Tackling economy, environment simultaneously

Climate Change Ministry launches guidebook for understanding CDM.

ISLAMABAD:

With the aim to promote the understanding of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Ministry of Climate Change has introduced a CDM guidebook for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The guidebook was launched by Federal Minister for Climate Change Rana Farooq Saeed Khan at the ministry here on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference following the launching ceremony, the minister said that the CDM, which is based on a reward system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, offers economic growth and environmental benefits to Pakistan at the same time.

“At a time when Pakistan is ranked among the top 10 countries reeling under climate change impacts, mitigation and adaptation measures are inevitable to tackle the effects of global warming,” said Khan.

Under the system, countries can sell carbon credits in an international market by implementing CDM projects. Secretary Mahmood Alam said, “I am sure [the CDM guidebook] will be instrumental in actualising national CDM potentials to reduce emission of greenhouse gases and earn carbon credits at the same time.”

Alam said Pakistan is grappling with acute energy crisis and thermal energy projects are one of the biggest source of greenhouse gas emission. “Therefore any intervention involving projects that help cut these emissions will not only decrease the burden on the national grid but will also help in reducing the adverse effects of global warming.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2012.