The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U.K.) Boris Johnson salutes Prime Minister Imran Khan for environmental leadership efforts to combat climate change by committing to plant 10 billion trees
Boris Johnson said, “I salute what Prime Minister Imran Khan is doing to replant mangroves which are vital for hovering up co2. We can plant 10 billion trees in the U.K but we promise we will help you whatever we can to tackle climate change and to reduce our emissions.”
British High Commissioner Christian Turner said that United Kingdom and Pakistan will be saath sath to build back greener from COVID and tackle climate change.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose message was read out by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, commended the strides made by Pakistan to cope with climate change. Xi Jinping said his country stands ready to work with Pakistan and other countries to inject new impetus into global environmental governance and contribute to a clean and beautiful world.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the rich countries to provide funds to developing countries like Pakistan to fight global warming and improve the ecosystem.
Imran Khan was addressing the main ceremony of International Environment Day in Islamabad. The Prime Minister commended the UN for repeatedly asking the developed world to fulfill its responsibility and support those countries which are working for the protection of environment.
Imran Khan said the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an opportunity for the world to do the course correction and work towards meeting the carbon emission cut targets. The Prime Minister pointed out that Pakistan’s carbon emission share is miniscule, yet it decided to take initiatives to offset the impact of global warming.
Imran Khan said one billion trees were planted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a period of five years from 2013 to 2018. He said another one billion trees have also been planted in different parts of the country under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister urged the nation to become part of the mega forestation program to make it a success story which will have positive impact not only on the lives of the people but also the country and its economy. He said greater responsibility rests with the teachers to educate the children about the importance of plantation.
He said local communities will be involved for the protection of forests. He said the back of timber mafia has been broken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the help of forest guards which helped increase the forest cover in the province. The Prime Minister said Recharge Pakistan is also being initiated with the purpose to restore wetlands and improve the water table.
Imran Khan said 15 national parks have been established which will also help promote tourism. He said by 2030, we will be producing sixty percent energy from renewable sources while 30 per cent of all vehicles would be transferred to electricity as part of efforts to limit emissions.
The Prime Minister said it is a matter of distinction for Pakistan to host the World Environment Day. This, he said, is also acknowledgement of the steps taken by Pakistan for protection of environment.
Virtually delivering his message, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan for undertaking a mega project of planting ten billion trees. He said it is a huge campaign for forestation.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said these next ten years are our final chance to avert a climate catastrophe, turn back the deadly tide of pollution and end species loss. He said we should finally make peace with nature and secure a better future for all.
Executive Director UNEP at UN Under-Secretary-General Inger Andersen tweeted:
Special Assistant for Climate Change Malik Amin said that international community hailed the steps taken by Pakistan against the environmental pollution.
Talking to a news channel, he said collective efforts were needed to address the environmental issues at global level.
Replying to a question, he said Pakistan had launched the “Billion Tree Tsunami” project in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province to restore its forests and to fight the global warming effects.
Amin Aslam also appreciated the role of youth, especially the students for successfully launching Green Pakistan project across the country.
