Pakistan and US agree to step up climate action

Initiatives taken by Islamabad highlighted

Pakistan and United States agreed to work together to address climate change through the creation of the US-Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group.

Pakistan PM’s special assistant on climate change Malik Amin Aslam welcomed the cooperation on climate change between Pakistan and US and said that it “reaffirms and cements the green development vision of both countries as championed by the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Joe Biden.” The joint working group was constituted in July.

Addressing the virtual inaugural session of the group on Monday, Aslam highlighted major initiatives taken by the Pakistan government including the 10 billion tree plantation project, protected areas initiative, e-vehicle policy, renewable energy push, green jobs, nature performance bonds and Recharge Pakistan project for water conservation under the Clean Green Pakistan umbrella.

“The global community has acknowledged the leadership role of PM Imran Khan in tackling the challenge of climate change and implementing some of the ambitious afforestation and forest regeneration programs in Pakistan,” Malik Amin said.

Partnership lauded

US Chargé d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler hailed over 50 years of US-Pakistan partnership on energy and the environment including more than $900 million in new investments in renewable energy, supported programmes in water and climate-smart agriculture, and spurred the installation of air quality monitors across the country.