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Govt targets full integration into Asian green supply chains | The Express Tribune

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Govt targets full integration into Asian green supply chains | The Express Tribune


Climate minister says green productivity provides pathway to strengthen energy security


LAHORE:

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has emphasised that green productivity is not just an environmental choice; it is an economic necessity for countries like Pakistan.

Speaking at the Asian Productivity Organisation’s (APO) international conference on Green Productivity 2.0, Iqbal stated that by 2035, Pakistan aims to achieve over 6% productivity-driven GDP growth, $100 billion in exports, a 30% reduction in emissions intensity, universal climate-resilient infrastructure, 60% clean energy, two million green and high-tech jobs and full integration into Asian green supply chains. The conference was jointly organised by the LUMS Energy Institute, the National Productivity Organisation Pakistan (NPO) and the Ministry of Industries & Production at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

The two-day event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, international experts, academics and development practitioners from 21 APO member economies, with more than 80 foreign delegates participating, marking one of Pakistan’s most prominent international forums on sustainable industrial transformation.

Different sessions addressed a wide range of themes, including sustainable architecture and industrial growth, energy efficiency, circular-economy innovation, energy transition, digital productivity tools, green hydrogen applications, green initiatives in power and oil and gas sectors, efficient thin-film photovoltaics, circular plastics solutions and collaborations across the government, academia and industry.

Presentations from experts representing Italy, Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, Vietnam, Pakistan and other APO economies showcased cutting-edge research and applied solutions, shaping the future of green productivity across the region.

Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadiq Malik highlighted the alignment between climate policy and productivity-led growth. He noted, “Pakistan’s energy future depends on cleaner, smarter and more efficient systems. Green productivity provides the pathway to strengthen energy security and national resilience.”

He said that Pakistan’s 17% voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitment reflects the responsibility to safeguard the future of children. “The global shift from multilateralism towards bilateral arrangements has led to a steady decline in multilateral climate financing. This contraction poses significant challenges to countries like Pakistan striving to build a fast-growing green economy,” he added.

Representing parliamentary leadership, MNA and Convener of the Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs Shaista Pervaiz Malik underscored the sustainable development goals (SDG)-aligned development priorities and stated, “Green productivity ensures that economic growth advances alongside environmental responsibility and social well-being. This balance is essential for a sustainable Pakistan.” The APO Secretariat’s perspective was presented by Zainuri Juri, who commended Pakistan’s leadership on the green productivity agenda, noting, “Pakistan, being a steadfast partner of the APO, has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing green productivity, which is exemplary across member economies.”

Reflecting on conference outcomes, LUMS Energy Institute Senior Adviser Dr Fiaz Chaudhry and NPO CEO Alamgir Chaudhry highlighted the importance of collaboration in accelerating sustainable transformation.



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Global stock markets are too high and set to fall, says Bank of England deputy

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Global stock markets are too high and set to fall, says Bank of England deputy



It is unusual for a senior figure at the Bank to be so forthright on market movements.



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Nike cuts 1,400 roles in second round of layoffs this year

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Nike cuts 1,400 roles in second round of layoffs this year


People walk past a Nike store in New York City, on April 2, 2025.

Kylie Cooper | Reuters

Nike announced a new round of layoffs Thursday affecting approximately 1,400 employees across the organization, mostly concentrated in its technology department.

In a note from COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, the company said the layoffs were part of Nike’s broader “Win Now” turnaround strategy aiming to reshape its technology team, modernize its Air manufacturing, move some of its Converse Footwear operations and integrate its materials supply chain work into its footwear and apparel supply chain teams.

“Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in global operations, with the majority in technology,” Alagirisamy wrote. “These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too.”

A Nike spokesperson said the layoffs are about better positioning the organization for the current pace of sports and accelerating its growth. The layoffs affect employees across North America, Asia and Europe and represent less than 2% of the company’s total global head count.

“This is not a new direction,” Alagirisamy wrote. “It is the next phase of the work already underway.”

Affected employees will be notified beginning Thursday, Nike added.

CEO Elliott Hill has been working to turn Nike around after years of slumping sales. While Hill has made some initial progress, it’s come with some bumps in the road.

Nike announced 775 job cuts in January, primarily at its U.S.-based distribution centers, due to the company’s work in accelerating its use of automation. At the time, the company said the cuts are part of Nike’s goal to return to “long-term, profitable growth.”

Those layoffs came on top of a round of cuts last summer that affected less than 1% of Nike’s corporate staff as part of the company’s efforts to realign the business.

In its third fiscal quarter earnings report last month, the retailer warned that sales will continue to fall for the rest of the year, primarily led by an anticipated 20% decline in China during the current quarter.

— CNBC’s Jessica Golden contributed to this report.

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Meta says it will cut 8,000 jobs as AI spending grows

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Meta says it will cut 8,000 jobs as AI spending grows


A key reason for the layoffs is Meta’s increased spending in other areas of the company, including AI, for which it will this year spend $135bn (£100bn). This is roughly equal to the amount it has spent on AI in the previous three years combined, according to a person who viewed the memo.



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