LAHORE: Speakers at a ceremony stressed the need for sustained dialogue between the public and private sectors to address global warming and reduce carbon emissions, highlighting the role of both sectors in climate services and the urgency of concrete action plans to safeguard the planet for future generations.
These views were shared at an event hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to launch the 18th annual report of the Shahid Javed Burki Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) at NetSol in Lahore.
Titled “The State of the Economy: Climate Change — Mediating Chaos and Crisis”, the ceremony brought together economists, academics, policymakers, members of the business community, environmentalists and civil society representatives to discuss the growing economic and governance challenges posed by climate change in Pakistan.
BIPP Chairman Shahid Javed Burki presented an overview of the annual report, stressing that climate change has emerged as a systemic risk with far-reaching economic, social and governance implications for the country.
Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted the impact of rising global temperatures on Pakistan, including melting glaciers and increasing water scarcity. They said the report’s recommendations included recognising climate change as a scientific consensus, integrating the 1.5-degree Celsius target into national policy, and prioritising mitigation and adaptation strategies.
They also underscored the importance of climate-smart agriculture and soil health, noting agriculture’s critical role in Pakistan’s economy and the need to improve soil quality through sustainable practices.
Speakers discussed the economic challenges facing Pakistan, including the impact of climate change on GDP growth, and called for the adoption of sustainable development policies. They emphasised the need for sustained political commitment and global coordination, as well as the integration of climate resilience into economic planning.
Participants also highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate impacts and the urgent need for climate finance to address these challenges. The discussion touched on the role of policymakers, governance reforms, and the importance of education and population management in tackling climate change and supporting economic development.
Former Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi executive director Dr Farrukh Iqbal provided an overview of the state of the economy, while BIPP research fellow Firas Shams outlined the report’s policy issues and recommendations, focusing on climate-resilient growth, governance reforms, social protection and adaptation measures to mitigate climate-induced economic shocks.
The session also featured remarks by Dr Arifa Tahir, chairperson of Environmental Sciences at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), and Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin, chairman of KITAAS.
In his address, the chief guest, Mr Hussain, stressed the urgency of treating climate change as a central economic challenge and highlighted the role of research institutions, academia and the private sector in supporting informed and sustainable policymaking.
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