Karachi: A three-member delegation of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) held discussions with senior officials of the Sindh Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Department and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on sustainable industrial development, pollution control, carbon emissions reduction, climate change initiatives and carbon credit opportunities in the province.
The delegation, comprising National Program Coordinator Badar ul Islam, Enterprise Development Advisor Qaiser Wasique and National Technical Advisor Farooque Ahmed Siddiqui, is associated with the Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Areas of Rural Sindh (PAIDARS) project.
The UNIDO team met Secretary Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Department Faisal Ahmed Uqaili and Director General SEPA Dr. Ashiq Ali Langah. The meeting focused on practical areas of collaboration among UNIDO, the provincial Environment Department and SEPA to promote cleaner production, improve environmental performance and support climate-resilient industrial development.
The participants discussed prospects for joint interventions in Thatta, Sujawal, Larkana, Tharparkar and Badin, particularly for helping industries and industrial clusters adopt cleaner and more efficient production methods.
The proposed measures included improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, preventing pollution, controlling emissions and promoting environmentally responsible technologies.
The meeting also reviewed opportunities under the Sindh carbon credit framework. The participants discussed ways to raise awareness among industries about carbon markets, emissions reduction opportunities and mechanisms through which investments in environmentally beneficial projects could generate carbon-related benefits.
The potential conversion of traditional brick kilns into cleaner production units also came under discussion.
The UNIDO delegation briefed the provincial authorities on the objectives and areas of work under the PAIDARS project, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in rural areas.
The participants stressed the need for stronger institutional coordination, technical assistance and capacity building to translate climate and environmental objectives into practical projects, particularly in rural areas where environmental protection and economic development could be pursued simultaneously.
Secretary Environment Faisal Ahmed Uqaili and Director General SEPA Dr. Ashiq Ali Langah appreciated UNIDO’s engagement and expressed willingness to explore further areas of collaboration with the organization.
Director Carbon Finance Sindh Noman Shaikh and SEPA Directors Waris Ali Gabol, Imran Sabir, Abdul Rauf Memon and Agha Gul Muhammad also attended the meeting.
