UK, Sindh officials discuss climate action, coastal challenges

KARACHI: Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Sindh Agha Shahnawaz Khan met with a delegation from the British High Commission to discuss climate change impacts, coastal vulnerabilities and disaster preparedness in Sindh.

The delegation included Second Secretary Noam Rosenbaum and Head of the Humanitarian Aid Team Namra Zaheer. Director-General of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) Waqar Hussain Phulpoto was also present.

Khan highlighted that Sindh is increasingly exposed to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, yet preventive strategies like early warning systems and disaster preparedness often lack focus. He stressed the need for area-specific planning in vulnerable districts including Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal and Tharparkar.

He also mentioned two major climate-related projects proposed in 2016 that were stalled due to the 2022 floods and funding constraints. However, progress is underway with the establishment of a carbon registry directorate and plans to engage private sector experts to align with international environmental standards.

Phulpoto noted that Sindh is the only province with a formal fisheries policy and highlighted advancements in solar and wind energy, supported by Chinese partnerships. He described Sindh as environmentally diverse and vulnerable, with extreme temperatures and varied landscapes.

Khan shared that a climate change working group has been set up under his leadership to coordinate interdepartmental data collection and introduce modern systems for community resilience and environmental awareness.

The British High Commission delegation commended the Sindh government for its proactive climate efforts and reaffirmed continued support in climate financing, early warning systems and policy development. They praised Sindh’s cooperation and commitment to addressing environmental challenges despite limited resources.