Private sector must give timelines to reduce plastic production and increase recycling: Sherry
ISLAMABAD (March 30, 2023): Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman has said that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model must be operationalized and private sector must present tangible plans and timelines to reduce plastic production and increase recycling in the country.
She was speaking at a policy dialogue on “Exploring the Potential of Circular Economy in Pakistan” organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs).
She said that the dialogue comes at a critical time when climate change has derailed development, intensified challenges of poverty, gender and economic growth in Pakistan. Stressing the need for transition from the linear economic model to reduce waste, increase resource and energy efficiency, she also called for engaging stakeholders and communities to catalyze the transition to circular economy and not rely on regulations and bans alone.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri urged the government to adopt innovative approaches like circular economy for mitigating challenges of economic growth, energy insecurity, inflation exacerbated by triple-C crisis.
On the occasion, Dr suleri also announced the launch of “Network on Circular Economy” to support research, policy engagement, outreach, and capacity building programmes to connect businesses, startups and SMEs, with public and private sector for a just transition to circular economy that leaves no one behind. The Network, he said, will also engage regional think tanks and other relevant organizations to promote Circular Economic Diplomacy in South Asia. He further announced that SDPI will launch “National Report on the State of Circular Economy in Pakistan”, highlighting success stories of key stakeholders and Report on “Ease of Doing Circular Economy in Pakistan”, based on gap analysis on policy landscape and facilitating private sector and industries for transition to circular economy. These reports and recommendations will be presented at COP-27 so that Pakistan might emerge as champion on circular economy, he said, adding that under capacity building, SDPI aims to launch an Accelerator Program to support green skills development and green jobs creation by facilitating public and private sector through executive training programmes.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, said that knowledge sharing, collaboration, and upskilling people along with introducing appropriate technologies are essential to strengthen transition to circular economy.
Adnan Jalil, Minister for Revenue, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that federal and provincial governments must collaborate to catalyze policy formulation on circular economy and for engaging all sectors of economy.
Knut Ostby, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme, highlighted that Pakistan with the highest volume of mismanaged waste in South Asia has significant potential for reuse and recycling, reducing input costs and developing green business model.
Adriana Zacarias, UNEP Global Coordinator, said that circular economy is pivotal to increasing economic and resource efficiency, bringing systematic change to eliminate waste by design, changing production and consumption patterns, regenerating ecosystem, biodiversity, and nature.
Dr Christopher Warner, Senior Environmental Specialist of the World Bank, stressed better pricing of resource input, stringent regulations, accelerating technology and financing progress to accelerate Pakistan’s transition to circular economy.
Charles Schneider, Program Manager, International finance Corporation (IFC) Pakistan emphasized on re-evaluating regulations on e-waste, which offers immense financing potential in addition to energy, agriculture, wastewater, construction, transport, and manufacturing.
Maria Ana, Head of Green Growth & Sustainability at the Denmark Embassy in Islamabad, highlighted the potential of collaboration between Pakistan and Denmark in recycling packaging and construction material.
Amir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz, said that telecom plays a critical role during disasters and pledged to reduce the environmental footprint of the towers and industries to net zero by 2030.
Abul Hassan Kazmi, Senior Director Supply Chain PepsiCo, called for collaboration, regulations, and technology to accelerate solutions.
Aniq Ahmed, Vice-President of Supply Chain EPCL, suggested leveraging with global leaders to bring technologies and lessons, develop long-term partnerships with suppliers and customers to strengthen circularity.
Dr Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency, Asia-Pacific, UNEP, emphasized on leveraging policy, financing, human capital and community engagement for swift transition to circular economy.
