COMSATS celebrates Earth Day 2024 with MoCC&EC

COMSATS and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan joined hands to celebrate Earth Day 2024 under the theme “Planet versus Plastic”.

In a resounding affirmation of their commitment to environmental sustainability, the Commission for Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) of Pakistan have joined hands to celebrate Earth Day 2024 under the theme “Planet versus plastic”.

The Earth Day 2024 event, held at the COMSATS Secretariat in Islamabad, witnessed the inauguration of Pakistan’s National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) as part of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) orchestrated by the World Economic Forum.

Her Excellency Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change and Environment Conservation (CC&EC), celebrated the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dignitaries, including ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomats from COMSATS member states, gathered to underline the urgent need for coordinated action against plastic pollution, which poses a serious threat to both humanity and the environment.

Ms Romina highlighted the progress Pakistan has made in tackling plastic pollution, including the ban on single-use plastics and polyethylene bags introduced in 2019. She emphasized the importance of global cooperation in combating this threat and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation through various government agencies. policies and initiatives.

Ambassador Dr. Nafees Zakaria, in his opening speech, emphasized the need for a coherent global strategy to combat plastic waste. He underscored the challenges of implementing legislation amid resistance from vested interests, while also shedding light on other man-made hazards that are exacerbating climate change and environmental degradation.

The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Khazar Farhadov, during his speech, expressed optimism about the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan, seeing it as a catalyst for renewed climate action and international cooperation. He emphasized the need for collective action among stakeholders to achieve meaningful results in the fight against climate change.

The event marked the unveiling of the NPAP Roadmap for Plastic Action in Pakistan, aimed at promoting innovative initiatives and multi-stakeholder partnerships to shape a circular plastic economy. Furthermore, the launch of the joint electric vehicle (EV) project COMSATS and AGECO marked a significant step towards promoting zero-emission transportation in Pakistan.

The initiative underscored COMSATS’s continued commitment to climate action and environmental conservation, working toward a sustainable future characterized by resilience and mitigation efforts.

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, initiatives like the NPAP and the COMSATS-AGECO EV project serve as beacons of hope and inspire collective action towards a greener and more sustainable future.