To address environmental challenges and strengthening the regulatory framework, sustainable manufacturing practices are encouraged by the present Government, said Romina Khurshid Alam, climate aide of PM Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing as keynote speaker at the event ‘Advancing Green Industrialization Agenda in Pakistan’ held here on Wednesday. The event was organised by the UN Trade and Development Geneva SPRC in collaboration with various stakeholders to discuss policy measures and enabling environment to push forward robust green industrialization for building climate resilience through carbon-neutral policies and programmes.

Coordinator to PM on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said, “There is a dire need to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Plastics industry in the country, provides employment to over 1.2 million people, and accounts for 15% of the national GDP, plays a central role in this transformation is facing significant challenges regarding regulatory compliance and environmental degradation”. She said that a robust regulatory framework and enhanced recycling practices, supporting a circular economy are needed.

The role of Federal and provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) is crucial in this concern. The development of the Green Industrialization Policy Framework under the UNCTAD & SPRC Green Industrialization Project is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s efforts to tackle these challenges. Ms. Alam said that the Ministry of Climate Change, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders across Pakistan is working to finalize and implement the Green Industrialization Policy Framework at both the national and provincial levels.

In addition to regulatory measures, the State Bank of Pakistan is advancing its Green Taxonomy initiative, designed to mobilize green finance for sustainable manufacturing practices. “The shift toward green industrialization is essential for achieving Pakistan’s climate and development goals. The adoption of lean, green, and globally competitive industrial practices is vital for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and for achieving our target of net-zero emissions by 2050,” highlighted the PM's climate aide.

As part of its commitment to sustainable industrialization, the Ministry of Climate Change is organizing a Policy Roundtable to bring together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society. The roundtable aims to further discussions on green industrialization and to institutionalize the Green Industrialization Policy Framework as a national strategy for sustainable economic growth, Romina Khurshid Alam remarked.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)