"There is an inbuilt logic of cooperation within climate change"
Channel: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Date: 2013-11-22

Dr. Adil Najam is a leading global expert on issues related to developing country environmental policy, especially climate change. Until recently he served as the Vice Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Currently he teaches at the Boston Univeristy (USA) as a Professor of International Relations, Earth and Environment.

Najam is one of the speakers at the foundations lecture series "Understand Pakistan". In this interview, that was conducted on November 11, 2013, the climate change expert speaks about his expectations for the COP19 in Warsaw. He underlines the importance of international agreements and calls for immediate action. He doesn't expect a significant accord to be signed in Warsaw this year - even though he wishes an agreement to be made. 

Of more importance for Najam is the idea of cooperation that lies within climate change. "My hope is, that climate change will bring countries together  - on the issues of water, energy, food security, technology transfer, industrial location, etc. Then the logic of cooperation will jump over the logic of competition and conflict".

Interview: Jelena Nikolic