COP29 presentation highlights Pakistan's efforts to tackle climate change

A session dedicated to "Decarbonising Lahore's Industry" has been held as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.

Head of the Environmental Protection Department in Pakistan's Punjab province Imran Hamid delivered a speech at the session, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

He noted that Punjab is the most industrialised region in Pakistan and experiences the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Excessive emissions from industrial enterprises create a number of problems, one of which is climate change. In recent years, continuous rainfall in Pakistan has led to flash floods, which in turn hinder agricultural development.

This has also resulted in population migration. To address these challenges, measures related to decarbonization are being implemented. The presentation highlighted that Pakistan’s natural resources offer significant potential for expanding green energy production. 

The Pakistani government has invited several foreign companies to invest in the country’s green energy sector. As a result, wind and solar energy stations are currently being built in the Punjab province.

The province is closely monitoring the operations of vehicle fleets, as the surplus of cars is a major contributor to air pollution. 

To address this, favourable conditions are being created in the region to encourage the import of electric vehicles. Pakistan aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 through the measures which are being implemented. 

Following the presentation, a discussion was held, during which information about Pakistan's economy, culture, and tourism potential was shared, along with a video showcasing the country's highlights. 

COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova