Speakers stress climate action through scientific collaboration
Speakers stress climate action through scientific collaboration
Speakers stress climate action through scientific collaboration action through scientific collaboration
Lahore: The Government College University (GCU) Lahore hosted a one-day conference titled “CO₂ Talks” on Tuesday, bringing together leading experts from academia, industry, government, and international organizations.
The conference focused on driving transformative climate action through scientific collaboration, data-driven policymaking, and multi-sector accountability. Speakers highlighted the urgent need to integrate sustainability into national development strategies, calling for inclusive, evidence-based, and forward-thinking solutions.
In her keynote address, Ms. Yulia Bazhenova, Country Head of GIZ Pakistan, emphasized the importance of coordinated environmental action. She underscored the critical role of youth and academic institutions in shaping future-focused climate policies.
GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Omer Chaudhry highlighted the serious health impacts of environmental degradation, citing nearly 22,000 premature deaths and over 163,000 disability-adjusted life years lost annually in Pakistan due to environmental issues like smog.
“These numbers are not mere statistics—they represent lives disrupted, communities harmed, and a future at risk. True change begins with individuals. Each of us has a role to play, whether at home, in classrooms, or within our daily routines,” Prof. Chaudhry said.
The VC also shared GCU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, praising faculty-led initiatives and expressing confidence in the university’s trajectory toward becoming a model for environmentally responsible higher education.
Dr. Ayyaz ud Din, Chairman of PRGMEA (North), emphasized the critical need for decarbonization in Pakistan’s industrial sector, particularly in the textile industry. He noted that initiatives like CO₂ Talks are essential for aligning national practices with global environmental standards, ensuring Pakistan remains competitive in international markets.
Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif, Director of GCU SDSC, emphasized that decarbonizing industrial supply chains is a significant challenge due to knowledge gaps, inconsistent compliance standards, limited data, and resource constraints. She positioned academia as a key partner in bridging these gaps through data generation, research, and policy support, aligned with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
Dr. Zulfiqar Younis, Additional Secretary for Climate Finance at the Ministry of Climate Change, delivered a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s developing carbon market, while Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF Pakistan, discussed water conservation and the interconnections between biodiversity and climate change, urging enhanced action to safeguard both natural resources and ecosystems.
The conference fostered productive brainstorming on climate solutions through three insightful panel discussions. The first panel, “Maili Maili Dhoop,” moderated by Asad Bajwa (CEO, South Asian Sourcing Pvt Ltd), focused on sunlight harvesting, with Anwar Masood emphasizing the need to reconnect with nature amidst environmental degradation.
The second panel, on circularity, decarbonization, and inclusivity, moderated by Saifullah Minhas (Director, Delta Garments), featured Dr. Arif Bashir (DG Cement), who advocated for biogas projects to mitigate environmental impacts.
The third panel, on regulatory compliance, moderated by Hassan Shafqat (CEO, Pakistan Textile Council), included Dr. Nabeel Amin, who called for legislation on hazardous chemicals, and Dr. Khurram Tariq, who urged better
compliance across industries.
The conference closed with a theatrical performance titled “Libas ka Safar” by the GCU Dramatics Club and NAMS, followed by a final address from Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Omer Chaudhry on mobilizing youth to take climate action.
The conference was jointly organized by GCU’s Sustainable Development Study Centre (SDSC) in collaboration with the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the National Climate Council (NCC).
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