ISLAMABAD: The government was cognisant of the potential of youth in climate change initiatives and had made it a priority to engage them in its development interventions.

This was stated by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam while speaking at the launch of a comprehensive report on ‘Youth and Climate Change Perception’, prepared by the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) in collaboration with the UNDP Pakistan on Sunday.

Besides Mr Aslam, who was the chief guest, the event was also attended by MoCC Secretary Naheed Shah Durrani and UNDP Resident Representative Aliona Niculita.

The study explored Pakistani youth’s regulatory knowledge and climate advocacy and provided crucial insights into the background, knowledge and awareness of youth of the concept and causes and effects of climate change. The survey has also been included in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2020-21.

Ministry, UNDP launch report on ‘Youth and Climate Change Perception’

Mr Aslam said Pakistan’s youth carried an incredible potential to ensure sustainable development.

“A resilient youth translates into a resilient nation, and our youth has taken initiatives that carry not only socioeconomic significance, but have an eco-friendliness facet to it as well,” he added.

Aliona Niculita said being well aligned with the government’s priorities the UNDP had been working to enhance representation of youth in the national climate agenda.

“I am glad that UNDP, under its climate promise initiative, has supported the government in undertaking this rapid perception study, which opens more avenues for collaborative policy and programmatic efforts,” she said.

The MoCC secretary said that Pakistan was going through a tough period where they had to ensure that social, economic and environmental performance of Pakistan grew at a steady rate.

“Against the challenges of climate change and growing unemployment, we have launched a range of youth-focused policies and programmes to involve them in national development,” she said.

She stressed the need to harness the youth’s potential to build a better, sustainable future.

A panel discussion was also held at the launch event where young climate activists and professionals working in the climate change sphere shared their insights on youth’s role in climate action and policymaking.

The panelists discussed how youth could be engaged at the grassroots level to improve climate change adaptation techniques as well as ways to promote women-led climate action.

With 68 per cent of the population below the age of 30, young people formed the biggest segment of the society and could play a significant role as agents of change in tackling climate change.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2021