Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Ambassador Jakob Linulf of Denmark underscored the significance of carbon markets as a pivotal opportunity for Pakistan to bolster its economic landscape while curbing carbon emissions, fostering sustainable development, and embracing environmentally friendly practices. His remarks came during a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists on “Climate-Smart Reporting: Carbon Market and Equitable Development,” jointly organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Embassy of Denmark.
Ambassador Linulf stressed the global imperative of addressing climate change, highlighting its adverse impacts on humanity and biodiversity. Drawing from Denmark’s experience, he emphasized the successful completion of Denmark’s green transition, transforming its energy sector from fossil fuel dependence to a greener mix encompassing solar, wind, and biomass.
Collaborating with the SDPI, the Danish Embassy aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, leveraging Danish expertise in climate change mitigation technologies to assist Pakistani counterparts. Noting Pakistan’s dual challenges of economic crisis and climate change, Ambassador Linulf advocated for the strategic adoption of carbon markets to effectively reduce emissions and mitigate climate change risks.
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, reiterated the workshop’s objective to bridge knowledge gaps, integrate international best practices, and chart a collaborative path forward. He emphasized the role of journalists in shaping public opinion and guiding policymakers toward adopting efficient carbon market mechanisms.
Soren Lutken, Chief Carbon Market Specialist at UNEP Copenhagen, cautioned that while carbon markets offer solutions, they alone are not sufficient to address the climate crisis. He urged Pakistan to develop a clear policy framework to seize opportunities in compliance with carbon markets, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in carbon credit trading.
Nadeem Nawaz, Special Advisor and Country Manager at the Danish Energy Agency and Global Cooperation presented long-term energy planning strategies for Pakistan towards 2050, emphasizing the need for a credible roadmap to attract investors in carbon credits trading.
The workshop featured presentations by Dr. Khalid Waleed, Senior Economist and Energy Expert at SDPI, and Tahir Dhindsa of SDTV, focusing on the linkage between carbon markets, the economy, and the media’s role in creating awareness.
Engineer Ubaid-Ur-Rehman and research associates Saleha Qureshi and Zainab Naeem facilitated group activities and presentations on various aspects of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and carbon markets.
At the end, Executive Director Dr. Abid Suleri distributed certificates to participants, highlighting the workshop’s commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange for sustainable development.