ISLAMABAD: With global agreement to speed up action on climate change, Pakistan is among 130 countries committed to reversing deforestation along with cutting methane emissions by 30pc by the year 2030.

According to a statement issued by the British High Commission, the 26th Global United Nations Climate Summit came to a successful close in the United Kingdom with all participating nations agreeing to accelerate action on climate change this decade. Nearly 200 countries agreed upon the Glasgow Climate Pact.

Around 30 large Pakistani businesses signed up to the UK in Pakistan’s 26for26 campaign pledging to reduce their carbon emissions by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2050.

As per the statement, last week the UK announced more than £55 million to help Pakistan build its resilience to the impact of climate change, manage water more sustainably and unlock climate investment.

30 large businesses vow to reduce carbon emissions by 2030

“Pakistan is ranked the 8th most vulnerable country to climate change with rising temperatures threatening to melt 36 percent of glaciers along the Hindu Kush and Himalayan range by 2100,” the statement read.

Pakistan aims to produce 60pc of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and has committed to not importing any new coal. To speed up the phasing out of coal-fired power stations, Pakistan signed up to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Energy Transition Mechanism.

The statement said that when the UK took on the COP26 leadership role nearly two years ago, only 30 per cent of the world was covered by net zero targets.

“This figure is now at around 90pc. Over the same period, 154 parties have submitted new national targets, representing 80pc of global emissions,” it added.

The UK Presidency has also been focused on driving action to deliver emissions reductions, the statement said, adding, “We have seen a huge shift in coal, with many more countries committing to phase out unabated coal power and ending international coal financing.”

Furthermore, the transition to zero emission vehicles is gathering pace, with some of the largest car manufacturers working together to make all new car sales zero emission by 2035 and 2040. Countries and cities are following suit with ambitious petrol and diesel car phase out dates, the statement added.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2021