Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has emphasized the urgent need for new policies and collaborative efforts to confront the escalating threats posed by climate change, warning that reliance on outdated strategies could jeopardize the country’s very survival.
He shared these remarks as the chief guest at the three-day Third National Workshop on UI Green Metric World University Rankings held at Grand Asian University Sialkot (GAUS).
The governor noted that Pakistan is among the top five countries most severely impacted by climate change, despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions. “Our share is negligible, but our losses are alarmingly high,” he stated.
Underscoring the importance of national and international dialogue, Governor Haider called for a clear roadmap toward climate resilience. “Government institutions, academia, and the public must collectively rise to this challenge. Persisting with 20-year-old thinking will endanger our survival,” he cautioned.
Highlighting education’s critical role, he stressed that integrating climate change into academic curricula has become essential. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which address not only climate change but also poverty alleviation.
The governor further revealed that all universities in Punjab have been directed to launch climate change programs. Several institutions have already introduced BS and MS-level courses, while efforts are underway to expand them across all universities.
Commending the initiative, he praised the UI Green Metric World University Rankings for fostering environmentally sustainable practices and contributing to global climate action.
