Afghanistan Peace CampaignNEPA officials also called on the international community to support Afghanistan in tackling climate challenges.
The head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) says Afghanistan has a very small role in producing greenhouse gases but has suffered heavily from the global phenomenon of climate change.
Speaking at a scientific seminar titled “Environment and Sustainable Development”, Matiul Haq Khalis said the aim of the gathering was to raise public awareness and strengthen coordination in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Khalis noted: “No single institution can develop policies for all areas at the national or global level. Our focus here has been to increase public awareness programs.”
NEPA officials also called on the international community to support Afghanistan in tackling climate challenges.
Some organizers of the seminar highlighted the role of educational institutions in raising awareness about climate change, warning that the phenomenon could negatively affect Afghanistan’s foreign relations, particularly with neighboring countries.
Organizer Abdul Basir Nabizada said: “Afghanistan’s environment has been severely damaged by decades of war, and there is a pressing need for comprehensive research and educational policies.”
University professor Ramazan Ali said: “Climate change has reduced water resources, and this shortage has created challenges for Afghanistan’s policies with its neighbors.”
Participant Abdul Khaliq said: “This seminar may provide important guidelines that we can implement in our lives with the cooperation of government and institutions.”
Afghanistan is among the countries with the least contribution to greenhouse gas emissions but remains one of the most affected by climate change.
Over the past two decades, repeated droughts, declining groundwater levels, sudden floods, and soil erosion have severely impacted the lives of millions of Afghans.