Climate change conference: Pakistan hasn’t submitted contribution to UN
INDCs are pledges put forward by developing and non-developing countries
INDCs are pledges put forward by developing and non-developing countries. PHOTO: http://www.mocc.gov.pk/
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan is lagging behind in its preparation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) Secretariat in October.
Climate Change Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan told The Express Tribune that he had instructed the environment director-general (DG) on July 24 to distribute responsibilities among officers both for internal work and external coordination with other ministries, and had set a deadline of July 31 for submission.
The ‘COP21-UNFCCC’ summit will take place in Paris this October. The secretary said he has also issued stern directives against any joint secretary (JS), deputy secretary (DS) or director from proceeding abroad on any conference or meeting until work for the conference is complete.
Sources within the ministry said the preparation of Pakistan’s INDCs had picked up pace earlier in the year, but had slowed since June. They also claim key ministry officials involved in the preparation of the INDCs lack the capacity to finalise these contributions.
However, DG Environment Irfan Tariq, who is currently monitoring the preparation of the INDCs, told The Express Tribune that he has distributed responsibilities within the ministry for the report’s finalisation. He also said the ministries for foreign affairs, interior, planning and development and finance are being approached for coordination and preparation of INDCs in a holistic manner.
Former DG environment at the climate change ministry, Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta, claims steps including holding meetings with stakeholders were carried out as per schedule. The former DG said work on INDCs preparation began in the first quarter of the year, with work accelerating in May and June, but slowing significantly at the start of July.
Bhutta lamented the current situation where the ministry is dependant technically and financially on NGOs for a national consultative process with various stakeholders from government and private sectors. He also opined that the federal minister is being kept in the dark regarding the daily progress of INDCs preparation.
India has already announced its INDC submission to the UNFCCC secretariat by mid-August. Climate experts say Pakistan should be able to submit its INDCs by the end of September. In October, the UNFCCC secretariat will compile a synthesis report on how these INDCs are expected to impact overall emissions globally.
INDCs are pledges which nearly 200 developed and developing countries have put forward to the UNFCCC. In the INDCs, countries pledge proposals on what each country plans to do about climate change in terms of mitigation and adaptation. INDCS are said to be the basis for the two-week global climate conference, and will be implemented from 2020.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2015.
Pakistan is lagging behind in its preparation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) Secretariat in October.
Climate Change Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan told The Express Tribune that he had instructed the environment director-general (DG) on July 24 to distribute responsibilities among officers both for internal work and external coordination with other ministries, and had set a deadline of July 31 for submission.
The ‘COP21-UNFCCC’ summit will take place in Paris this October. The secretary said he has also issued stern directives against any joint secretary (JS), deputy secretary (DS) or director from proceeding abroad on any conference or meeting until work for the conference is complete.
Sources within the ministry said the preparation of Pakistan’s INDCs had picked up pace earlier in the year, but had slowed since June. They also claim key ministry officials involved in the preparation of the INDCs lack the capacity to finalise these contributions.
However, DG Environment Irfan Tariq, who is currently monitoring the preparation of the INDCs, told The Express Tribune that he has distributed responsibilities within the ministry for the report’s finalisation. He also said the ministries for foreign affairs, interior, planning and development and finance are being approached for coordination and preparation of INDCs in a holistic manner.
Former DG environment at the climate change ministry, Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta, claims steps including holding meetings with stakeholders were carried out as per schedule. The former DG said work on INDCs preparation began in the first quarter of the year, with work accelerating in May and June, but slowing significantly at the start of July.
Bhutta lamented the current situation where the ministry is dependant technically and financially on NGOs for a national consultative process with various stakeholders from government and private sectors. He also opined that the federal minister is being kept in the dark regarding the daily progress of INDCs preparation.
India has already announced its INDC submission to the UNFCCC secretariat by mid-August. Climate experts say Pakistan should be able to submit its INDCs by the end of September. In October, the UNFCCC secretariat will compile a synthesis report on how these INDCs are expected to impact overall emissions globally.
INDCs are pledges which nearly 200 developed and developing countries have put forward to the UNFCCC. In the INDCs, countries pledge proposals on what each country plans to do about climate change in terms of mitigation and adaptation. INDCS are said to be the basis for the two-week global climate conference, and will be implemented from 2020.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2015.