MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Speakers at the Youth Climate Resilience Workshop stressed enhanced youth engagement in climate adaptation, mitigation, and fostering innovative approaches to enhance AJK’s climate resilience.
The workshop was hosted by the Centre for Peace, Development, and Reforms (CPDR), featuring interactive discussions and expert-led sessions that enabled participants to explore and discuss solutions for tackling climate vulnerabilities in their communities.
The event was attended by over 25 civic activists, climate change experts, and media representatives. The experts highlighted the critical need to strengthen adaptive capacities among young leaders to combat the adverse effects of climate change in AJK, a region particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, glacial melting, and environmental degradation.
The event commenced with an opening address by CPDR President, Zulfiqar Abbasi, who spoke about CPDR’s previous initiatives and ongoing commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development in AJK.
He highlighted CPDR’s data-driven approach and its role in shaping environmental policies through research and advocacy.
The workshop session was conducted by Huzaifa Khan, Project Manager, CPDR, who provided an overview of climate change in AJK, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on youth and women.
He discussed the role of young people in climate governance and advocacy, encouraging them to actively engage in policymaking and community-led initiatives.
Role of judiciary in climate action
Ms. Tahira Awan, Chairperson of the Environmental Protection Committee, Supreme Court Bar AJK, spoke about the role of the judiciary in climate action, highlighting the significance of green climate judgments in ensuring environmental justice.
She stressed the need for legal frameworks to support sustainable development and protect vulnerable communities from climate-induced risks.
Ms. Tahira Kazmi, from the Youth and Volunteer Department of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and a women’s climate activist, addressed the lack of climate awareness among the general public. She emphasized the need for effective communication systems to ensure the widespread dissemination of climate knowledge, particularly among marginalized communities.
In his closing remarks, CPDR Director Irtaza Muhammad underscored CPDR’s commitment to research-driven policy advocacy.
He highlighted CPDR’s two recent reports on Climate Risk Management in AJK and the Climate Change Gender Action Plan for AJK, emphasizing their significance in shaping future climate strategies.
He further stressed the important role of youth in driving climate action and influencing policy decisions to build a more sustainable and resilient AJK.
The event reinforced the need for a collaborative, youth-centered approach to climate resilience, with participants leaving motivated to take concrete steps toward a sustainable future.
