UK to double investment in Pakistan to tackle climate change

ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom has announced to double its investment to tackle climate change and improve climate resilience and adaption in Pakistan.

This was stated by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott while addressing a reception to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III Tuesday evening at her residence here. Caretaker Foreign Minister Syed Jalil Abbas Jailani was the chief guest.

Ms Marriott referred to the association of King Charles with Pakistan. She was hopeful relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom would grow further.

The high commissioner recalled following last year’s floods, which left a third of Pakistan under water, affecting some 33 million people, no one can be in doubt of just how climate vulnerable Pakistan is. “It is why the United Kingdom will be advocating at COP-28 for a substantive loss and damage fund to assist climate vulnerable countries. And why UK is arguing for a bigger, greener and fairer international financial response to climate change,” she said. The high commissioner dedicated the celebrations to the climate change. The stalls and other demonstrations in the reception were associated with the theme COP-28 and climate change. The UK is committed to undertaking both in Pakistan, she said.

She assured the United Kingdom would work with the global system for mobile communications to expand Al-based early warning fire detection system project. “It will cover more of KP and the Federal Capital Territory to minimise the risk of forest fires safeguarding lives and Pakistan’s bio-diversity,” she said.

She told the guests her country has selected eight innovative Pakistan projects for the second phase of the UK’s climate finance accelerator (CFA) programme. The projects will receive expert support to help find investment, with all having the potential to transform communities across Pakistan and tackle climate-related issues, she observed.

Pointing out examples of the UK innovative work in Pakistan, she said it included “expanding out Chevening offer via new private partnership to the work British Council has undertaken with Google and Save and Observe Children Health (SOCH) foundation.”

The high commissioner said for the last 50 years, King Charles has been a relentless advocate for environmental sustainability.

Renowned singer Aima Baig performed and sang English, Punjabi, Saraiki, Pashto and Urdu songs.