Imran calls on rich countries to do their part against climate change

Ag APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged rich countries to provide aid to developing countries like Pakistan to fight global warming and improve the ecosystem as the country hosted this year’s World Environment Day, in collaboration with the United Nations.

He was addressing the environment day ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday. He commended the UN for repeatedly asking the developed world to fulfil its responsibility and support those countries which are working for the protection of environment, state-run Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.

Khan said the “United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” is an opportunity for the world to do “course correction” and work towards meeting the carbon emission cut targets. The Prime Minister pointed out that Pakistan’s carbon emission share is miniscule, yet it decided to take initiatives to offset the impact of global warming.

The Prime Minister underlined the need for making strenuous and sustained efforts to preserve the planet earth for the future generations. He regretted that in Pakistan too, in past, no attention was paid to counter the issues like environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources and deforestation.

Khan said one billion trees were planted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a period of five years from 2013 to 2018. He said another one billion trees had also been planted in different parts of the country under the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project.

The Prime Minister urged the nation to become part of the mega forestation program to make it a success story which will have positive impact not only on the lives of the people but also the country and its economy. He said greater responsibility rests with teachers to educate children about the importance of planting trees. He said local communities will be involved for the protection of forests in the country and the “back of timber mafia has been broken” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the help of forest guards which helped increase the forest cover in the province.

The Prime Minister said “Recharge Pakistan” is also being initiated with the purpose to restore wetlands and improve the water table in aquifers. He said 15 national parks have been established which will also help promote tourism. By 2030, he said, “we will be producing 60 per cent energy from renewable sources, while 30 per cent of all vehicles would be transferred to electricity as part of efforts to limit emissions”.

The Prime Minister said it is a matter of distinction for Pakistan to host the World Environment Day. This, he said, is also acknowledgement of the steps taken by Pakistan for the protection of the environment.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Amin Aslam said: “Our environment protection initiatives have so far provided 85,000 jobs to the people. This year there will be an addition of 200,000 more jobs.

Aslam said Pakistan also accepted the challenge of restoring one million hectares of degraded and deforested land. “Our green financing initiative is aimed at generating funds for climate friendly projects,” he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose message was read out by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, commended the strides made by Pakistan to cope with climate change.

Xi said his country stands ready to work with Pakistan and other countries to inject new impetus into global environmental governance and contribute to a clean and beautiful world. Virtually delivering his message, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan for undertaking a mega project of planting ten billion trees. He said it is a huge campaign for forestation. UN Secretary General António Guterres said these next ten years are our final chance to avert a climate catastrophe, turn back the deadly tide of pollution and end species loss. He said we should finally make peace with nature and secure a better future for all.