Zubair Qureshi
Islamabad
Investment in the environment sector not only brings financial benefits to the corporate sector but it also reduces environmental degradation and pollution, said participants of a webinar while urging the public-private sector to make coordinated efforts in this regard.
The environmental experts were of the view that the environment was not limited to tree-plantation or water conservation, rather “it started from the provision of safe drinking water to sanitation, waste collection to its segregation and disposal, clean air to cost-efficient green energy and a healthy environment.”
The webinar was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Central Standing Committee on Environment and Climate Change.
Climate expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Director General Farzana Altaf, Executive Director Devcom-Pakistan and FPCCI Deputy Convener of Central Standing Committee on Environment and Climate Change Munir Ahmed, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) head of women entrepreneurship Fouzia Qazi, Preston University Disaster Research Institute Director Dr. Allah Wadayo Baloch, and National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) research fellow Aneela Bibi were among the participants who gave their input on this important matter.
Water and Climate expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh presented a sustainable urban adaptation model which he said should be based on the synergy and trust of the stakeholders. “The government should bridge the trust deficit and engage the local businessmen into the local environmental solutions with small investments at the district level.
For the large interventions, the government should give incentives and invest in from the public exchequer. All the interventions for the investments shall be prepared by the independent experts with the consultation of local communities and civil society groups.”
