WEF lauds PM Khan’s ‘green stimulus’ efforts

• Such efforts help families and keep the economy running during pandemic shutdowns, says WEF.
• Many of the new jobs are being created in rural areas, informed the report with workers earning between Rs500-Rs800 per day.

The World Economic Forum has lauded the government of Pakistan 10 Billion Tree Tsunami program for using unemployed laborers new jobs as amid lockdowns imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

“Such ‘green stimulus’ efforts are an example of how funds that aim to help families and keep the economy running during pandemic shutdowns could also help nations prepare for the next big threat: climate change,” stated WEF in its report titled, COVID-19: Pakistan's 'green stimulus' scheme is a win-win for the environment and the unemployed, compiled by WEF and Thompson Reuters.

The report pointed out that the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, ranked Pakistan fifth on a list of countries most affected by planetary heating over the last two decades.

Earlier this month, PM Imran Khan granted an exemption to the forestry agency to restart the program and create more than 63,600 jobs, according to government officials. Meanwhile, much of the economic activity remains halted due to lockdown measures authorities have permitted trucks carrying trees to travel and villagers permitted to leave their homes to work with the project.

Many of the new jobs are being created in rural areas, informed the report with workers earning between Rs500-Rs800 per day.

Killing two birds with one stone: giving people employment as well planting trees. pic.twitter.com/ZrYs6ZarO3

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 1, 2020

Rab Nawaz, of WWF-Pakistan, was of the view that the government's move is "a very good idea to create green jobs and get people employed."

However, he cautioned that planting trees is just one tool in the fight against climate change, saying they're also needed to be an investment in improving the ability of farmers and city dwellers to adapt to the effects of a hotter planet.

"The government should be very selective on how it spends money, and focus on resilience," he urged.