EU envoy says Pakistan doing well in climate change, environmental issues; supports multilateral approach; Amin Aslam spells out govt priorities

by ANSAR M BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19 (DNA): Ambassador-designate of the European Union, Androulla Kaminara has said: “The EU remains committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change and its full implementation while progressing steadily with the finalization of the measures to reduce emissions by at least 40% by 2030.

She said climate change does not affect all countries in the same way and of course not all countries are responsible for climate change crisis.

“It has been proved that in already stressed societies climate change multiplies their woes. I have seen myself climate change affecting badly various countries”.

She made these remarks while speaking on the occasion of Climate Change Diplomacy Day.

The European Union and WWF-Pakistan on Sunday joined hands to promote action on climate change by celebrating Climate Diplomacy Day in Islamabad.

The event brought together people from diverse backgrounds to become part of the exchanges taking place worldwide in the crucial reflection on how to explore the opportunities arising through the irreversible transition to low carbon economies while ensuring equitable access to sustainable development.

Malik Amin Aslam Prime Minister Adviser on Climate Change was the chief guest while members of civil society and diplomatic corps participated in the event in large numbers.

The event kicked off with the participants cycling from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on a designated route as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness to curtail the growth of greenhouse emissions by promoting eco-friendly modes of transportation.

The event then moved on to a screening of documentary followed by a debate competition among students of various Islamabad schools. Student of Islamabad Model College for Girls Saleha Ahmed won the debate competition.

The EU ambassador further said the objective of this sustained engagement was for the EU to raise global climate ambition together with its partners, in particular those the most exposed to the negative side effects of climate change.

The ambassador said the EU always supports multilateral solutions as they are much more effective especially to deal with issues such as climate change.

Ms. Androulla Kaminara further said Climate change requires collective action and the EU remains committed to continue working hand in hand with Pakistan, listed amongst the most vulnerable countries despite the low level of its global carbon emissions, she added.

She said the EU has earmarked 180 million euros for various climate change related projects in Pakistan. She also pin-pointed areas in which the EU plans to help Pakistan in order to overcome its climate change and environment related issues.

“We have a program which is dealing with energy resources management in the sugar industry. Industry project relates to dairy and horticulture field while the third project deals with environmental standard application for SMEs in Pakistan”.

She said the EU also plans to undertake a project in Baluchistan in order to help government exploit all available resources.

Prime Minister Adviser on climate change Malik Amin Aslam spelled out government priorities in climate change and environmental related issues adding the government planned to ban plastic bags all over Pakistan.

He said the ban was going on well in Islamabad and thanked people of twin cities for extending full cooperation to government on this particular issue.

He said the PTI govt led by Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to a greener Pakistan and plantation of billion trees was a clear manifestation of govt strong resolve in this regard.

Rab Nawaz, Senior Director Programmes, WWF-Pakistan said that climate change is a bitter reality that poses a greater threat to our present and future generations. Pakistan is at risk of climate related natural hazards as we have been witnessing widespread rains, super floods, frequent heatwaves and temperature rise and incidences of coastal flooding and sea intrusion. Nature-based solutions such as large-scale plantation drives, protection of existing forests, promotion of renewable energy and conservation of water resources should be adopted to address this grave challenge. He emphasized the need for unprecedented action to tackle the issue of climate change at the local, regional and global levels. He appreciated the activism of youth and civil society organizations in recent Climate March events held in different cities all over Pakistan and stressed that youth being the future guardian of this planet, should come forward and do act to reverse the climate change.

To discuss the impacts of climate change and bring forth practical solutions, a speech competition was held on the theme ‘Youth for Climate Action’ amongst the students. A total of 30 youngsters from 10 private and government colleges and universities, in the 14 to 22 years age group, participated in the competition. The best young speaker received a cash prize of PKR 25,000 and an acknowledgement certificate by the chief guest.

At conclusion of the event, all participants signed a pledge wall and showed their concerns about threats of climate change. That showed a commitment to fight the grave climate change challenge by planting more trees, conserving water, reducing carbon footprint and changing lifestyles.

Each year, the European Union around the world celebrates Climate Diplomacy Day with events taking place to highlight climate action in the EU and beyond. Conferences, citizens’ debates, exhibitions, films and social media activities aim to encourage informed debate and a joint response to the climate challenge. These events build on the momentum of the Paris Agreement – the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal agreed in Paris in December 2015.

”=DNA

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