Following is the text of press note

Following is the text of press note issued by Press Information Department (PID) Quote The Federal Minister for Environment and Women Development Samina Khalid Ghurki has said that environmental degradation activities have increased strong impacts on natural resources of our Earth. Trees are the beauty of the nature that safeguards the Earth by different ways and means. Collective efforts have to be made for the sustainability of life system on this Earth and for this purpose, healthy and environment friendly activities should be made. She said that business community should play its due role to meet the environmental obligations. She expressed these views while addressing in ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards distribution ceremony here today.

Samina Khalid Ghurki further said that business community also has to play pivotal role in providing the desired stimulus and support to the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to successfully overcome the challenges of the 21st Century. She said that rapidly changing socio-economic environment, places greater responsibilities and demands on the business community to set and pursue environmental strategies that will generate self sustaining environmental processes to generate the business community's contribution traditionally. From Pakistan's perspective, sustainability reporting will help to keep Pakistani companies globally benchmarked in all aspects of their operations, she said.

Federal Minister said that it is imperative that Pakistani companies also meet their environmental obligations while introducing and pursuing transparent reporting system to remain competitive in global market. She was of the view that the Ministry of Environment has always encouraged the environment friendly activities throughout the country. Ministry of Environment always plays its leading role to promote all segments of the society to promote awareness about environment. She was of the view that healthy environment is key for social and economic development of the country.

During the address, Federal Minister appealed that WWF and ACCA may jointly establish a platform for the corporate sector in Pakistan to develop the voluntary market for the purchase of carbon credits generated from saving trees and avoiding deforestation under REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation). In this regard, the Ministry of Environment will extend all possible support for this noble cause.