Save the Children organised Pakistan’s first-ever “Zero Waste Eco Festival” to raise awareness amongst children and the youth about climate change and environment-related issues.
The festival created an immersive experience for attendees to come together in nature and partake in sustainable activities and practices to learn how to reduce their ecological footprints.
The festival created a marketplace of sustainable products, designs, and ideas. It brought together stalls from green companies and start-ups working on sustainable technology; organic and local farmers working with sustainable practices; and non-profit organizations that are working on environment-related issues.
The festival was organised around the principles of “Reuse, reduce, recycle.” Event Management Company Active Media, ensured that the event was designed using innovative ideas and sustainable materials such as bamboo, UV printing and wooden carvings, with an emphasis on reducing plastic and other waste with regards to the event set up, as well as branding and marketing material. Our official ticketing partners, Book it Now, also helped minimize paper waste by helping set up a QR code based ticketing system for the event.
Saaf Suthra Sheher was engaged to manage the waste at the event, and effectively ensured that all the waste that was generated was recycled, upcycled or safely disposed. The company also set up a number of recycling stations at the event, and a group of youth volunteers was trained to effectively teach and guide guests on how to discard their trash. Critically, the festival can serve as a case study and road map for companies and organization to reduce the environmental impact of large scale events and festivals in Pakistan.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Youth Engagement for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future.” Panelists included Ms. Marion Pfennings, Head of Development Corporation at the German Embassy Islamabad; Mr Atif Sheikh, Executive Director of the Special Talent Exchange Program; Sheryar Arif Khan, Assistant District Commissioner Islamabad; Brig Muhammad Aslam Khan (Retd), Chairman Gomal Damaan Area Water Partnership; and Syed Ehtesham Ul Haque, Principal Environmental Design Engineer.
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The event also featured a “Conversation with Young Climate Activists”, moderated by Ameera Adil, climate communicator, activist, student, and entrepreneur.
Save the Children in Pakistan Khuram Gondal Country Director said, “Although the climate crisis already affects everyone on this planet, it is the lives and futures of our children and youth that will be most affected. That’s why it is so important that they are part of the solution. “
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2022.
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