Denmark committed to strengthening Pakistan’s climate resilience: Jacob Linulf

ISLAMABAD: Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf on Monday emphasized Denmark’s collaborative efforts with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) to create a favorable environment for climate action in Pakistan. Speaking at a policy dialogue hosted by SDPI and the Embassy of Denmark, he expressed pride in supporting Pakistan’s endeavors to attract foreign investments for addressing climate change challenges.

The event, titled “Post COP Dialogue: Operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – The Road from Baku to Belem,” brought together stakeholders to discuss pathways for implementing carbon trading mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. Ambassador Linulf highlighted the mutual efforts of Denmark and Pakistan to build climate-resilient societies, guided by United Nations frameworks and the outcomes of COP conferences.

Ambassador Linulf underlined that climate change mitigation depends on proactive individual and collective efforts, including waste management, renewable energy adoption, and carbon emissions trading. He emphasized that fostering a long-term conducive environment is key to attracting foreign direct investments for climate action in Pakistan.

Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, SDPI’s Executive Director, called for transparency and robust monitoring mechanisms in carbon markets. He advocated for the establishment of independent accreditation bodies and alignment with international frameworks like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Dr. Suleri also proposed leveraging carbon credits from renewable energy and clean cooking initiatives to secure funding for climate adaptation.

Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, called for international support to help developing nations fully utilize new carbon markets, urging developed countries to fulfill their financial and technical commitments. Highlighting Pakistan’s readiness to implement the COP 29 carbon guidelines with integrity and transparency, she termed their approval a landmark in global climate cooperation.

Zulfiqar Younas from the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) announced the upcoming launch of Pakistan’s first customized carbon registry in February. This initiative aims to facilitate transparent carbon credit trading and enable Pakistan to access international carbon finance markets effectively.

The dialogue also highlighted Pakistan’s progress in implementing COP29 outcomes, including the €20 million SPAR6C initiative funded by Germany. This program supports green energy, transportation, forestry, and waste management projects. Provincial governments are collaborating on 13 project ideas, reflecting the country’s commitment to operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Shafqat Munir, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI, underscored the significance of Pakistan’s readiness to benefit from international carbon trading mechanisms. He cautioned about the implications of emerging climate finance instruments and reiterated the need for collective action to achieve sustainable climate goals.