ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Minister for Climate Change, Zahid Hamid on Tuesday said Pakistan was setting up world’s largest 1000 MW solar park as part of its plans to promote renewable energy.
Pakistan has also enacted National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2016 to promote effective conservation and efficient use of energy, he said this while addressing a press conference.
The minister led a Pakistani delegation to participate in COP22 Conference held in Morroco which provided an opportunity to signify achievements made in addressing climate change despite being adversely impacted.
He said world community was informed that Pakistan’s contribution to global warming is minimal, adding that “We emit less than 1 % of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet we are ranked amongst the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change.”
The world community was also informed that Pakistan today faces several major risks relating to climate change including glacial melt, variable monsoons, recurrent floods, rise in sea level, higher average temperatures and higher frequency of droughts.
He said millions of people are affected and colossal damage is caused on recurring basis.
“These threats pose major survival concerns for Pakistan, particularly in relation to country’s water security, food security and energy security.
They also have enormous adverse consequences for all socio-economic sectors, impeding our ability to promote sustainable growth and development and economic prosperity of our people,” highlighted by the minister.
He said, “We also informed the world that Pakistan, being a responsible member of global community, has taken substantial steps especially during 2016 despite these challenges.
It will also enable us to contribute to global mitigation efforts against climate change and keep the temperature rise below 2-degrees Celsius, he said and added these included ratification of Paris Agreement and approval of Pakistan Climate Change Act-2016 by cabinet for presentation in Parliament.
He said launch of Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Programme to be implemented all over the country to tune of Rs 2 billion.
The other initiative was historic Pakistan Climate Change Bill which will establish a high-level, policy-making Pakistan Climate Change Council, along with Pakistan Climate Change Authority, to prepare and supervise implementation of adaptation and mitigation projects in various sectors.
Finalization and submission of Pakistan INDCs to UNFCCC Secretariat will serve as our climate change agenda, taking into account the latest situation relating to our development needs and strategies.
It includes updated projections of greenhouse gases emissions and our national ambition to reduce these emissions, along with associated financial and technical implications, he said.
The minister said Pakistan has developed a National Sustainable Development Strategy and became perhaps the first country in the world whose National Assembly passed a unanimous Resolution adopting the SDGs Agenda as its own national development agenda.
Pakistan Parliament is also the first Parliament in the world to become completely ‘’green” by converting 100% to solar energy.
Zahid Hamid also briefed about his engagements during COP-22 and highlighted side events attended by him during the Conference.
Answering a question, he said, “We included in delegation those NGOs which were registered with UNFCCC.
“We need to work on energy efficiency and conservation as well, he said while replying to a question about cutting of trees in Islamabad that Mayor of Islamabad has signed Green Charter to protect and conserve trees in Islamabad.
