ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Thursday said the ministry of climate change would announce the schedule for plastic free federal capital within 10 days.
He said that a comprehensive framework had been developed which would help reduce plastic pollution by phasing out plastic bags and single time use plastic in the capital territory.
“We have a very good model for integrating provinces in this initiative where inclusive and uniform progress will be enabled in this regard,” the Adviser added.
He made these remarks while responding questions of Senators and civil society representative at the Climate Change Caucus public hearing here.
“I have mentioned that forestation is not the only rather the best and effective solution to climate change which has manifold outcomes contributing towards global and local environment conservation,” Amin said.
Responding to the questions raised by the Senators and civil society representative, Amin said, “There is an integrated and well coordinated model set up for 10 Billion Tree Tsunami (10BTT) plantation project. The federal and the provinces have to contribute 50 per cent share in financing the project whereas the provinces have submitted their project cycles (PC-1).”
He added that the Balochistan government had presented a model to the ministry of climate change which includes Juniper tree revival and measures for curbing deforestation.
“Pakistan is the only country that has utilized its own resources in BTT project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after submitting its Nationally Determined Commitments pledged to the Conference of Parties (COP-21) Paris,” he said.
We had meetings in China, the Adviser said for Green Bonds which was something new and propitious for the country’s economic future.
Amin said Gilgit Baltistan was the most vulnerable region of the country as the Chief Secretary wrote to him about the heavy snow falls occurred this season twice in magnitude than last year.
It was the indication of floods as increase in temperature would melt the ice initiating this process, adding we were working to coordinate with the provinces on the emergent situation to take precautionary measures, he said.
Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq inquired the Adviser that why there was much emphasis laid on massive plantation and authorities’ not discouraging wastage of water in agriculture sector. However, Senator Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini demanded the adviser to explain the framework developed for plantation in Balochistan under 10BTT.
“The centuries old archaic Juniper and wild Pistachio trees are being chopped off by some Japanese company working in that area.
There are no trees in Hingol National Park which should be conserved first amid wildlife revival. The adviser should also explain the plants species to be planted under 10BTT,” Senator Jamaldini asked.
Senator Khushbakht Shujjat said that we had to go for a long term policy measures and there was urgent need to include climate change as part of our curriculum so that our youth should be educated at the very basic level.
Senator Gianchand said that the coal fired energy projects had damaging impacts on the environment whereas the Adviser should brief us on the policy formulated in this regard to alleviate the risk.
Executive Director Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change Aisha Khan suggested that there was need to revise national policy and implementation framework for Climate Change. She added that Sustainable Development Goals should also be incorporated in the Climate Change Policy whereas a National Adaptation Plan was must to initiate climate change impacts.
Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women Khawar Mumtaz gave her recommendation to include women in the Climate Change initiatives as owing to their share in the total population of the country it would hamper country’s journey for sustainable development and future for coming generations. She also presented a report conducted by her commission on women to the Adviser and other panelists.
