'Developing states bearing brunt of climate change'

Climate change has become increasingly important in recent years and requires innovative solutions to reduce its adverse impacts. Industrialised countries are primary responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and developing countries are heavily bearing the brunt of climate change. This was stated by speakers during the annual Green Office Network Meeting 2016 organized by WWF-Pakistan.
The aim of the meeting was to share Eco Innovation in Products and Technologies with the corporate sector. The event aimed at making people aware about sustainable consumption of resources and options for reducing impact on the environment through reusing, recycling and renewable energy sources.
Speaking on the occasion, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan said that eco-innovation represents a chance for companies to save costs and expand to new markets, and that implementation of resource saving eco-innovations at the company level can contribute to greater structural shifts towards sustainability. 'Through our actions, we should leave a living, healthy Pakistan for our future generations,' he added. Naeem Mughal, Director General, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency said that it is high time to promote green growth and sustainable development in Pakistan. He shared that there was no planning to take advantage of different types of waste which could be utilised as a good resource of energy, as examples in other countries show.
Imran Sabir, Deputy Director Technical, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency said that lightweight and durability, two most important properties of plastics, makes it a serious environmental hazard. He added that most commercial plastics have thermal stabilizers, unreacted monomers, ultra-violet stabilizers, plasticizers, flame retardants, reinforcing additives and colourants which leach out into the environmental. These additives are known to have a negative effect on human and animal health. 'Humans exposed to chemicals that release monomer upon burning from plastics may cause cancer, brain and liver diseases, birth defects, pregnancy complications, diabetes and metal poisoning', he added.
Sessions were held by experts in which environmental friendly products and technologies were shared. Ali Habib, CEO Himaverte shed light on recycled paper, followed by Nazifa Butt, Manager Green Office WWF-Pakistan, who shared that now there are 59 Green Offices in Pakistan working with the Organisation to reduce their footprint and have reduced 1833 metric tons of carbon emissions in 2015-2016. Hakoon Valstad, CEO from Brighterlight talked about the provision of green energy to off grid areas. Jawad Khan from Tetra Pak Pakistan, who talked about the current recycling of used tetra pak cartons in Pakistan and products made out of them. Award for Eco-innovation was given to Archroma Pakistan Limited, Engro Fertilizers and Corporation Limited and Sapphire Finishing Mills Limited for taking outstanding steps towards environmental sustainability. -PR