Staff Reporter
The Increased share of renewable energy solutions at community and industrial level with sustainable finance by public and private sectors will help to mitigate climate change effects.
It will also reduce vulnerabilities of marginalized segments of the society besides ensuring sustainable development in Pakistan. The green financing is important to promote solar solutions at household and community level.
Philanthropist and activist Prof Dr Muneer Azhar Chaudhry expressed the view while speaking at an “Awami Baithak” organized jointly by Indus Consortium and Cholistan Development Council
Addressing to the session titled “Green Financing for Sustainable Development,” Prof Dr Muneer Azhar Ch said that current provincial government has prioritized financing in energy sector and many clean energy corridors have been identified in the country and new projects are in foundation phase.
Speaking on the occasion, Farooq Ahmad Khan, Executive Director Cholistan Development Council welcomed the guests and emphasized that private finance is very important to achieve the net zero emission target set under Paris Climate agreement and national targets set by current government.
He said that increase allocation in coal will harm the environment and climate in Pakistan so government should develop an effective mechanism which makes banks and IFIs accountable to adhere the “Green Banking guidelines” of the State Bank of Pakistan and other international commitments including equator principles and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.
On the occasion, Imran Javed, SD Radio Pak Loralai, said that many environmental laws and protocols already exist in Pakistan but none is adhering to these laws and developing projects without or very poor Environmental Impacts Assessments ( EIAs) and do not consider the suggestions and recommendations of so-called EIAs.
Dr H Mohiyuddin, Assistant Prof Agriculture Department IUB, Mr. Hussain Jarwar, CEO Indus Consortium and Ms. Fiza Qureshi Manager Program Implementation Indus consortium appreciated that the current government which has considerably increased climate related budget.
Program manager CDC Ms Razia Malik said that Prime Minister’s Coal Moratorium has been translated into action and the investment of coal power has reduced from Rs. 28,141 million in 2018/19 and 2019/20 respectively.
Meanwhile, the City Police have been conducting raids to arrest a man, who was seen in a video harassing a female passerby in the Harbanspura area of the City on Friday.
It can be seen in the video that a woman, wrapped in a white shawl, is walking in a street that suddenly a motorcyclist, wearing a yellow shirt and cap, appears and starts blocking her way.
Although the woman changes her track, the motorcyclist still hounds her, shouts and makes indecent gestures at her.
Police have started looking for the suspect after registering a case against him.
Police are also watching the footages obtained from CCTV cameras in order to get to the culprit.
