LAHORE – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan has stressed the need for a robust climate change response from all the stakeholders in the country.
Speaking at a press conference at Lahore Press Club on Monday, President WWF International Dr Adil Najam said Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
He said the country can transform this challenge into an opportunity through the formulation and implementation of comprehensive climate policies and initiatives,
He said that Pakistan possesses immense potential to lead the way in climate action. He said collective efforts are essential in turning challenges into solutions.
Dr Najam said Pakistan’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change has become increasingly evident, as demonstrated by the catastrophic floods of 2002, serving as a stark reminder of the nation’s exposure to the climate crisis.
As one of the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, Dr Najam explored how Pakistan can transform this challenge into an opportunity through the formulation and implementation of comprehensive climate policies and initiatives.
“Pakistan possesses immense potential to lead the way in climate action, and collective efforts are essential in turning challenges into solutions,” he added. This was Dr Najam’s first large-scale media engagement since he assumed the Presidency on July 1, 2023.
WWF-Pakistan Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan highlighted the critical role Pakistan can play in shaping global climate action, harnessing opportunities, and developing sustainable solutions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
He stated, “Collaboration is at the centre of WWF’s work and our recently approved Recharge Pakistan project is perhaps the greatest testament to this as it brings together both government and private stakeholders. Only through collaboration and exchange of resources can we forge a path towards a greener and more sustainable future for Pakistan.”
The press conference served as a call to action, seeking the commitment of all participants to work collectively towards a future where Pakistan emerges not only as a nation resilient to climate disasters but also as a leading advocate in the global climate response.
Recently, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced $66 million in funding to support ‘Recharge Pakistan, a project to enhance Pakistan’s resilience to climate change by improving water systems and investing in green infrastructure.
Overall, this $77.8 million partnership is the largest-ever investment in an ecosystem-based approach to building Pakistan’s climate resilience.
