The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has reiterated its dedication to addressing climate change through sustainable initiatives by actively participating in the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference.

The event, hosted by DawnMedia in Islamabad from Feb 6–7, was attended by the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur. He underscored the province’s commitment to green policies and environmental resilience.

The conference aimed to foster awareness, advocacy, and collaborative solutions by bringing together the public and private sectors, government institutions and global climate experts. Serving as a critical platform for discussions on Pakistan’s climate challenges and the path forward, the conference also included experts from the Ministry of Climate Change and the strategic partner for the conference, the Punjab government.

“DawnMedia’s Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference is a laudable initiative to bring together leaders, experts and innovators from across the world with the aim to identify the challenges posed by climate change and to chalk out future courses of action to efficiently deal with those challenges. I hope the best of the best will come out of the conference,” said the KP CM.

“The provincial government attaches utmost importance to climate change, environment and remarks very high in its priority areas. Keeping in view the seriousness of the subject, the provincial government of KP is making coordinated efforts under a well devised and comprehensive strategy to mitigate the risks of climate change. In this regard, the globally recognised Billion Tree Afforestation Project of the provincial government has increased the forest cover of the province to 26.7 per cent of the total area,” he continued.

Gandapur also mentioned that some of the important measures of the KP government’s green energy initiatives are hydel power generation and solarisation of mosques, educational institutions, health service delivery outlets, government buildings and households.

He highlighted additional upcoming projects, saying, “Our provincial government is committed to advancing sustainable practices, such as shifting brick kilns to zigzag technology, formulating an electric vehicle policy, setting up air quality monitoring stations at all divisional headquarters, introducing a mechanical mining system, installing a smoke emission monitoring system in industrial units and digitising vehicle fitness certificates.”

Emphasising the province’s dedication to environmental reforms, the chief minister remarked, “We have recently finalised an action plan to improve the air quality index in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is reinforced by the constitution of a high-powered task force to ensure the plan’s effective implementation in letter and spirit.”

DawnMedia’s latest initiative, Breathe Pakistan, raised awareness and encouraged climate resilience and adaptation at all levels of the country. The two-day event, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, was divided into 15 dynamic sessions with more than 90 speakers from 11 countries. Moreover, a host of climate change experts from the conference’s principal partner, the United Nations, as well as from South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka were present.

Taking steps for a greener KP

According to the KP government, climate change poses critical and significant challenges to the province’s ecosystems, leading to glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and vector borne diseases, which are expected to become more common in the coming decades.

KP has effectively implemented its provincial climate change policy, ensuring consistency with the updated national framework. It emphasises the province’s vulnerability to climate change and how to take proactive awareness such as adaptation and mitigation in the relevant sectors. It also focuses on climate change awareness in the province.

Additionally, it provides a roadmap through a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan which aims at reducing the devastating effects of the nature induced calamities in the province through consolidated efforts of all the relevant departments, organisations and stakeholders of Pakistan. Through strategic initiatives and determination, KP is emerging as a leader in climate action, actively protecting the environment and strengthening communities for a sustainable future.

This content is produced in paid partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government - a partner of DawnMedia’s Breathe Pakistan initiative.