Imran Khan shares WEF video, praising Pakistan’s climate action plan

Jabeen Adil, Gulf Today

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday posted a video shared by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in which it praised Pakistan’s environmental policies, climate action plan, and response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Imran Khan shared the video on Twitter with a caption, “Globally PTI's environment policies are being recognised especially our green recovery programme from the COVID-19 pandemic and our Climate action plan.”

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The video sheds light on the three ways in which Pakistan is moving ahead towards a greener future.

During the pandemic, Pakistan made a bold announcement to shift away from a coal-based pathway towards renewable energy by announcing a the target of achieving 60% clean energy mix by 2030, reads the text of the video.

As a result of the implementation of the Billion Tree Tsunami (2014-18), it has created 85,000 daily wage jobs across the country in nursery raising, plant care, protection of natural forests and firefighting activities.

 Imran Khan during launching a tree plantation campaign at Al-Qadir University, Sohawa. File

“Pakistan’s first institutional National Parks Service is now under way, targeting 5,000 nature jobs to be generated for youth people who will be trained to become guardians and custodians of nature," WEF said.

“Substantial support funds of $180 million have been secured through multilateral partners (led by the World Bank) proving that if the right plan is in place with full ownership, the funds can always be generated.”

The forum has also recognised Pakistan’s efforts towards the creation of 15 new national parks, which the government announced during the COVID-19 crisis, as the country increased its protected areas coverage by 50%.

Sensing a growing appetite for green and low-carbon investments in the international capital markets, Pakistan is all set to launch its first “Green Euro Bond” for $500 million.

“As the pandemic devastates the globe and climate change threatens our way of life, our relationship with nature demands us to rethink. 1 million animal and plant species worldwide are at risk of extinction,” the video concludes.

In the end, the video text read, “Investing in a nature-positive economy could generate 395 million jobs by 2030. How is your country building a greener future.?