Since an early age, I gravitated towards the lush mountain forests of Pakistan, where I felt truly alive. As I matured, this deep connection with nature, coupled with the threat of climate change ignited a passion for environmental protection within me.
After graduating in economics, I pursued a postgraduate degree in Environment, Politics, and Development. It was during this academic journey that I discovered the significance of climate finance, revealing its potential not only in mitigating climate change, but also in providing colonial reparations to the Global South. Towards the end of my masters, I focused my dissertation on crafting policy frameworks for developing carbon markets in Pakistan.
After completing my postgraduate degree, I was fortunate enough to land a position as a research associate at Redshaw Advisors, a leading carbon markets consultancy based in London. I delved deep into the intricacies of carbon markets, conducting fundamental analyses of both voluntary and compliance carbon markets, while also gaining expertise in Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
My journey with Redshaw Advisors offered me a profound understanding of carbon offsetting, emphasising the importance of proactive measures over reactive solutions. I aim to motivate my friends and family to reduce their carbon footprint by showing them the wonders of nature and how simple adjustments in our consumer choices can help protect them. I advocate for simple lifestyle changes—such as reducing waste, not opting for receipts, and buying recyclable or biodegradable products—as potent tools in combating climate change. Cumulative individual efforts have a huge compounding effect and endorse social cohesion.
While sharing alarming facts from IPCC reports emphasises the urgency, I firmly believe that the solution to addressing climate change lies in fostering a deep sense of compassion for our planet, rather than being driven solely by the fear of its demise.