Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam has said that Pakistan is paying a huge cost due to the adverse impacts of climate change on various socioeconomic sectors, particularly agriculture, energy and water and addressing these negative fallouts is not possible without industrial and private sector’s support in every possible form.
‘As the impacts of humancaused climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the private sector in Pakistan can play a pivotal role in reducing climate changecausing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable business practices,’ Prime Minister’s climate aide remarked on Tuesday while addressing an inaugural ceremony of a 120 KV solar project at a private beverage company in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, Romina Khurshid Alam said that businesses across various industries in the country have started to realize their responsibility to cut the sector carbon emission. But, they urgently need to step up their efforts to contribute to a greener future of the country, she stressed.
She said the private sector’s involvement is crucial not only for achieving carbon reduction goals but also for driving broader economic and social benefits in the fight against climate change in line with the government’s green and clean energy policies and programmes.
While briefing the Prime Minister’s Coordinator Romina Khurshid Alam, the beverage firm’s senior representative said that the solar energy project will generate 166,440 units annually to electrify the beverage, which would help reduce 150 metric tons of heattrapping carbon emissions per year and help avoid cutting of 7,000 trees annually.
Appreciating the private beverage firm for installing 120 KV solar energy project, Romina Khurshid Alam said that demonstration of proactive and socially as well as environmentallyresponsible role by the beverage firm should be inspiring initiative for other private sector businesses and industries all over the country.
She urged the private sector to lead the way in investing in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind farms, which contribute to cleaner energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
‘Such green initiatives are of immense importance economically, environmentally and socially, however, the present government would support such initiatives by the private sector,’ Romina Khurshid Alam emphasized.
She also highlighted the importance of privatepublic partnership in promoting green energy projects in the country, saying that collaboration between the private sector and government agencies in the country is crucial for addressing climate change.
She said joint initiatives can enhance resource sharing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Romina Khurshid Alam also remarked that by promoting sustainable products and practices, businesses can influence consumer behavior, encouraging a shift towards lowcarbon choices among the public.
The commitment of the private sector to reducing carbon emissions is vital for Pakistan to achieve environmentally sustainability and climate resilience related goals, she added.
‘By embracing innovation, implementing sustainable practices, and collaborating with stakeholders and businesses can lead the way toward a greener, more resilient future,’ Romina Khurshid Alam said.