ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom will provide seven million pounds this year in grant financing and form of technical support to help Pakistan achieve its climate change objectives.

A British High Commission press release on Saturday says that UK is already working closely with Pakistan on climate change. Earlier this year, the UK launched a programme in Lahore to promote cleaner brick production practices which will help improve air quality, reduce smog and fight climate change.

As part of the brick kiln programme launched earlier this year, the UK will support a targeted training programme on “Zig Zag” technology for the brick industry to substitute coal and reduce emissions. This programme will be implemented in collaboration with the government of Punjab, Brick Kiln Owners Association of Pakistan and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

The UK-hosted COP26 climate change summit starts on Sunday (today) with the UK and Pakistan working closely on a greener future for the planet.

It comes as the British High Commission’s #26For26 campaign continues to smash its target of having 26 Pakistani companies commit to halving emissions by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050, the high commission said, adding 28 companies have so far signed up.

HC says Pakistan, UK are working closely on a greener future project

COP26 is the largest international event of its kind ever to be held in the UK with more than 25,000 delegates arriving in the city of Glasgow, including world leaders, opinion formers and top businesses. It will work to prevent global temperatures rising above 1.5C and protect our planet and people from the impacts of climate change.

The UK has already achieved notable successes so far. Around 70 per cent of the world’s economy is now covered by net zero targets, up from less than 30pc when the UK took on the presidency of COP26. This will help the most vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Some experts have warned that Karachi could be completely submerged by 2060 if the current trajectory of rising sea levels continues.

Temperatures in Karachi this year have already been the highest in 74 years and by 2030, property damage due to coastal storm surges and rising sea levels is set to increase tenfold. By 2100, rising temperatures mean 36 per cent of glaciers along the Hindu Kush and Himalayan range will be gone. The critical situation means Pakistan needs to act now, alongside the rest of the international community.

The high commission says the Pakistan’s leadership on some environmental issues has been recognised globally.

The British prime minister praised the country’s 10 billion tree tsunami project at the last month’s United Nations General Assembly.

Earlier this week, Britain’s Prince Charles spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan and agreed on the need for greater global cooperation on climate change and protecting the environment. Prince Charles congratulated PM Khan on the 10 billion tree tsunami initiative.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2021