Lahore, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):Climate change has adversely affected Pakistan, which is resulting in unstable environmental conditions. To alter the adverse effects of climate change, The University of Lahore (UOL) is adopting environmental conservation practices. Prominent among these approaches are; the use of renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, biomass), energy and water efficient appliances, collaboration with different organizations, hazardous waste management, and the conversion of kitchen and organic waste to compost.
UOL is already using different sources of renewable energy and a solar power generation system is in place. One biogas plant and many solar panels are installed on the roof tops, and the energy produced by them is used for different purposes in different departments.
The biogas plant uses biomass resources such as cattle dung, agriculture wastes, and other organic wastes to produce biogas, which is an environmentally friendly, cheap, and versatile fuel that is used for cooking purposes in the cafeteria of the university. On campus, a rainwater harvesting system is in operation, where rainwater is collected and used to irrigate lawns. The university has also implemented a water conservation program on campus.
Apart from these practical measures, UOL is also academically working on energy-efficient plans and conducting research in this domain. For this purpose, the Department of Environmental Sciences is offering courses related to environmental conservation, such as climate change, biodiversity and conservation, applied ecology, climate change mitigation, and adaptation. The department also organises different activities related to environmental conservation, such as awareness walks, plantation drives, and the protection of water resources through cleaning campaigns and field visits.
Currently, significant research studies are being conducted on environmental conservation within the scope of national and international collaboration. UOL is collaborating with researchers from different national institutions, including the University of the Punjab, Govt. College University Faisalabad, Lahore College for Women University, Pak-Green Environ-Engineering Pvt. Limited, Lahore, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, NIAB, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (Energy Wing), Islamabad, Soil and Water Testing Lab., Lahore, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, etc.
At the global level, the university has collaborated working on varied projects in partnerships with researchers from international institutions such as Korea University, the University of Queensland Australia, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the University of Western Australia, the University of Eastern Finland, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland, etc. In the long run, UOL is aiming to establish a “Centre of Excellence in Climate Change” to further bolster the research work in the domain of climate change.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk