Imran Habib Ahmad is a climate activist by profession and currently he is working towards a PhD in climate change policy in Australia. He is also an activist for social change and recognizes the importance of eliminating poverty in Pakistan. We had the opportunity to ask Imran about his current ventures and what he predicts for the world and Pakistan in terms of climate and social change. Read on to learn more about how you can positively contribute to the environment.

Pictures courtesy of IISD/ENB-Leila Mead

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

A Pakistani, a student and a public policy official interested in sustainable development and climate change issues.

Tell us about your background - where you grew up, your family and education.

have had a very diverse personal, academic and professional background. I have lived in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America with my childhood in Pakistan and Nigeria. I have also lived in diverse areas of Pakistan, including both NWFP and Punjab Province of Pakistan to which I have ancestral roots also. My graduate education was in the US and my first professional job was in Europe and now I am in Australia doing a PhD. I have a lovely wife and three adorable children –two daughters and a son.

Where are you currently working? Tell us about your job responsibilities?

I am currently a PhD student in climate change policy at the Australian National University in Canberra. This is a transition for me from a world of action to a world of knowledge creation. It is interesting and at times challenging for me to be in this role at this stage of my life.

Where are you currently working? Tell us about your job responsibilities?

I am currently a PhD student in climate change policy at the Australian National University in Canberra. This is a transition for me from a world of action to a world of knowledge creation. It is interesting and at times challenging for me to be in this role at this stage of my life.

You have done extensive work on the environment and natural resource management; where does Pakistan stand on these issues?

Pakistan, like other developing countries is having a natural resource management implementation deficit. We have done a lot of work on policy, legislative and other enabling framework, but seem to be weak in terms of finances and actionable work on sustainable development. Globally, Pakistan has played a key role in the intergovernmental process on sustainable development issues –Pakistan was the Chairman of G-77/China, a large block of developing countries in 1992 and then in 2007 where the Bali Road map on Climate Change was agreed.

What can you tell us about the impact of global warming on the environment? What steps is the Pakistani Government taking to help this cause?


Climate change is now a global issue –the science is firm with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC ) having given a clearer human induced link to the growing climate change we witness in the world today. There is now increasing evidence that the current extreme events like Katrina and Tsunami may have been affected by human effects on climate –other measures include, sea-level rise, temperature increase, melting of glaciers etc. Climate Change is also natural and what we term as climate change mean the human induced effect on the natural climate cycle. Pakistan, as a country does not contribute much to the climate change problem, but it is being severely impacted by the effects of climate change. Agriculture contributes to about 25% of Pakistan’s GDP and 40% of its labor force, so Pakistan does have an interest in protecting itself from the vulnerabilities of climate change.

You have also done work on rural development and poverty reduction; what is being done in Pakistan to alleviate poverty?

Pakistan like other developing countries suffers from the poverty problem. Our rank on the human development index of UNDP is also very low. There are various programs the government undertakes as part of its poverty reduction strategy that are both standalone like micro-credit and others that are part of social network programs. But we have to do much more to alleviate poverty in Pakistan both at the government and civil society level.

You have also dealt with a lot of NGO’s that work in Pakistan, how much do they contribute towards the people? In your opinion, which organizations are making the greatest difference?

NGOs and the civil society in general are wider elements of a nation’s development process –they are not only important but are an essential part of any governance mechanism. Pakistan does have a decent spectrum of NGOs –both local and international that have programs and projects, but we do need more and sustained NGO presence that works in tandem with the government and other civil society operators to undertake further sustained initiatives.

Are there any campaigns to help educate the people in our country to stop pollution?

A.The Environmental Protection Agency does a few campaigns, but there is a wider need of the civil society, private sector and other players to get involved and educate people regarding stopping pollution.

How can the average person do to help save the environment?

Each person has a carbon and/or an ecological footprint and it is important that we all understand that we have a role to protect the environment. Just simple things like throwing garbage, using public transport, using energy saver lights, and reduced use of water can be done at the individual level and should be undertaken.

Lastly, what is your message to the readers of The Saturday Post?

Climate Change is happening and we must all make efforts within our own limits to help reduce the emissions we make to the atmosphere.