Daily Times

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in collaboration with the German Red Cross organised the climate change competition ‘CLIMATON: Y-Accelerator Challenge’ to promote green business ideas.

A total of 16 teams from eight prestigious universities took part in the competition. The first and second position of the competition was secured by National University of Science and Technology (NUST) while the third position was secured by team from Fatima Jinnah University. The event was held at Fatima Jinnah Auditorium of the PRCS National Headquarters here.

The Y-Accelerator challenge is a premier start-up competition that put selected pitches in front of climate change experts. The contesting teams presented 3-5 minute pitches in front of the jury comprising experts on climate change like Anum Zaib, Sobia Fasih, Sarmad Iqbal, Didar Nabi, Dr Sofia and Dr Gulfam. The event brought together investors, founders, and start-up enthusiasts to witness visionaries pitch their ideas.

Speaking at the occasion, PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed said the Climate Change Adaptation Programme is one of the prestigious endeavours aimed at building capacity of not only people at the grassroots level but also the government of Pakistan. “PRCS being the front-liner in responding to emergencies and disasters with the assistance of its international partners has already taken up the initiative to launch climate smart disaster management to ensure effective adaptation. A few achievements of the project include formulating climate change dashboard, coordination, climate smart DRR tools, and climate education along with nationwide campaign and capacity enhancement program for the grassroots communities, young professionals and policy makers,” he added.

“The Y-Accelerator challenge gives young people the chance to develop business ideas that tackle climate change. This event has brought together investors, founders, and start-up enthusiasts to watch visionaries pitch their ideas and based on the relevance of the selected ideas, the PRCS will assist entrepreneurs to link up with the industry to promote, sustain and scale up the ideas,” the secretary general said.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Climate Change Adaptation German Red Cross Hans J Hausmann said the Climate Change Program aims at breaking the vicious cycle of disaster vulnerability, ignorance, low ability and poverty. He said the Y-Accelerator Challenge is based on a concept of pitch model where aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with sustainable green business ideas will benefit.

Program Manager Climate Change Adaptation Program Shahid Kazmi thanked all the participants, the participating teams and the jury.

At the end, the secretary general awarded prize cheques among the winners. The first prize of Rs 70,000 was given to Ameera Adil, the first runner-up prize amounting Rs 50,000 was awarded to Ausma Farooq and the 2nd runner-up prize of Rs 30,000 was given to Kainat Rao.

Shields were awarded to the members of Climathon jury and certificates were distributed among the participating teams.

The event was attended by climate change experts, PRCS officials, volunteers, students, teachers and people from different walks of life.