News Desk |
Climate change has been highlighted as the challenge of the century. Pakistan has been highlighted as being among the most vulnerable countries to the menace. This was why Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) even before coming to power had started a campaign to combat climate change. The effort strengthened after the PTI formed the federal government. Many private sector enterprises are also rising to assist the government in this regard.
JS Bank has become Pakistan’s first financial institution to have been accredited by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest climate fund. The Fund aims to provide facilities to private sector corporations in emerging economies for limiting or reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through investments in low-emission and climate-resilient programs.
GCF was established to limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries, and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
As an accredited entity, JS Bank will be able to apply for funding of up to USD 250 million per project. Currently, the Fund has 102 active projects worldwide and has a pledged total of USD 10.3 Billion. JS Bank can also mobilize additional funds from private sector investors to support action on climate change. In addition to opening new paths of local and international funding, the Bank can partner in contributions to climate adaptation and mitigation financing in Pakistan. This approval was based on JS Bank meeting GCF’s stringent criteria including fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards and specialized capacities in driving climate action.
Being responsible to the environment, JS also became the first commercial bank in Pakistan to be certified as a Green Office by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Pakistan) and is incessantly working to play its part. And in its continued efforts to promote youth development and confront climate change, it recently sponsored two delegates to visit the Conference of the Parties (COP24) and represent Pakistan – a meeting of the governing body on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Read more: JS bank tackles climate change at COP24
As per the Global Climate Risk Index 2018, Pakistan is the seventh most vulnerable country facing long-term climate risk. Hence, there is an urgent need to embark upon multiple initiatives to mitigate the impact of climate change. With presence in 172 cities in Pakistan, JS Bank has a strong commitment to sustainable development and will continue working with customers, clients, businesses and the government to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. The Bank has a demonstrated record of undertaking environmental and social initiatives in the areas of clean energy, energy efficiency, transport, and infrastructure.
JS Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in Pakistan, with 345 branches in 172 cities including one international branch. The Bank is a leader in the digital banking space and distribution of insurance solutions. JS Bank has received the prestigious award for Best Environmental and Social Governance Bank at the Pakistan Banking Awards 2017. The Bank is part of JS Group, one of Pakistan’s most diversified and progressive financial services groups.
Read more: Green Initiative: Banking sector helps fight climate change in Gwadar
GCF is a unique global platform supported by close to 200 countries to respond to climate change by investing in low-emission and climate-resilient development. GCF was established to limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries, and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Given the urgency and seriousness of this challenge, the Fund is mandated to make an ambitious contribution to the united global response to climate change.