Swedish envoy praises PTI govt’s initiatives to tackle climate change

Ambassador Henrik Parson launches awareness campaign on sustainable living standards in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan Henrik Parson on Sunday urged the need to meet environmental challenges by making changes in various areas, including business strategy, for an environment-friendly and conducive life.

"The world will face environmental challenges by reviewing all plans and policies, including business and industry, for an environment-friendly and sustainable life," he said.

The Swedish envoy said this while launching a seven-day awareness campaign on the topic of sustainable living standards and better living in accordance with the environmental standards at his residence for creating awareness on ‘Eat, Move and Live sustainability’ jointly organised by the Sweden Embassy in Islamabad and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

“We have to make good changes in our lives according to the environment and change things that are not compatible with the environment,” he said.

The Sweden top diplomat also appreciated the PTI-led government’s initiatives to tackle the negative effects of climate change and maintain quality of life in the country.

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‘Billion Tsunami Tree and Green Pakistan’ are the most important projects that will play an important role in fostering a sustainable and environment-friendly life, he added.

The ambassador said that climate change has its effects on sustainable development life goals and is also affecting different major aspects of life. "Today, agriculture, quality food, water scarcity and other life-threatening factors are threatened by climate change, which we must address,"

He added: “By stopping the use of plastic bags and other eco-adverse items, we can prevent carbon emissions from the atmosphere. We need to take some practical steps to make changes that will help address environmental issues.”

Pakistan and Sweden, he said, have a lot of potential for work in the fields of environment and sustainable living.

Social media can be a great tool to raise awareness about these issues among the people at this time, the envoy added.

Addressing the ceremony on the occasion, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said: "Today, the environment has emerged as a major issue in the world which has an impact on economic, social and human living standards."

He added: “Now that national security requirements have changed, we need to review our policies.”

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He said that in the modern world unconventional security challenges such as climate change, food security, health, education and water are major threats to national security.

The senator said that Sweden has an excellent culture and music trend and new avenues of cooperation could open up in these fields between the two countries.

While country head of Pakistan WWF Hamad Naki Khan said that in today’s world the issue like hunger, droughts, food security, heatwaves and floods are the major issues.

He said that the government, the private sector and non-profit organisations are all working together to protect natural resources.