Punjab govt showcases climate initiatives at COP30 with ‘Pakistan Pavilion’

BELÉM: The Punjab government has inaugurated a ‘Pakistan Pavilion’ titled “From the Indus to the Amazon” at the COP30 Climate Conference in Brazil, joining global participants who have set up their national exhibits.

Adorned in the vibrant colors of Pakistan’s national flag, the pavilion has drawn considerable attention from delegates and visitors alike. It serves as a platform to present Punjab’s recent achievements in environmental protection and climate resilience.

Large display screens feature presentations outlining the province’s climate action measures implemented over the past 18 months. In addition, documentaries showcasing Punjab’s environmental projects and sustainability initiatives are being shown throughout the event, offering attendees a closer look at the region’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change.

GLOBAL FOCUS ON CLIMATE ACTION

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) opened this week in the Brazilian city of Belém, located at the edge of the Amazon rainforest. More than 50,000 delegates from over 190 countries are attending the 11-day summit, from Monday, Nov 10, 2025 to Friday, Nov 21, 2025, which aims to address the worsening global climate crisis and its devastating impacts.

The conference agenda includes 145 meetings covering a wide range of topics, from reducing global warming and accelerating the green fuel transition to tackling deforestation and reviewing the failure to meet past climate pledges. The host nation, Brazil, has called for collective action under the theme of “mutirão”, meaning communities uniting for a common goal.

In his address to delegates, COP30 President Andre Corrêa do Lago urged countries to act decisively and collaboratively, “Either we decide to change by choice, together, or we will be imposed change by tragedy.”

DEBATES OVER RESPONSIBILITY AND FUNDING

Delegates are expected to engage in intense debates over how to fund global climate action and which nations should bear the greater share of responsibility. The long-standing principle of “common but differentiated responsibility”, established under the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, asserts that wealthier nations – responsible for most historical emissions – must lead in financing and technological support for developing countries.

Brazil, presiding over this year’s conference, has proposed the creation of a “Tropical Forests Forever Facility”, aiming to raise $25 billion in pledges and an additional $100 billion from global financial markets to protect biodiversity and reduce deforestation across tropical regions.

PAKISTAN’S MESSAGE AT THE GLOBAL STAGE

At the Pakistan Pavilion, the Punjab government is showcasing its climate adaptation and mitigation strategies as part of Pakistan’s broader contribution to global discussions. The pavilion highlights initiatives such as afforestation projects, clean energy transitions, and water conservation efforts that directly respond to the climate challenges faced by South Asia, including record-breaking heatwaves and flooding events in recent years.

Officials said the pavilion’s theme, “From the Indus to the Amazon,” reflects the shared ecological challenges faced by river-based regions across continents. It symbolizes solidarity between communities dependent on natural ecosystems – from the fertile plains of the Indus River to the vast biodiversity of the Amazon Basin.

URGENT CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Brazil’s leadership at COP30 has insisted that this year’s focus is on implementation rather than setting new goals. COP30 Chief Executive Ana Tonix stated that the summit’s purpose is to “create a roadmap for the next decade” to accelerate progress on climate promises made in past conferences, particularly the 2015 Paris Agreement.

UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell also reminded delegates that while the Paris Agreement is working “to a degree,” much faster action is needed. He warned of mounting “devastating climate damages”, from typhoons in Asia to tornadoes in Brazil, that underline the urgency for stronger global cooperation.

RISING TEMPERATURES, GROWING THREATS

Recent reports presented at the conference have underscored the alarming pace of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that the world is now heating 0.27°C per decade, nearly 50 per cent faster than in previous decades. Scientists warn that the Earth is on track to exceed the 1.5°C threshold by 2030, a tipping point beyond which irreversible environmental damage may occur.

This year alone, the world has seen record-breaking heatwaves in South Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Pakistan and India endured extreme temperatures exceeding 48°C, while Europe suffered deadly wildfires and droughts. These conditions have amplified the urgency of discussions at COP30, as nations grapple with how to finance adaptation efforts and reduce emissions before the window for meaningful action closes.