ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change Chairperson Senator Sherry Rehman has called for an urgent nationwide shift toward sustainable, circular and climate resilient construction to protect Pakistan’s environment and economy. She was speaking at the opening session of the second Pakistan Sustainability Summit and Awards held in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The summit, themed Sustainable Housing for Economic Resilience and Climate Smart Living, was organised by Development Communications Network Devcom Pakistan. Senator Rehman warned that while Pakistan already has Green Building Codes, their enforcement remains extremely weak. She cited the Climate Risk Index 2025, which ranks Pakistan as the most climate impacted country globally due to rising floods, heatwaves and urban vulnerabilities.
She highlighted that the industrial sector contributes 38 percent of Pakistan’s total energy related carbon emissions, while the cement industry alone generates nearly 49 percent of national emissions. She stressed that without transforming construction materials, building designs and energy use, Pakistan cannot meet its climate adaptation or emissions reduction goals.
Senator Rehman also pointed to rapid urbanisation as a major threat, noting that around 42 percent of Pakistan is now classified as peri urban. These growing settlements often lack organised waste disposal, water systems and basic municipal services, creating serious environmental and public health risks.
Devcom Pakistan Executive Director Syed Munir Ahmed said the country faces an annual housing shortfall of more than 400,000 units, while nearly 40 percent of the urban population lives in informal settlements without adequate facilities. He added that the real estate and construction sectors drive economic growth but also remain among the biggest users of natural resources and energy.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sardar Tahir Mahmood stressed the need for transparent public private partnerships and modern regulatory frameworks. Meanwhile, Ministry of Housing and Works Director General Waseem Hayat Bajwa and UN Habitat official Hamid Mumtaz Khan reaffirmed the government commitment to climate resilient, energy efficient and affordable green housing across Pakistan.
