KARACHI: Dr Zeelaf Munir, CEO of English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM) and vice chairperson of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), has called on businesses in Pakistan to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, warning that climate change poses an increasing threat to supply chains, particularly in Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Dialogue on Economy, Dr Munir highlighted how climate disruptions — including severe floods and droughts — are exacerbating supply chain vulnerabilities, with 90 per cent of EBM’s key ingredients sourced from nature.
The two-day event, held from January 28-29 in Islamabad, brought together key government, policy, diplomatic and multilateral decision-makers and officials from the private sector to address Pakistan’s most pressing economic challenges. One of the central topics discussed was the role of sustainability in ensuring business resilience amid the climate crisis.
In her comments at the panel ‘Climate Change: Challenges & Opportunities for the Private Sector’, Senator Sherry Rehman, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, pointed out that the lack of a stable regulatory environment and inconsistent electricity pricing continue to obstruct businesses’ ability to adopt sustainable practices. She urged the PBC to create a knowledge and certification portal for green business benchmarks and to encourage circularity in operations.
Dr Munir echoed these concerns, pushing for governments to provide greater incentives for businesses to adopt responsible practices. She called for tax credits and policy support to encourage deeper sustainability efforts and stressed the importance of strengthening industry-academia partnerships and promoting innovation to tackle waste management and build a circular economy.
The panel also highlighted the need for businesses to be incentivized for their climate actions, particularly those transitioning to renewable energy. However, it noted that significant challenges remain in addressing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions — indirect emissions that occur throughout the supply chain. Additionally, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) require more support to decarbonize and manage climate risks effectively.
Research from the Centre for Excellence in Responsible Business (CERB) indicates that while businesses recognize the risks posed by climate change, many are still unprepared to take action. Environmental health issues such as air pollution and water scarcity are having a direct impact on employee well-being, supply chains, and productivity.
The dialogue concluded with a call for increased research into supply chain vulnerabilities, stronger capacity-building across the private sector, and better access to climate data for policymakers. Enhanced reporting requirements by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) were also recommended to ensure that companies accurately assess and report climate-related risks.
