Islamabad, Oct 7: PM’s Aide Emphasizes Climate Action and Youth’s Role in Building Sustainable Cities. Romina Khurshid Alam, the Prime Minister’s Climate Change Coordinator, emphasized the vital role that young people have in creating ecologically sustainable cities and tackling the problems posed by rising urbanization and climate change.
“Cities must integrate climate adaptation strategies into urban planning to mitigate extreme weather risks,” Alam highlighted during an event on World Habitat Day hosted at NUST. “Cities can strive for resilient smart cities and sustainable, equitable development by leveraging youth energy, creativity, and viewpoints,” she continued.
With the theme “Engaging youth to create a better urban future, focusing on engaging youth in shaping sustainable cities and communities,” the global World Habitat Day was observed on Monday.
According to Alam, 70% of the world’s carbon emissions originate from cities, with waste management, transportation, buildings, and electricity being the main contributors. She emphasized the need of cutting-edge technology, recycling, eco-friendly building materials, and climate-resilient design.
Just the building industry is responsible for 39% of the world’s carbon emissions. An essential shift is required for environmentally conscious development, Alam continued. Romina Khurshid emphasized that challenges related to poverty, inequality, and the impending threats posed by climate change must be tackled in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The advisor to the prime minister pointed out that in order to reduce the risks connected with extreme weather events, cities need to incorporate climate adaption measures into their urban planning.
She pointed out that cities may work toward fair and environmentally sustainable development by utilizing the enthusiasm, ideas, and energy of young people. This will create resilient smart cities that will eventually strive for a world free of pollution and carbon emissions.
Innovative technology, the use of eco-friendly materials, and construction methods tailored to regional conditions are some of the avenues to pursue in the pursuit of more environmentally sustainable and climate resilient architecture, according to Romina Alam.
She stated, citing studies, that two thirds of people on Earth will reside in cities by 2050. In Asia and Africa, the urban population will expand by about 90%. She clarified that the world is rapidly becoming more urbanized, with young people making up a large portion of the population, particularly in some Asian and African nations. In the global South, youth currently make up 70% or more of the cities.
She did note, though, that these problems present serious challenges to the resilient and fair development of metropolitan regions around the world. Getting the cooperation of all societal groups is essential, and young people should be especially involved in the development of inclusive and environmentally friendly cities.
The Coordinator concluded that cities may work toward more environmentally sustainable, egalitarian development, and resilient smart cities that ensure a future free of pollution and carbon emissions by utilizing the energy, creativity, and perspectives of youth.
