Experts at the 2nd International Climate Conference urged cities to embrace green infrastructure, sustainable transport, and resilient planning to confront an accelerating climate crisis
By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (CCES) brought together experts to discuss pressing issues such as climate resilience policies and climate change adaptation.
On Thursday, the two-day conference, organized by Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development, Khairpur, was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Sukkur Abid Saleem Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Professor Dr Muhammad Yousif Khushk, and Professor Dr Rasool Bux Mahar.
Experts emphasized the need for comprehensive approaches to tackle climate change, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable land use, and implementing climate-resilient infrastructure. The conference highlighted the importance of designing climate-resilient cities and communities, incorporating green infrastructure, and promoting sustainable transportation systems.
Discussions also focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and industries, promoting energy-efficient designs, and implementing sustainable materials and technologies. Experts stressed the importance of effective governance, international cooperation, and climate finance to support climate action, particularly in vulnerable communities.
They discussed voluntary systems to help countries scale up climate action and access funding, as well as the frameworks of the Paris and Kyoto agreements. The conference called for increased investment in climate resilience and adaptation projects, including renewable energy and energy storage initiatives. Experts urged collective action to address the climate crisis, advocating for more ambitious climate policies, greater financial support, and stronger international collaboration.
Participants included Syed Asad Ali Shah Jillani, former advisor on finance to the Government of Sindh; Professor Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar; Professor Zeynep Ceylan from Ataturk University, Turkey; Professor Dr Khairur Rijal from UTM, Malaysia; Dr Quang Ha from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia; and Professor Dr Naveed Ahmed Shaikh.
They recommended strengthening climate-resilient agriculture through climate-smart practices, farmer field schools, drought- and flood-tolerant crops, improving water governance and integrated water resource management, enhancing coastal protection through mangroves and bio-shields, investing in climate-smart livestock and rangeland systems.
They added that expanding early warning systems and disaster risk reduction capacities at the community level, promoting green infrastructure in urban centers, and reinforcing health sector preparedness for heatwaves and vector-borne diseases. They also stressed the need to develop district-level climate adaptation plans, mobilize climate finance and green funding for local initiatives, and invest in youth- and women-led climate resilience programs.
