The "COP in My City 2024" conference took place at Government College University (GCU) Lahore on Monday, drawing a diverse group of young leaders dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

“Overcoming climate challenges in Pakistan requires the economic, political, and social inclusion of women,” said Mr. Fahad Shahbaz, Coordinator for the Prime Minister's Youth Programme in Punjab, while addressing the event. The conference, organized by Youth4Climate Pakistan in collaboration with UNICEF, UNWOMEN and Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, sought to prepare participants for the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and to amplify youth voices in global climate discussions.

During his speech chief guest, Mr. Huang Pei, Chairman Agriculture Branch, Pak-China joint Chamber of commerce and industry, highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change on Pakistan’s agriculture, noting that losses from crops and livestock alone exceed $30 billion.

Notable speakers included Ms. Maleeha, WASH Specialist at UNICEF; Ms. Sidra Humayun, Program Coordinator UNWOMEN; Mr. Rafay Alam, a renowned environmental lawyer and activist and Ms. Saba Asghar Ali, Chief Environmentalist from P&D Board Punjab.

GCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, remarked that Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. “These challenges are not just environmental; they threaten our economy, health, and future.” She emphasized the need for societal improvements by granting equal opportunities to women, adding that around 50% of GCU’s student body is female and in the upcoming years it will cross this figure.

Three parallel breakout sessions on decarbonization, loss and damages and climate finance were held to shortlist students. These sessions focused on the climate responsibility divide between the Global North and South. Decarbonization session was moderated by Mr. Ayaz Uddin and Professor Dr. Faiza Sharif, Director of GCU's Sustainable Development Study Center. Dr. Sharif stressed the importance of focusing on education and capacity-building in the Global South. Mr. Ayaz Uddin pointed out the disproportionate impact of climate change on countries like Pakistan, calling for increased funding for climate initiatives and how businesses can shift to cleaner technologies to achieve netzero target by 2050.

Students actively participated in the discussions, suggesting solutions such as integrating decarbonization topics into school curricula, organizing regular seminars, and transitioning industries to green energy sources. They also advocated for the use of wind and solar power for electricity generation in Pakistan and called for greater cooperation between the government, industry and society.

In her remarks to the media, Professor Dr. Faiza Sharif noted that one of the key takeaways from the youth discussions was the importance of utilizing social media to raise awareness and mobilize action on climate issues.

The day-long conference covered critical topics including climate finance, loss and damage, mitigation strategies, and enhancing adaptation measures. Sessions on Just Transition and Decarbonization emphasized the urgency of reducing carbon emissions.