UK, Pakistan vow to work jointly for tackling climate risks

Islamabad: The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Christian Turner, on Wednesday called on Prime Minister’s Advisor on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and conveyed his government’s interest to work with the climate change ministry on the present government’s green and clean programmes.

During the meeting between the two sides held here the advisor’s office, the British High Commissioner told Malik Amin Aslam that the UK government is seriously interested to help Pakistan boost its climate resilience against negative fallouts of the global warming.

The Advisor Malik Amin Aslam thanked Dr. Christian Turner and said while the global warming-caused climate change is the gravest risk facing the humanity and Pakistan or any other country cannot fight it alone.

“Climate Change, which is affecting various socio-economic sectors including agriculture, water, energy and food production systems worldwide, all of the countries have to join hands to cope with the common global peril of climate change,” Malik Amin Aslam emphasised.

He also briefed him about the five key green initiatives namely, Clean Green Pakistan Programme, Clean Green Pakistan Risk Index, 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, Recharge Pakistan and Ecosystem Restoration Fund being implemented by the climate change ministry under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“When you invest in nature, nature gives you back at such a speed you cannot imagine,” the advisor stated.

Meanwhile, the UK High Commissioner talked about the 4 areas of work related to climate change. “Green financial systems, clean green growth, nature based solutions and adaptation resilience are important areas to work on,” the high commissioner said.

He further said inauguration of the Clean Green Pakistan Index by Prime Minister demonstrated the present government’s unflinching dedication of in making the country Clean and Green environmentally-safe and climate-resilient.

The high commissioner appreciated the Advisor's efforts regarding Climate change adaptation and mitigation and tackling environmental degradation.

The meeting, however, concluded with a promise on both sides that Pakistan and UK government will closely together boosting Pakistan’s efforts for tackling climate risks and environmental degradation at all scales.