Private Sector Updated On Reducing Emissions From Deforestation And Forest Degradation

Pakistan For The Private Sector’s Orientation And Engagement On Reducing Emissions From Deforestation And Forest Degradation

A one-day session was organized by the Ministry of Climate Change, IUCN Pakistan and EMC Pakistan for the Private Sector’s orientation and engagement on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+). Mr. Abdul Rehman Naqi, Senior Vice President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries was the chief guest of the event. The purpose of this session is to orientate the private sector on the importance of REDD+ and investments in forests which is becoming more rewarding. A large number of representatives of the Private Sector entities, government officials, IUCN and EMC staff members attended the event.

In this remarks Mr. Abdul Rehman Naqi said that Pakistan is already aware of the climate change impacts, given the floods we witnessed in recent years as well as the heat waves. He was of the view that there is an urgent need to focus also on environment because environment and nature provide businesses with the resources they need to operate. While advocating the development he opined that it should not take place at the cost of our environment and the future of our forthcoming generations. He said that deforestation and forest degradation are the biggest threats to forests worldwide.

He suggested that private sector is a source of implementation, innovation and investment and is a key REDD+ stakeholder – and must be taken on board in driving forward green initiatives and emphasized on broadening the private sector engagement to slow, halt and reverse forest loss. He further said that in Pakistan, private sector has started focusing on environment under their CSR. Earlier they used to focus on health and education mostly. He encouraged Private sector to invest in the efficient systems that can help in making their systems environmental friendly.

International experts from TEREA, that focuses on engaging private sector on carbon credits related processes, explained the mechanisms of REDD+ and how companies could be engaged further to benefit from these concepts. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema informed the participants that IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, and one that is science based, policy-focused and membership driven, IUCN is uniquely placed to address environmental challenges and bring together a wide range of stakeholders on issues of mutual interest on neutral ground. He said that the REDD+ Awareness project at IUCN focuses on creating general awareness and knowledge of REDD+. Under the project, IUCN has organized trainings and workshops and produced awareness material with the sole intention of helping streamline REDD+ understanding in Pakistan, for stakeholders.

Mr. Ghulam Qadir Shah, National Coordinator REDD+, noted that the private sector “is a critical stakeholder in REDD+ and many different types of businesses can create and sell carbon credits by reducing, capturing, and storing emissions through different processes. He added that “the private sector is a source of implementation, innovation and investment and engagement must be broadened to slow, halt and reverse forest loss.”

Mr. Riaz Ahmed Wagan, Chief Conservator Forests, Sindh Forest Department, highlighted the achievements of the Sindh Forest Department in terms of mangroves plantations spreading over thousands of hectares along Sindh coast. He added that these were major carbon sinks and held potential value for carbon credits. The presentations were followed by an interactive session with audience and a vote of thanks presented by Syed Nadeem Arif, CEO, EMC Pakistan.