Zubair Qureshi
Climate change is not simply a carbon issue, but one that impacts biodiversity, water, livelihoods and the economy.
Fragile to the effects of climate change, Pakistan must act now to adapt and protect its frontline communities and its economy.
This was stressed by a panel of experts at a session titled ‘Glasgow and Beyond: Securing a Climate Resilient Future’, organized by WWF-Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association.
The aim of the session was to highlight the issues being discussed at COP26, the global climate change conference underway in Glasgow, and deliberate on what the ongoing discussions and decisions mean for Pakistan; one of the top ten countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Moderated by Dr Imran Saqib Khalid, Director Governance and Policy, WWF-Pakistan, the diverse panel included Annabel Gerry, Country Director for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) UK; Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan; Dr Asif Khattak, Assistant Professor, University of Peshawar; Kashmala Kakakhel, Climate Expert; and Anam Rathor, Climate Activist.
Speaking on the topic, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan said the issue could not be ignored anymore.
For environmental organizations like the WWF, this means working with the most vulnerable communities, including farmers, fishermen, etc., to build their capacity and help them adapt to challenges.
“For us, climate change is water change.
Talking about a multi-faceted approach to tackling the problem, Annabel Gerry, Country Director FCDO UK, said that “we need young people, civil society, academics, government and the private sector to play their roles so that research can be translated into policy and implemented accordingly”.
She went on to speak about how the FCDO has changed its approach from a humanitarian response around climatic catastrophes towards focusing on building resilience and how communities respond to them.
“The challenge will be to keep this momentum going after COP26, but there is ground for optimism as all stakeholders are now taking this issue seriously.”
