Daily Times

President Xi Jinping in his address at UN summit on biodiversity highlighted the importance of slogan “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth” for COP-15. He advocated for the urgent actions, which must be devised by keeping nature at heart and looking harmony between human and nature. He emphasized that beautiful nature is essential for beautiful life. The biodiversity, which is on losing end, must be prioritized in national and global planning and execution of plans. He put forwarded four proposals, to achieve the goal of eco-civilization and the beautiful world.

First, world need to adhere to eco-civilization, as it will provide basis for the beautiful world on sustainable basis. He was point of view that industrial civilization, no doubt created huge wealth but it also impacted the biodiversity and created problems of environmental degradation and climate change. Second, he asked to stick to multilateralism, as it will provide footing to fight the challenges. There is need to cooperate, as problems are huge and no country can fight it alone, more specifically, no country has resources to fight it alone. Convention on Biodiversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement provides us ground to collaborate and combat the challenges unitedly. He reiterated the importance of UN and its centrality for future.

Third, green development should be promoted. We need to work on it, especially in post-COVID-19 era. He said that “our solutions are in nature”. We have to balance the development in such a manner that nature and development moves hand in hand. Fourth, he reiterated that there is need to take strong actions. World should move from just talking and focus on actions but the principle of differentiated responsibility must be applied. As, every country has different resources and capabilities, so the responsibility should be assigned according to these indicators. He also highlighted the actions being taken by China, especially in the field of forestation and efforts to transform the economy. He also ensured world that China will take all necessary actions to combat the challenges of environment, biodiversity and climate change in a holistic manner.

Pakistan can start the process by declaring a certain area in every SEZ as green industrial area and provide required infrastructure for green development

This is not first time that President Xi advocated for the econ-civilization, green development and multilateral cooperation to achieve the goal of prosper and peaceful world. China has started to work from the start of the 21st century but it has accelerated the process after the President Xi becoming the Secretary General and President. He started his journey as President by presenting a clear vision for environment and green development by saying “We will never again seek economic growth at cost of the environment”.China is backing advocacy by practical actions. For example, it has launched multiple initiative for green development and protection of environment after the launch of Belt and Road Initiative. The list of initiatives includes Green Development Coalition, Silk Route Environment Program, Green Silk Road Envoy program, Green Investment Fund and Green Investment Principles along others. The programs cover wide range of areas work which include real time investments, capacity building and facilitation.

It is heartening to know that Pakistan is member of all initiatives being the iron brother and host of flagship project of BRI, the CPEC. It provides a unique opportunity to Pakistan to make CPEC a pilot project of Eco-civilization and the vision of prosperity and better living. Although Pakistan and China have taken some initiatives for green development like renewable energy projects and eco-tourism but both countries can turn CPEC into pilot project of eco-civilization. Fort that purpose, they need to redesign or design new initiatives in accordance with principles of eco-civilization, which emphasize on resource efficiency, environmental considerations and prioritization and prosperity for everyone without any discrimination.

First, both countries can work together to make agriculture cooperation environment friendly and climate smart. They should work on creating new breeds of animals which emit less methane. The other area of work would be to look for varieties of rice which minimize the GHG emission. Agricultural practices should be introduced which minimize the use of chemical inputs like fertilizers or pesticides etc. Pakistan can learn it from its experience of Green Revolution. The energy for different practices can be generated from renewable sources like solar pumps or solar engines for other machinery. It is good to note that both countries are already working on these dimension, especially minimum use of chemicals and enhanced use of renewable energy sources. By enhancing efforts both countries can turn it into a model for other countries.

Second, Pakistan and China are going to start the implementation of ML-1. It provides a good opportunity to experiment the principles of eco-civilization on transport infrastructure projects. Both countries can promote green industry for the provision of raw material for ML-1. They can venture in the area of renewable energy for machinery, where it is possible, which will be engaged in construction work. The land use strategy can also be developed on the basis of the principles of eco-civilization.

Third, both countries can also look into to convert Orange tarin in Lahore on renewable energy sources. Solar energy can be tested, if possible. We are cognizant of the fact that the required investment would be huge, but in long run Pakistan can look into this option. Both countries should also look for new initiatives which can help to reduce individual car use and promote mass transport system based on the principle of eco-civilization and run by renewable energy. The idea can be tested in Balochistan, where both countries are working to develop mass transport infrastructure.

Fourth, green skills must be promoted through the cooperation and efforts should be made to provide green skills. It is good to note that China is already working with Pakistan under the social development cooperation, for skill development on mass scale. However, the focus is on traditional job skills. Hence, it is suggested that both countries should also introduce green skills in addition to traditional skill development. Green skills will play a key role to introduce green industry,especially the renewable energy sector and green jobs in Pakistan in long run. It will also promote renewable industry in future, as Pakistan will have the base of required skills. The skills can also be imparted for agriculture sector to promote environment friendly and climate smart practices.

Fifth, Special Economic Zones can be used to promote the green development. For that purpose, both countries will have to offer special incentives for green industry. Pakistan can start the process by declaring a certain area in every SEZ as green industrial area and provide required infrastructure for green development. By doing so, good examples can be created and it can also inspire other industrialists and the investors to follow the suit.

Lastly, these initiatives will not only create good case study for the other countries but it will also help to mitigate the propaganda. As, we know China, BRI and CPEC are being criticized on the basis of environment, which is quite unfair. By adopting these practices in CPEC, both countries can counter the propaganda and portray real image of the China, BRI and CPEC, which is quite positive.

The writer is Director, Asia Study Center SDPI