Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s next generation of climate leaders took centre stage in Islamabad as the British High Commission and Oxford Policy Management (OPM) convened the Youth Climate Catalysts, a dynamic showcase of innovation, diplomacy, and youth-led climate solutions.
The event brought together young innovators, experts, and community voices to promote youth leadership for a more climate-resilient future. The initiative is supported by the British High Commission under the UK–Pakistan Green Compact and implemented by OPM.
At the Innovation Souq, young entrepreneurs presented climate-tech tools, renewable energy models, circular economy solutions, and AI-powered climate applications, offering practical ideas ready for real-world adoption.
While presenting her project ezGeyser, innovator and Co-Founder of ezGeyser Smart Thermostats, Sana Khattak, explained that the initiative aims to reduce natural gas and LNG wastage from geysers, helping lower carbon emissions through smarter energy use.
“We have been given a platform and an opportunity to showcase our work. People are asking questions and showing interest in our project. The youth is inspired, which is encouraging, and it is also helping us gain more contacts and sales. I can see the future of my business aligned with the future of Pakistan,” she said.
The Diplomacy Lab immersed participants in a fast-paced climate negotiation simulation, allowing them to understand the dynamics, tensions, and opportunities that shape global climate outcomes.
Anna Ballance, Climate Expert at the British High Commission, said young Pakistanis were driving the ideas and energy needed to confront climate change.
“The UK is investing in their leadership because a resilient and greener Pakistan will be built by this generation — through innovation, community action, and a clear vision for a safer future,” she remarked.
Aisha Humera Chaudhary, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in climate policy.
“I am here to learn from the youth. The Ministry places young talent at the centre of driving climate action together,” she said, adding that it was a proud moment to see young people developing community-oriented solutions. She stressed that it is now the responsibility of policymakers to nurture such initiatives through supportive policies.
During the “Meet the Leader” session, emerging climate leaders engaged in candid discussions with senior experts on the future of climate policy, green jobs, and the role of youth in driving national and global change.
Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. With more than 64 percent of its population under the age of 30, the event highlighted both the urgency and the opportunity of empowering youth leadership at scale.
Held during the holy month of Ramadan, the gathering also underscored climate action as a shared moral responsibility, not merely a technical challenge.
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