ISLAMABAD : Environment experts and lawmakers have asked the government for urgent action to promote renewable energy, restore ecosystems of Indus Delta and other vulnerable spots along with strengthening green financing.

The demand was made at the ‘National Climate Justice Youth Film Festival 2025’ where the overall tone was also critical of developed nations for fuelling climate change.

Speaking at the occasion, Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson senate standing committee on climate change criticised developed nations for fuelling climate change, saying Pakistan, which emits less than one per cent of global carbon, is paying the price for their industrial greed.

She called climate change a global crisis created by the industrialised world but disproportionately devastating for vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

“Crop burning, brick kilns, and unchecked urban development are killing our people,” she said adding that the 2022 floods submerged one-third of Pakistan and recent disasters killed hundreds of people across 63 districts.

She termed the situation “climate injustice” as $7 trillion continues to be funneled into fossil fuel subsidies worldwide.

Senator Rehman warned that record-breaking heat-waves, rising seas, and deforestation threaten Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock, and human survival.

She urged immediate domestic action, including expanding forest cover, regulating urban growth, encouraging low-plastic start-ups, and embracing renewable energy.

“Pakistan is already the world’s sixth-largest solar user, Sindh is investing heavily in clean energy, we must build resilience with what we have and protect our people,” she stressed, adding that saving nature is now a matter of national survival.

Senator Poonjo Mal Bheel of Senate Standing Committee on Power, said the situation in remote areas like Thar, people face electricity loadshedding of up to 18 hours a day and said solution to this crisis lies in provision of solar and wind energy.

The film festival was organised by Indus Consortium, an organisation focuses on climate change, humanitarian, and development issues.

Chairman Indus Consortium Liaqat Ali said the festival had become a flagship platform for youth to share their creativity and contribute to the climate justice movement.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2025