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Experts call for integration of climate governance, social protection systems | The Express Tribune
1736990282-0/image-(1)1736990282-0-640x480.webp "Experts call for integration of climate governance, social protection systems | The Express Tribune")
Speakers at IBA conference reject reactive policies; urge youth participation, climate literacy, localised finance
There are several departments, including women’s development, social welfare, labour, health, and others that are not playing their due role in empowering agricultural working women. Photo: File
KARACHI:
Pakistan must undertake an overhaul and integration of its climate governance and social protection systems to withstand the rising frequency and severity of climate shocks, experts said at the Fifth Annual International Conference — A New Global Order, Yet Again — organised by the IBA.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Climate Change and Social Protection,” leading climate specialists, researchers and development practitioners stressed that the country’s fragmented and reactive policies are no longer sufficient in an era of intensifying heatwaves, floods, droughts, water scarcity and socioeconomic vulnerability. They argued that climate change and social protection can no longer operate as separate agendas, calling for deeper integration to shield communities from mounting risks.
Climate policy expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh opened the session by tracing the evolution of the global “Loss and Damage” agenda—from early negotiations in the 1990s to major milestones such as the Bali Action Plan, the Cancun Adaptation Framework, and the recent operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28. He pointed out that while Pakistan champions the issue internationally and frequently cites its climate vulnerability, it has been absent from many critical negotiations that shape global financing frameworks. With COP30 in Brazil expected to finalise key access modalities, Sheikh warned that Pakistan’s inconsistent diplomatic engagement could undermine its ability to secure its share of climate financing. “We champion global climate justice, but we often don’t show up at the tables where it is being shaped,” he said. “If we want results, we must be present, prepared and aligned with global developments.”
However, he argued that Pakistan’s challenges extend far beyond international negotiations. At home, outdated local governance systems, many stemming from colonial-era legislation, lack the capacity, authority and resources to respond effectively to climate emergencies. Local governments, he said, are the weakest link in Pakistan’s climate response, undermined by political interference, poor coordination and minimal fiscal decentralisation. Karachi’s shelved Climate Action Plan was cited as a prime example of how bureaucratic inertia and weak local decision-making impede climate resilience. “If local governments remain disempowered, climate adaptation will remain stuck on paper,” Sheikh warned.
Panellists noted that Pakistan’s academic and policy institutions have also struggled to keep pace with evolving global climate frameworks. Universities and think tanks, they said, must play a more active role in climate literacy, policy research and evidence-based advocacy to support national decision-making.
Another major theme was the urgent need to involve Pakistan’s youth, who make up two-thirds of the population, in meaningful climate action. Dr Saima Bashir of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) highlighted that only 12% of young people currently participate in policy or climate planning processes. She described youth participation as largely symbolic, pointing to the absence of structured training, climate-focused educational curricula and dedicated budgetary allocations for youth-led climate initiatives. “If we treat youth as photo opportunities rather than policy partners, we will miss the greatest opportunity for long-term resilience,” she said.
Yasir Hussain, Director of the Climate Action Centre, added that youth engagement is further hindered by deep urban–rural divides. Urban youth typically enjoy better access to information, digital platforms and environmental awareness, whereas rural youth face limited access to education and climate literacy tools. He called for targeted training programmes that integrate climate awareness with workforce development, arguing that Pakistan’s emerging green economy could be a major source of employment if youth are properly prepared.
“Our young people are already living through the consequences of climate change,” he said. “The frustration you see among them comes from a lack of meaningful avenues to participate in solutions.” Gender vulnerability was another critical focus of the discussion. Panellists noted that women, who make up 24% of Pakistan’s workforce and are concentrated in informal and climate-exposed sectors, suffer disproportionately during climate disasters. Social protection programmes, such as cash transfers and emergency support systems, often assume male heads of households, overlooking intra-family inequalities that leave women and children more vulnerable.
Dr Bashir recalled presenting a gender analysis of the PSDP in the National Assembly, only to face resistance when revealing that just 1.4% of PSDP projects were gender-segregated. “If gender isn’t recognised in budgeting, it won’t be recognised in climate response,” she said.
One in five UK grocery trips involves at least one missing item, adding up to roughly £2.1 billion in “displaced” sales, according to a report.
As a result, 44% of consumers say they have switched to another supermarket or added in a visit to an alternative grocer in the past year to find an item they need – rising to almost two thirds of shoppers under 45, a study by DHL Supply Chain and the consultancy Retail Economics found.
Almost six in 10 shoppers (59%) said availability is a main reason they shop across multiple stores, and one in three now prioritised availability over price, a survey of 2,000 UK households suggests.
Meanwhile, convenience stores accounted for around one fifth of grocery sales but made up almost half of all displaced spending because of gaps on shelves.
Some 63% of shoppers believe availability is worse in convenience stores.
Nick Archer, managing director of convenience and consumer at DHL Supply Chain, said: “The research shows that even small stock gaps can have a significant impact on how shoppers feel about a retailer.
“Despite the pressure on shoppers’ wallets, loyalty is being driven by more than price.
“In a market where customers can switch stores with ease, availability is much more than an operational metric. Being competitive in today’s market requires precision.”
Retail Economics chief executive Richard Lim said: “In today’s environment of busy lifestyles, hybrid working and smaller, more frequent shopping trips, customers expect to find what they need quickly and easily.
“This is not only limited to grocery, but in all retail sectors, from fashion to beauty.
“Convenience comes down to having products there when the customer needs them, and availability has become the clearest sign of reliability.
“Retailers who get it right will be the ones who earn trust and lasting loyalty.”
Business
Shree Ram Twistex IPO Lists At 30% Discount, Clean Max Falls 20% In Debut Trade: Should You Buy, Sell Or Hold?
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Shares of Shree Ram Twistex Ltd and Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd make lacklustre stock market debuts on March 2.
IPO Listings of Shree Ram Twistex Ltd and Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd.
Shares of Shree Ram Twistex Ltd and Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd made lacklustre stock market debuts on March 2, listing at steep discounts to their issue prices amid a sharp broader market sell-off triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
At 01:57 pm, the Sensex tumbled over 1,800 points, slipping below the 79,500 level; meanwhile, Nifty dropped below the 24,650 level.
Shree Ram Twistex lists at sharp discount
Shree Ram Twistex opened at Rs 68 on NSE, down 34.61% from its issue price of Rs 104, and at Rs 70 on BSE, marking a decline of 32.69%. The company’s market capitalisation stood at Rs 275.83 crore after listing.
Despite the weak debut, the IPO had seen strong investor demand, receiving 43.66 times subscription. The Rs 110.24-crore issue was entirely a fresh issue of up to 1.06 crore shares priced in the Rs 95-104 band.
Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said, “The muted listing reflects cautious sentiment and possible profit booking, even though the IPO was subscribed 43.66 times, with very strong demand in the retail and NII categories.”
She added that proceeds will be used for captive solar and wind power plants, debt repayment, and working capital support, which could lower energy costs over time.
“Volatility may persist in the short term. High-risk investors can consider holding with a strict stop loss at Rs 60. Fresh entry is advisable only after the stock shows signs of stability and buying support,” she said.
Clean Max falls sharply after listing
Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions listed at Rs 960 on NSE, an 8.83% discount to its upper price band of Rs 1,053, and at Rs 952.20 on BSE, down 9.57%. During the session, the stock dropped as much as about 20% from its opening levels. The firm’s market valuation stood at Rs 10,111.54 crore.
The Rs 3,100-crore IPO saw moderate demand, getting subscribed 94%. The issue comprised a fresh issue worth Rs 1,200 crore and an offer-for-sale of Rs 1,900 crore.
Nyati said, “While the long term business outlook remains structurally positive, the weak listing indicates near term caution and limited immediate upside visibility.”
She advised caution for investors: “Allottees may hold if risk appetite is high but should maintain a strict stop loss at Rs 900. Fresh investors are advised to wait for price stability and strong demand support before considering new positions.”
Business fundamentals vs listing sentiment
Shree Ram Twistex manufactures cotton yarn, while Clean Max operates in the renewable energy solutions space, providing solar, wind, hybrid power and carbon credit services for commercial and industrial clients.
Analysts note that weak listing performance does not necessarily reflect long-term fundamentals, particularly when broader market sentiment is risk-averse. However, steep listing discounts often indicate either aggressive IPO pricing or short-term liquidity pressure.
Should investors buy, sell or hold?
For Shree Ram Twistex, experts suggest only high-risk investors consider holding with tight risk management, while new investors should wait for price discovery. For Clean Max, the recommendation is similar: hold only if risk appetite is high and avoid fresh positions until stability returns.
In both cases, analysts stress that listing day performance should not be the sole investment metric; sustained earnings visibility, balance-sheet strength and institutional participation over the coming quarters will determine whether these stocks recover or continue to lag.
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March 02, 2026, 14:42 IST
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