National policy initiatives: ‘Scientific information being integrated in development priorities’

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has enacted several national policy initiatives in the areas of forestry, energy conservation, disaster management, and renewable energy development, among others. These policies integrate scientific climate information into development priorities.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid said this while speaking at a national conference on “Integrating SDGs and Climate Change for Resilient Pakistan”, organised by Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan and the Pakistan Red Crescent here on Friday.

The minister said that climate change was affecting every sector in Pakistan including agriculture, industry or exports. According to a German think tank, Pakistan has lost more than $2 billion over the last year due to extreme weather events.

Lead Pakistan CEO Ali Tauqeer Sheikh said, “Pakistan was among the top 10 countries vulnerable to climate change.

“Pakistan is losing billions of dollars each year because of floods, heat waves, cyclones, GLOFs and flash floods,” he said and added that the national conference will sensitize policy-makers to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate resilient policies in developmental plans so that Pakistan can progress on the path of low-carbon growth.

PRC Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi said disaster risks such as unplanned urbanisation, weak enforcement, unchecked construction in flood plains, economic activities in hazard-prone areas, water resource mismanagement, land degradation, desertification, environmental degradation and climate change have increased vulnerabilities further compromising sustainable development.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.