Pakistan is on its way to create history by setting up world’s biggest and largest 1,000 MW solar park. The primary objective of this mega project is to promote renewable energy in the country as stated by the Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on Tuesday.
In addition to this development, the minister further added that Pakistan has also endorsed National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2016. The notion behind the enactment is to encourage effective conservation and efficient use of energy.
Zahid Hamid recently led a Pakistani delegation in Morocco to take part in COP22 Conference. The minister took the platform as an opportunity to showcase the achievements Pakistan has made in addressing climate change. He also informed the global community that Pakistan’s influence and contribution to global warming is minimal. He stated:
“We emit less than 1 % of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet we are ranked amongst the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change”
While addressing the world community, the minister also informed them about the challenges and risks that Pakistan face relating to climate change. The potential threats include glacial melt, higher average temperatures, higher frequency of drought, recurrent floods, rise in sea level and variable monsoons. Furthermore, he also added that due millions of people are suffering and enormous damage is caused on regular basis.
Speaking at the conference, Zahid Hamid stated:
“These threats pose major survival concerns for Pakistan, particularly in relation to country’s water security, food security and energy security. They also have enormous adverse consequences for all socio-economic sectors, impeding our ability to promote sustainable growth and development and economic prosperity of our people”
Zahid Hamid also said that the Parliament of Pakistan is the first in the world to become ‘green’ completely by transforming 100% to solar energy. He also informed the world community briefly about his engagements during the conference.
Pakistan is taking significant steps to battle against climate change
The minister informed the global community about the vital steps that Pakistan is taking in combating climate change. He commented:
“We also informed the world that Pakistan, being a responsible member of global community, has taken substantial steps especially during 2016 despite these challenges. It will also enable us to contribute to global mitigation efforts against climate change and keep the temperature rise below 2-degrees Celsius”
He further added that the steps are inclusive of approval of Paris agreement and ratification of Pakistan Climate Change Act 2016 by cabinet for presentation in Parliament.
One of the key steps in combating climate change is the launch of Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Programme. Under the programme, whopping 2 billion trees will be implemented all over the country.
Another vital phase in battling the climate change is the historic Climate Change Bill. The minister stated that the bill will likely establish a top-notch, high-level and policy-making Pakistan Climate Change Council along with Pakistan Climate Change Authority. Zahid Hamid commented that the bill would help in preparing and supervising implementation of adaptation and mitigating projects in several sectors. Moreover, he stated:
“Finalization and submission of Pakistan INDCs to UNFCCC Secretariat will serve as our climate change agenda, taking into account the latest situation relating to our development needs and strategies. That includes updated projections of greenhouse gases emissions and national ambition to reduce these emissions, along with associated financial and technical implications”
While answering to a question, he said:
“We included in delegation those NGOs which were registered with UNFCCC”
When the minister was asked about cutting of trees in Islamabad, he answered:
“The mayor of Islamabad has signed Green Charter to protect and conserve trees in the capital”
Do you think Pakistan would be able to combat the menace of climate change in the future?
Source: Nation
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