PM Imran Khan wants developed countries to raise climate ambitions

• PM expresses concern over unrealised climate finance pledges by the developed countries.
• “Pakistan remains fully committed to play its leadership role in addressing the global challenge of climate change,” says PM Imran Khan. 
• Pakistan has replaced two planned 2,600MW coal power plants with hydropower projects, says PM. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on developed countries around the world to follow the agreements of the Paris Agreement on climate change, saying that it is important for them to ensure their climate ambitions, both for emissions reduction and increased financial flows to the developing countries.

The prime minister expressed concern over unrealised climate finance pledges by the developed countries. He suggested that initiatives such as debt-for-nature swap would create fiscal space for the developing countries for enhanced climate actions.

“In its quest to be a part of the solution, Pakistan remains fully committed to play its leadership role in addressing the global challenge of climate change through cooperative and constructive engagement,” he said while addressing the informal closed meeting of heads of state and government on climate change through a video link.

The meeting was convened jointly by the prime minister of the UK and the United Nations Secretary General on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. Twenty-five heads of state and government were invited for the leaders’ informal gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Imran Khan highlighted Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and shared that addressing its impact was a major priority of his government.

In this regard, he informed the leaders about the key national initiatives, including the success of the flagship 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project and the clean energy target of 60% by 2030.

He also highlighted that Pakistan had replaced two planned 2,600MW coal power plants with hydropower projects as part of its efforts towards climate-sensitive economic growth and development.

The objective of the meeting was to deliver a shared political understanding and vision on what needs to be delivered in the lead-up to and at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference (COP-26) in Glasgow, to be held in November 2021.