Breathe Pakistan: Minister Musadik Malik says Pakistan's youth can find a solution to climate change
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
The second edition of The Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by Dawn Media, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference brings together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. The first edition of Breathe Pakistan sparked national dialogue and global collaboration around vital climate challenges — from climate justice and finance to renewable energy transitions, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive public-private partnerships. View the full agenda here. 10:47am - Second session begins Today’s second session, titled “Synergies Between Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction”, has begun. 10:38am - Youth can find the solution, says climate change minister Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik. — White Star/Tanveer Shahzad Speaking further, Musadik Malik noted that about two-thirds of Pakistan’s population comprised the youth. He lauded the good education provided by several universities across Pakistan. “It is their air. They are breathing; they will find the solution,” he said, contending that the youth could find innovative solutions to climate change. “And what if they fail?” he added. The minister also floated the idea of a “green university” for conducting research in collaboration with Italian experts. 10:25am - Musadik Malik highlights impact of global emissions Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik. — White Star/Tanveer Shahzad Speaking on the impact of air pollution on life expectancy, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik highlighted that Pakistan did not even contribute 1pc to global carbon dioxide emissions. He further pointed out that 10 countries produced about 78pc of the global emissions, quipping that those facing the