Move Packages, Dr. Farida Anjum, Director of Agriculture Research Institute Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman from the University of Peshawar, Kashif Zahoor, Provincial Coordinator and Technical Advisor on Climate Change at GIZ, SDG reporting expert Dr. Asif Jalal, and water sustainability specialist Dr. Nadeem Ullah.

From UET Peshawar, participants included Prof Dr Nasru Minullah (Director ORIC), Dr Safdar Marwat (Director QEC), Dr. Jamil (Department of Chemical Engineering), Dr. Imran, and Dr. Shamaila Farooq (Director Media). Other members of the Advisory Council include SDG research expert Dr. Sagheer Aslam and Prof. Dr. Javaid Rabbani Khan of GIKI Swabi.

The council members appreciated UET Peshawar’s leadership in promoting sustainability-focused initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting climate-resilient solutions in the country.