Strengthening Workforce for Climate Action Vital: Aftab Alam

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Peshawar: Aftab Alam, a leading climate change expert, on Sunday highlighted the urgent need to integrate climate change into university curricula to prepare the future workforce for environmental challenges.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the University of Swabi’s Department of Environmental Sciences and the Green Youth Movement, Alam stressed that students must be equipped to tackle climate threats such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and associated economic and social losses.

Alam, CEO of Resilient Future International, shared his experience of successfully incorporating climate change elements into the economics curriculum at a Punjab university.

He suggested that disciplines ranging from management sciences and economics to engineering, psychology, and political science should embed climate change into their programs.

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“Universities can generate in-depth knowledge on climate issues by directing student and faculty research towards adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, providing critical evidence for policymaking,” he said.

Alam also referred to the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai from November 29 to December 12, 2023, calling it a pivotal platform for securing climate finance, setting greenhouse gas reduction targets, and advancing implementation of the Paris Agreement.

He lauded Pakistan’s efforts at COP27 in Egypt last year for advocating climate justice and emphasized the importance of a favourable agreement on the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.

The seminar brought together students, academics, and environmental activists to discuss strategies for climate resilience and the role of education in fostering a generation capable of addressing the climate crisis.