United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to address what he described as two interconnected global crises: climate change and energy insecurity. 

Speaking at London Climate Action Week, the UN Chief warned that continued dependence on fossil fuels is driving both rising temperatures and growing energy vulnerabilities, while underscoring that renewable energy offers a pathway to greater energy security, affordability and resilience. 

“The verdict is in: energy independence cannot be built on fossil fuel dependence,” the Secretary-General said, highlighting that renewable energy is now the cheapest source of new electricity in most parts of the world and a cornerstone of long-term energy security. 

Warning that climate impacts are already disrupting lives, livelihoods and economies around the world, the Secretary-General stressed that accelerating the transition to clean energy is essential to building a more secure, resilient and sustainable future. This message is particularly relevant for Sri Lanka, which is already experiencing the effects of climate change through more frequent floods, droughts and extreme weather events. 

The Secretary-General also announced a global Call to Action on Methane, focused on accelerating emissions reductions across the fossil fuel, agriculture and waste sectors. Methane is responsible for around one-third of global warming, making it one of the fastest opportunities to slow climate change while delivering benefits for public health, food security and sustainable development. 

He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, noting that while AI can help advance climate solutions, the systems that power it consume significant amounts of energy, water and land. The Secretary-General proposed an AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, calling on major AI companies to disclose the environmental footprint of their systems and transition data centres to renewable energy by 2030. 

Responding to the rising threat of climate change, Sri Lanka has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20.09 per cent by 2035 through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). The country also aims to generate 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, expand forest cover and reduce emissions from the waste sector through improved recycling and waste management. The transition also presents significant opportunities for Sri Lanka. 

Commenting on the Secretary-General’s address, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche noted how recent global events have highlighted how vulnerable countries can be to disruptions in international energy markets: “Accelerating the shift to renewable energy is not only a climate imperative; it is also an investment in Sri Lanka’s energy security, economic resilience and long-term fiscal stability. With the right investments and partnerships, the transition can create jobs, strengthen communities, while mitigating the impacts of climate change”. (UN Sri Lanka)

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India on Friday confirmed it has withdrawn its bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028, but the reasons behind the surprise decision remain unclear, with the government offering only a broad explanation so far.

“Yes, India has withdrawn. We have taken several factors into account. But India remains fully committed to meeting its climate change commitments,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly briefing.

“We continue to build on our green agenda and, at the same time, see how we can best foster great climate change action worldwide with our international partners,” he added.

The move, however, has raised questions among climate observers, especially as no detailed justification has been made public. Jaiswal directed queries on specifics to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which has yet to respond.

PROMISE MADE, PROMISE BROKEN

The withdrawal marks a sharp reversal from a high-profile pitch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had proposed India’s candidature to host COP33 during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023.

The announcement had been widely viewed as an assertion of India’s leadership role in global climate negotiations, particularly as a voice of the Global South.

In July 2024, the Brics bloc – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – had backed India’s proposal, and a dedicated COP33 cell was later set up in 2025 to handle planning and logistics.

Back home, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had even established a dedicated COP33 Cell in July 2025 to manage the professional and logistical requirements of the summit.

Then, the plan collapsed.

During the briefing, Jaiswal asked journalists to seek specifics from the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change. The Environment Ministry is yet to respond to the questions posed by IndiaToday.in.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The fallout from this decision goes beyond just losing an event. India’s decision to withdraw is expected to be a setback for climate action both domestically and globally, with deeper concerns now surfacing about India’s climate credibility.

India had already missed two deadlines last year to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035, placing it among 76 UNFCCC member nations that failed to meet the requirement, before finally announcing updated goals in March 2026.

PM Modi has also not attended the last two COP summits, sending ministers in his place.

The timing stings particularly hard given that India had used last year’s COP30 to openly criticise developed nations for failing to deliver on climate finance promises, emerging as a potential champion for developing economies on the climate frontline.

For a country that has made renewable energy a cornerstone of its global identity, walking away from the world’s biggest climate forum without so much as a press conference raises uncomfortable questions about where India’s climate ambitions truly stand. (India Today)

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TENSION is building up at the 29th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP29, which is being currently held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024.

Over the years, there has been a buildup of mistrust at the annual Climate Change Conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and this year’s COP29 has not been an exception, as the voices of mistrust are becoming even louder and louder as most leaders of the developing nations question the real agenda of this conference.

And no country has been as vociferous as BRICS member state India, which has tabled the following discussion points at the conference.

• Carbon debt that is owed by developed countries to developing countries for their overuse of the global carbon budget. Monetisation of this carbon debt would be in trillions.

• Unilateral coercive measures that restrict trade flows and restrict countries from accessing equitable development opportunities

• Intellectual property rights on green technologies, which hinder their free and scalable access to developing countries.

• Science that guides all climate discourse – whether it is based on considerations of global equity and environmental justice?

• How the inequality continues to be perpetuated in the climate discourse.

• The choices of citizens in developed countries being sacrosanct vs the costs imposed on the citizens of developing countries due to transition.

In a recent Wits University article titled “Developing Nations are least responsible for climate change but cop it worst”, Professor Imraan Valodia, Julia Taylor, and Katrina Lehmann-Grube give context on.

Who is responsible for climate change, what risks this climate crisis has created for developing nations, lack of accountability by developed nations, and climate justice?

The researchers correctly highlight how developing nations are suffering the worst, despite emitting far fewer greenhouse gases. To date, two regions – Europe and North America – have contributed fully 60% of the world’s total emissions.

This has made them much richer, but at a cost borne largely by those of us in the Global South. By contrast, Africa and South America are each only responsible for 3% of the world’s total emissions over time. This is just one of many cruel twists of fate.

As the damage done by climate change intensifies, developing countries have to spend more of their budgets on maintaining the status quo – repairing broken bridges, keeping farmers afloat – and less on improving the lives of their citizens.”

COP25 and Accountability

The Global South, with the outspoken India taking on rich countries, have used COP29 to also express their complete dissatisfaction with the use of resources on addressing climate change.

The Global South is made to pay the price for the climate change crisis it did not create, and this is exacerbated by the fact that the billions that are pledged by the developed nations and global financial institutions end up being used by the very developed nations whilst the funds are disbursed as loans and debt traps to the developing nations.

The demands by India for COP29 to discuss “carbon debt” owed by developed nations and unilateral trade restrictions imposed on developing countries deserve a united front by Global South countries, especially the argument that has been put forth by India, “that just transition must begin with wealthy nations, not developing economies”.

The legacy of emissions and where we are today

It is accepted that the Global North industrialised their nations through fossil fuels at the expense of the global environment. Therefore, if the world is to take collective responsibility to mitigate climate change, surely the burden to address it will have to fall disproportionately on developing countries, as advocated by India.

For example, to commit and mitigate climate change, Zambia installed a power generation capacity of 3356.6 megawatts, of which 83% of this power is through hydropower generated through flowing water, but the Kariba Dam in Zambia has gone dry due to droughts, and the country now faces more than 21 hours of power cuts.

No different to Zimbabwe, which is also experiencing power shortages due to ongoing droughts and low hydropower generation.

The call made by Leena Nandan, who is leading the Indian delegation, for the Global South countries to not shy away from the topic of developed nations financing climate change in the interest of developing countries as a form of accountability to the climate change crisis without any financial strings attached has never been more justifiable as the Global North carries more responsibility for the climate crisis than the Global South.

India, which has positioned itself as the voice for the Global South, has not shied away from calling out this injustice against the Global South and has called for developed nations to account and pay more for their actions towards the environment.

Climate change finance and the Global South countries at COP29

At the 2020 COP26 Conference that was held in Glasgow, the developed world pledged US$100 billion to assist developing nations to address and mitigate climate change. However, this promise remains unmet, leading to the disillusionment of many in the Global South countries.

At the round table discussion, Ms Nandan of India also emphasised that financial support for climate change must not be reallocated or double-counted for the existing developing aid from the rich nations.

What this means is that the financial support from the developed nations to mitigate climate change must not be interpreted as aid but rather as a form of accountability and responsibility to address the emissions that were caused by the developed nations.

The Global South must unite behind a collective voice

India is boisterously calling for the developed nations to be held to account for climate finance and to not only limit the debate to technical and economic matters but to include justice, equity, and fairness.

The Global South countries must be united on this and to seek to call for total financial transparency and equitable access to resources so that developing nations can use these finances to sustain themselves without compromising their developmental goals.

The developed nations must take responsibility for climate change and continue to provide necessary support for countries that contributed less to climate change.

The Global South countries must be united behind India to interrogate the true cost of pursuing the green energy agenda. This call (interrogation of climate finance) is informed by the revelations that around 80% of the climate change pledges go back to the very rich nations that pledged, while it is claimed it is pledged to the developing nations.

A cleaner and greener planet is non-negotiable; however, as reiterated by the Indian delegation at COP29, the “Just Transitions” must be just, equitable, and fair and not to be used by developed nations as another debt trap to hold the development of countries in the Global South at ransom.

* Phapano Phasha is Chairperson of the Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought with a focus on BRICS Plus Countries and the Global South. The views expressed here are her own. (IOL)

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Ministries of Environment of India and Sri Lanka, on Monday launched its Adaptation for Resilience (ADAPT4R) project, a five-year initiative that aims to enhance the food security and livelihoods of farming communities facing climate-induced challenges. 

According to the WFP, supported through a US$ 14 million contribution from the Adaptation Fund, the project is focused on those districts in the two countries where farmers face adverse weather impacts on agriculture and rural livelihoods. By providing information through climate services and leveraging existing systems, ADAPT4R will empower farmers, especially women, to make their farming and livelihoods resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the Government of India and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community Infrastructure of the Government of Sri Lanka will jointly implement this with WFP.  

“India is at the forefront of responding to the increasing climate risks to food security. According to the Global Climate Risk Index (2021), the country is among the top 10 most vulnerable to climate events. This new partnership between WFP and MoEFCC would help address some of the critical climate-related challenges in India by building the adaptive capacity of smallholders in dryland areas,” said Ms Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor, MoEFCC, Government of India.

“The Adaptation for Resilience project marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s collaborative efforts with WFP to tackle the universal challenge of climate change,” says Mrs. W.G. Kumaragama, Additional Secretary (Environment Projects & Education Training) to the Ministry of Environment in Sri Lanka. “This timely project enables India and Sri Lanka to collaborate and learn from each other, as we work towards a common goal of helping at-risk communities build climate resilience.”  

The launch was also accompanied by a regional inception event, which provided a platform for stakeholders from India and Sri Lanka to move forward in project implementation. The event brought together government officials and experts from both countries to discuss the way forward.

“This initiative will enhance the adaptive capacity of economically disadvantaged farming households confronted with significant climate risks, enabling them to implement localised adaptation strategies through improved practices and diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods and employing a participatory approach,” said Ms Elisabeth Faure, Country Director, WFP in India.

“Our food systems are at the mercy of the rapidly intensifying effects of climate change,” says Gerard Rebello, WFP Sri Lanka Deputy Country Director. “By partnering with the Ministry of Environment, we aim to boost resilience and help vulnerable communities better prepare for erratic weather patterns. This will not only safeguard lives and livelihoods but ensure that the journey of food is uninterrupted.”

Additionally, present at the launch were Mr. Shombi Sharp, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India; Ms Ruchika Drall, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mr M.H.A.M. Riflan, Director General of the Partnership Secretariat for WFP Cooperation; and Ms. Nozomi Hashimoto, Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme in India. (Newswire)

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In a bid to combat the escalating challenges posed by climate change, Sri Lanka has commenced the formulation of its first Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Investment Plan. 

This landmark initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the country’s agricultural sector from the adverse impacts of climate change.

According to the FAO, Sri Lanka, with its tropical climate, is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, consistently ranking among the top ten countries at risk of extreme weather events according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Projections indicate significant shifts in weather patterns, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of extreme events, all of which have already begun to diminish agricultural productivity and water availability across the island.

Agriculture in the dry and intermediate zones is particularly vulnerable to the changing and variable climate due to climate change, with research projecting an average 10-12% yield reduction if appropriate interventions are not implemented to mitigate these effects. The CSA Investment Plan is designed to be a strategic and comprehensive blueprint for fostering agricultural development that is resilient to climate change. Through this plan, FAO specialists, including both international and national experts, will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders—including government bodies, the private sector, and academia—to assess national climate finance priorities and develop innovative investment mechanisms tailored to the unique challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.

Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and representative of the National Designated Authority, highlighted the significance of this initiative, “Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to climate change is a pressing concern, particularly for our farmers who are at the frontline of this crisis. The development of a Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan is a timely and necessary step to equip our agricultural sector with the tools and resources needed to adapt and thrive in a changing climate. We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure the success of this initiative.”

This investment plan will bridge the gap between farmers and investors, attract private sector investment for climate-smart interventions, and open new avenues for youth and young entrepreneurs. Mr Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka emphasized the importance of this initiative, “Climate change is not a distant threat—it is a present reality that is already affecting our farmers and our food security. The Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan will be a vital tool in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector can adapt to these changes and continue to thrive in the face of adversity.”

This workshop marks the first of several consultations planned as part of the CSA Investment Plan’s development process, reflecting FAO’s commitment to an inclusive, participatory approach that brings together all relevant voices in the fight against climate change. (Newswire)

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A group representing children, youth, and civil society organizations today voiced their concerns regarding the Climate Summit hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) under the theme “Code Red: Climate Risks and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Businesses.”

Issuing a statement, a collective of 16 organizations argued that labelling a business-focused summit aimed at economic prosperity as a “Climate Summit” is misleading and constitutes greenwashing.

“Climate change should not be perceived as a profit-oriented opportunity but as a series of problems that require effective efforts and holistic solutions prioritizing the people whose livelihoods and existence depend on the natural environment and the future generations,” they said.

Meanwhile the summit’s entry fee of Rs. 40,000 per participant has also sparked debate about its accessibility and the sincerity of its commitment to climate change mitigation.

The groups called on the media to practice ethical reporting and urged the public to critically evaluate the summit’s agenda and outcomes. They advocate for a summit that prioritizes true sustainability through transparency, inclusive participation, and genuine commitments, rather than serving as a platform for corporate greenwashing. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka needs US$100 billion to become a net zero emitter by 2040, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday (Nov 28), it was reported. 

Sri Lanka will focus on green financing tools, including debt for nature swaps as it attempts to reach the net zero target, Wickremesinghe told Reuters in an interview, but added it does not have immediate plans to utilise green bonds.

“Some (funds) will come from investors who are interested, and I think we have an early start compared to others. We may invite foreign investments. Rest, let’s hope our economy picks up and we have sufficient money to put into it,” he said.

Sri Lanka will set out two regional proposals at the U.N climate summit COP28, taking place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai, which it hopes will focus on linking countries in the tropical belt to collectively combat climate change and promote the Indian Ocean as a carbon sink.

“Tropical belt has virtually 40% of the forests, in 2040 it will have 50% of the world’s population so let’s fix it in the tropical belt. That also has an impact elsewhere,” Wickremesinghe said, pointing out it could make a “radical change” in the fight against climate change.

Sri Lanka will also propose setting up an international climate change university and is willing to allocate 600 acres (240 hectares) for the project to promote research on global climate change policies.

According to Reuters, the President’s remarks come as the island also attempts to build climate change resilience while navigating its worst financial crisis in decades.

Sri Lanka is struggling to emerge from its worst financial crisis in decades after a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves shattered the economy last year.

The island also faces the challenge of building more resilience to climate change. It is among the countries most affected by extreme weather events and is expected to see a 1.2% annual GDP loss by 2050 due to climate change, according to the World Bank.

It is estimated that close to 19 million Sri Lankans may live in areas that could become moderate or severe hotspots in terms of floods or droughts by 2050. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed the launch of a dedicated program to support the world’s most biodiverse nations in addressing future climate change challenges.

The President emphasized that the world’s most biodiverse regions are found in tropical countries, highlighting that 80% of the world’s endemic plants, as well as 50% of all coral reefs and mangroves, are located in tropical regions. 

Sri Lanka, he noted, is actively working towards the establishment of an international university focused on climate change, capitalizing on this unique ecological context.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks during his address at the “Green Silk Road for harmony with nature” Conference held in China on Wednesday (Oct 18), in conjunction with the 3rd “Belt and Road Initiative” International forum.

The conference was chaired by the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Han Zheng. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and leaders from other participating countries also shared their insights.

Addressing the conference, President Ranil Wickremesinghe elaborated on the establishment of an international university dedicated to climate change which aims to lay the groundwork for conducting relevant research and implementing protective measures to address the pressing global crises of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity destruction. 

President Wickremesinghe strongly advocated for immediate action in these areas, stating “Through this university, we have set three primary objectives. First and foremost, our focus is on researching measures for collective security and the common good. Secondly, we aim to foster knowledge sharing among the global community. Lastly, we are committed to providing practical education. 

“To mitigate the impacts of climate change, this institution delves into a comprehensive array of strategies across diverse fields, encompassing rigorous research, structural reforms within relevant organizations, international cooperation, community engagement and more. It serves as a valuable source of knowledge, research and solutions aimed at limiting global warming to a level of 1.5 degrees C. In this endeavour, the university assumes a pivotal role in the battle against climate change,” he said.

The President pointed out that one significant challenge impeding global efforts to combat climate change is the widespread economic crises afflicting many countries, adding that these crises have rendered participation in climate change mitigation an exceedingly intricate and daunting task.

He further emphasised that the most effective approach is for the entire global community to unite and collaboratively seek solutions to this pressing issue. 

In this context, the President proposed three key suggestions, where he said “Firstly, offering debt relief to low-income countries can significantly alleviate their economic burdens and enable them to actively participate in climate change mitigation efforts. Secondly, providing access to concessional loans for high-income countries can facilitate their engagement in sustainable practices. Lastly, we should consider channelling additional funding through multilateral organizations, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to support climate-related initiatives.

“It’s worth noting that there are 150 tropical countries, with 88 of them participating in the Belt and Road initiative. This tropical region encompasses 40% of the world’s total land area and is home to 40% of the global population. In light of this, I would like to express my gratitude to the Republic of China, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, for organizing this conference, and recognizing environmental concerns as a fundamental aspect of sustainable development,” the President added.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that during the Asia-Pacific Belt and Road High-Level Summit in 2021, Sri Lanka wholeheartedly endorsed the Green Silk Road initiative and its commitment to supporting this initiative remains steadfast. (NewsWire)

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Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardena has engaged in a discussion with the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mr. Mostafa Madbouly on the sidelines of the African Climate Summit 2023.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the meeting underscored the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. 

Wijewardena’s participation in the summit, at the request of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, signifies Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to global efforts to combat climate change. The summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya, has drawn international attention as world leaders convene to chart a path toward a more sustainable future. 

The meeting between Wijewardena and Prime Minister Madbouly was marked by in-depth discussions on the potential for strengthened cooperation between Egypt and Sri Lanka in mitigating the effects of climate change. Both leaders expressed their dedication to finding innovative solutions to the environmental challenges that transcend borders. 

Furthermore, Wijewardena took the opportunity to highlight the proactive measures undertaken by the Sri Lankan government to reduce the impact of climate change. These initiatives underscore Sri Lanka’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. 

In a bid to expand their partnership, the leaders also explored avenues for enhancing trade relations between Sri Lanka and Egypt. Their discussions exemplified a shared vision of promoting economic growth and development through strategic collaboration. 

Adding to the diplomatic significance of the meeting, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr. Kana Kananathan, was present at the event, reinforcing the strong and enduring ties between Sri Lanka and Kenya. (NewsWire)

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The tourism economy of Swat valley took a hit at the very beginning of the business season this year due to flooding caused by heavy rains.

On April 18, a heavy downpour caused flooding in the Swat River’s Daral Khwar stream and affected hotels and shops in the Bahrain Bazaar.

Last year’s devastating floods had already washed away the bridge on Daral Khwar, Bahrain, which was a vital link that provided travellers access to the picturesque Kalam valley, a major tourist attraction in Swat. The bridge has still to be repaired.

The other route, a road link from Bahrain to Kalam was lost in the recent rains. Many tourists who had come to Upper Swat to celebrate Eid with their families were stuck in the area as were the residents of Upper Swat.

The residents of Swat recorded a protest in Mingora City to express their dismay over the situation. They demanded that the authorities step in to clear the roads and repair the bridge. The protesters stressed the need to expedite work on Bahrain-Kalam road.

The tourism season started early this year because of the Eid holidays. Many people, however, cancelled their plans to visit Swat valley following the rain-induced floods.

Uzma, a 21 year old from Peshawar, said she and her family cancelled their plans to visit Swat over the Eid holidays after she received a text message on the situation from the government.

“Recent heavy rains, in upper Swat. The Kalam road is closed due to floods in Bahrain. Avoid travelling on the Swat River route,” read the cautionary message.

Rooh-ul Amin, a resident of Charsadda, who visited Swat with some friends, had a similar experience. Amin said that he and his friends had been planning on visiting the Kalam valley. However, they had to cancel the plans after the locals confirmed that the road to Kalam was not in a good condition.

Syed Niaz Ali, the owner of a hotel in Kalam, estimates that compared to last year the number of tourists has dropped by at least 80 per cent.

“Reconstruction of the hotels damaged by floods last year has been started. The main problem is that the Bahrain-Kalam road is in a state of disrepair. That discourages tourists from visiting,” says Ali.

Located halfway between the Swat and Dir districts, Kumrat valley, another tourist destination, also received fewer visitors this year.

Tahir-Ullah who works as a manager at a hotel in Kumrat valley, says the number of people visiting the valley has sharply declined.

“Last year, the tourism season started in May. We didn’t have a room to spare. This year, it started earlier, in April. As of now, only two people have booked a room,” the manager tells TNS.

Tahir-Ullah attributes this drop in footfall to damaged infrastructure that has still to be repaired. “The road from Thal to Kumrat is in a dilapidated condition. The valley has become hard to access. Nobody wants to visit Kumrat these days,” he complains.

Tahir says many hotel owners have decided not to open their guesthouses and lodges this season. “When tourists stop visiting, the owners are unable to meet the operational costs. They have to make the tough decision to shut down,” he explains.

Azmat Akbar, the chief executive officer of a tourist company, and the owner of several hotels in the Kumrat region, agrees with Tahir-Ullah.

“Kumrat and Kalam, two of the most attractive tourist destinations in Malakand division, began facing a crunch after the floods, last year,” says Akbar. He says these tourist spots have been ‘practically abandoned.’

“The revival of tourism in Malakand division is not possible without reconstruction of the infrastructure. The repair work is key in re-establishing connectivity and making these areas more accessible,” he adds.

“After last year’s floods, I lost Rs 10 million,” says Akbar, “We are sure we’ll be running into a loss this year too. We are trying to assess the damage,” says Akbar.

“The loss of tourism-related amounted to Rs 9.5 billion after last year’s floods,” estimates Zahid Khan, president of Swat Hotels Association.

“Last year, the floods washed away parts of the Bahrain-Kalam road. The bridges leading to Kalam were also damaged,” says Khan.

“The tourism season has already started. However, some of these routes have still not been restored,” he complains. “If the repair work is stalled, it can cost us billions of rupees this year too,” he warns.

The setback is felt, not just by the hotel owners but also by other people associated with Swat’s hospitality sector. Service providers, drivers, tourist guides, porters, local handicrafts industry, trout fishermen and small business owners are just some of the people whose livelihoods are at stake.

The tourism industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received its first shock during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was still reeling from the aftermath when floods inundated the province, last year and caused large-scale devastation.

The weather patterns and recent rain spells indicate that climate change is among the major challenges the tourism sector will have to adapt to.

Swat, Dir and Chitral are three districts particularly vulnerable to climate change. Nestled in the Hindu Kush mountain range, these areas are regularly struck by flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and land sliding.

Dr Mohammad Nafees, chairman of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Peshawar, points out that climate change is not a recent phenomenon. “Two decades have passed since we started experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change in Pakistan,” says Nafees.

Nafees says, “Climate change has a major impact on mountainous areas. Storms, flash floods, avalanches and landslides affect tourism negatively.” (TNS)

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India is in a unique position to provide leadership in the Global South and there can be no solution to climate challenges without the country being central to it, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said here on Friday.

Addressing a gathering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Albanese said education is about growing an economy as it is the key to productivity, new ideas and more efficiency.

“India is in a unique position to provide leadership in the Global South. There can be no solution to climate challenges without India being central to that. Australia will become a renewable energy superpower, given its location. India will be too, and therefore, there are great opportunities to collaborate and work together.”

“Australia is blessed with natural resources, critical earth minerals that can help in the production of renewables. Hence, this partnership will help India meet the growing energy demands,” he said.

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/no-solution-to-climate-change-without-india-being-central-to-it-australian-pm-albanese-1198978.html

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