ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has established a ‘Pakistan Pavilion’ at the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, to highlight climate initiatives undertaken by the province over the past one-and-a-half years, state media reported Tuesday.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz arrived in Belém last week to attend the summit, which runs from November 6 to 21. Negotiators, scientists, and civil society representatives from around the world have gathered to discuss key measures to combat climate change. COP30 focuses on limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, presenting new national action plans (NDCs), and reviewing progress on finance pledges made during COP29.
Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, has been severely affected by climate-related disasters, including floods and toxic smog. Torrential rains and floodwaters released by India in recent years affected 4.5 million people and killed over 130, particularly in the province’s agricultural heartland. Lahore, the provincial capital, frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities during winter, according to Swiss monitoring agency IQAir.
The Pakistan Pavilion, titled “From the Indus to the Amazon,” features large screens highlighting Punjab’s climate protection measures. Documentaries showcasing provincial government projects and initiatives are also being screened for summit attendees.
Maryam Nawaz is expected to brief COP30 participants on Punjab’s flagship projects and meet with global leaders to discuss climate action. She will also present the “Suthra Punjab” (Clean Punjab) initiative, the province’s largest sanitation and waste management program.
Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is among the countries worst affected by climate change. Irregular weather patterns over the years have included heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rains. Catastrophic floods in 2022 killed nearly 1,700 people, submerged a third of the country, and caused damages exceeding $30 billion.
