Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab today announced that Karachi has become the first city in Pakistan to join the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, marking a significant commitment to tackling global warming. The city’s membership in C40 paves the way for international funding to bolster its climate change mitigation efforts.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has set up a 100-million-rupee endowment fund dedicated to climate initiatives. The mayor emphasized that additional funding would be sought from both the Sindh and federal governments. These announcements were made during the launch of the Karachi Climate Change Action Plan at Kidney Hill Park, attended by key municipal officials.

Outlining the climate master plan, Mayor Wahab highlighted initiatives such as large-scale tree plantations, water management, and solar energy projects. He introduced the “Friends of Karachi” board, including representatives from the government and private sectors, to supervise these efforts. The Sindh government is also constructing housing in flood-affected regions to support urban development.

Karachi’s shift to renewable energy is evident with the solar park at Kidney Hill Park and the transition of KMC buildings and hospitals to solar power. Mayor Wahab also announced the creation of urban forests across the city and plans to integrate environmental education into school curricula. He called on corporations to direct their CSR funds towards local community projects.

In response to inquiries, Mayor Wahab addressed responsibilities regarding port management and stressed the importance of trade over aid. He expressed disappointment in the federal government’s management of local housing areas, urging a more committed approach to Karachi’s development.