ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan was the Chief Guest at a Special Event being organized on Thursday by the Ministry of Climate Change on Green financing Innovations in the Country.
The event was organized as part of the World Environment Day 2021 activities.
In his address at the event, Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized on achieving the tree plantation target under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Program (TBTTP) to protect the environmental future of the nation.
Underlining the importance of environmental protection for a better future of the next generations, he called for establishing national parks and promoting urban forestry.
The prime minister said that it is welcoming that people have started developing awareness about tree plantation, and school children are also taking part in the campaign. He said that every citizen should contribute to making the Country green.
Imran Khan said that it is encouraging that mangrove cover has been expanding in Pakistan for the last 20 years. He stressed the need for using new techniques adopted by China to raise forests in the Country.
Imran Khan said that Pakistan contributes to global carbon emission less than one percent; however, it is one of the most vulnerable Countries in respect of global warming effects due to glacier melting.
The prime minister said that the world started giving attention to the climate change issue about 20 years ago and it is now realizing the gravity of the situation. He said that Pakistan will take the lead in the global efforts for environmental protection.
On the occasion, a Joint Statement to initiate dialogue with the UK, Germany, and Canada for Pakistan’s first Nature Bond, and the possibility of a “Debt for Nature” Swap, was signed.
This is being globally viewed as a landmark idea for future green financing and Pakistan is privileged to take the lead.
As part of its efforts towards the protection of nature, the Ministry of Climate Change is undertaking two major initiatives which provide the basis for Eco-system Restoration in the Country.
The UN Environment Program’s flagship report on Natural Wealth indicates progressive trends which this present government has successfully changed towards positive direction since 2018, especially for forests and grasslands.
At today’s event, World Bank’s study on “Blue Carbon” was also presented which, for the first time, gives an economic value to the Country’s unvalued marine wealth including Pakistan’s mangroves and seagrasses.
Both these studies have paved the ground to give an economic value to Pakistan’s Natural Capital, in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s (Elion) was also signed for piloting green ecological zones in Pakistan.
