First climate change policy in place

Sindh cabinet gives green light; aims to mitigate ill effects

KARACHI:

The increased frequency/intensity of heatwaves, drought, water insecurity and air pollution is clear evidence that Sindh has been hard hit by climate change. In a bid to improve the overall environmental condition of the province, the Sindh cabinet on Thursday decided to formulate the first ever 'climate change policy 2022'.

The policy aims to identify the effects of climate change, provide solutions and implement framework/ plans to mitigate its effects, among other objectives - all of which are in line with the National Climate Change Policy.

According to officials, the policy will ensure women, men and other vulnerable groups benefit effectively as they address climate development strategies and planning. It will develop human capital and coordination mechanisms, besides exploring finances in the field of climate change and increase awareness of impacts.

"Pakistan has been ranked eighth among the countries affected by extreme weather events in the Global Climate Risk Index-2020. Therefore, we have formulated a Climate Change Policy 2022 to support global efforts in combating this menace," said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as he presided over the cabinet.

The meeting was attended by all the provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, chief secretary, P&D chairman and other officers concerned of the environment and climate change department. The cabinet was told that Sindh's vulnerability to climate change also causes food insecurity and malnutrition.

Read Climate change: a real threat to Pakistan

It was further stated that water insecurity resulted in decreased crop yields, increased intensity and frequency of heatwaves, as well as higher levels of air pollution. It was pointed that rising sea levels led to salinity and sea intrusion in the deltaic region.

"The drastic changes in marine ecosystems and marine life due to sea instruction and increasing incidence of climate induced migrations is resulting in a socioeconomic burden," said government officials of the climate change department in their presentation to cabinet members.

Cloud policy

The cabinet also approved the information technology-related 'cloud policy'. During a meeting, the IT department said the absence of Cloud policy compelled public sector organisations to work in silos and forced an inefficient use of resources. The department also highlighted related security issues, increased capital costs and infrastructure degradation issues.

The salient features of the 'Cloud First Approach' include economic scale, collaboration among federation and provinces, standardisation, and adoption of emerging tools and technologies.

The provincial government, under the new policy, is to establish a Provincial Cloud Acquisition Office (PCAO) that would be established to support the public sector entity in their transition to cloud storage.

The cloud office would work with other departments and SPPRA to bring the required changes. The cabinet also approved the establishment of a Sindh Digital Technology Board for promotion, planning, execution, supervision, evaluation and regulations of digital technologies to boost the 'digital economy'. They hoped to achieve this by enabling e-government, while also promoting innovation, capacity building, supporting the IT Sector and collaborating with stakeholders at the provincial, federal and international level.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2022.