Climate Change Negotiations Simulation

"COPinMyCity Karachi 2019" was a 2-day conference around climate change, organized by the Institute of Business Administration's (IBA) Go Green Society, supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Pakistan, and the Ministry of Climate Change at the Institute of Business Administration Karachi.

The objective of the conference was to introduce Pakistani youth to international climate negotiations and to develop a better understanding in them about the imminent threats we face from Climate Change.

Over two days, delegates from 20 colleges and universities participated in the negotiations, from across Karachi as well as interior Sindh and Balochistan. The debate was centered around curtailing carbon emissions, promoting afforestation, and contributing to the United Nations' Green Climate Fund, with the delegates representing different negotiating parties including state-groups such as Pakistan, China, and the European Union; as well as non-state groups including Climate Activists, Press Corps, and the Fossil Fuel Lobby.

A key component of these negotiations was a simulation that projected the impact of the decisions taken – in the form of the Earth's temperature rise by the year 2100. Under the Paris Agreement, the aim is to limit it at 2 degrees Celsius, and delegates at COPinMyCity Karachi came close at 2.3 during the final simulation.

A key component of these negotiations was a simulation that projected the impact of the decisions taken – in the form of the Earth's temperature rise by the year 2100. Under the Paris Agreement, the aim is to limit it at 2 degrees Celsius, and delegates at COPinMyCity Karachi came close at 2.3 during the final simulation.

He also talked about how Pakistan is emerging as a major global player in afforestation, through the government's effort to plant 10 billion trees across Pakistan.

Executive Director of the Institute of Business Administration of Karachi, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal also spoke on the occasion, and discussed his thesis on emissions trading. He also referred to his own experience of watching the Indus delta disappear over time because of the consequences of neglecting the environment.

Only some could share victory for being amongst the top negotiators of the their bloc. Taimoor Ali Khan was recognised as the Best Negotiator, while Lalarukh Wasif and Huzaifa Farooq shared Honourable Mentions. But the real victory was getting people engaged in this conversation. The delegates left the venue with renewed hope and energy towards replicating the negotiations model at their own respective varsities, calling it an 'eye opening experience', and the IBA Go Green Society as well the Friedrich Neumann Foundation for Freedom remain committed to supporting such positive discussions.

Guests who attended COPinMyCity 2019 included prominent personalities such as:

• Dr. Babar Khan, WWF Regional Head for Sindh and Baluchistan;
• Farhan Anwar, associated with FNF and visiting faculty at the IBA and Habib University;
• Aafia Salam, a freelance journalist, media developer and social activist;
• Professor Nausheen Anwar, Social Sciences & Liberal Arts faculty at the IBA and City & Regional Planning Director Karachi Urban Lab;
• Omer Akif, a lawyer associated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the individual who can be accredited with bringing COP to Pakistan;
• Momi Saleem and Amir Amjad, Program Directors at FNF;
• Zofeen Ebrahim; a Freelance Journalist and environmental activist.

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