Nov 03 , 2015
News
Pakistan taking steps to combat climate change challenges: Aziz
APPISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on that Pakistan is committed and taking a number of steps to face the climate change challenges as it is more serious and biggest challenge than terrorism.
Addressing a function at Institute of Strategic Studies on 'Climate Change and International Security', the adviser said the world is facing threats from the climate changes that need cooperation and coordination at global level. He said massive floods, drought, earthquake and many other reasons are the basic causes for the growing climate changes and posing a threat to the world.
Azis said all these challenges needed huge amounts of funds, concerted efforts and strong commitment as it is more dangerous threat to the human kind as compared to terrorism due to deaths and destructions.
Pakistan had adopted a comprehensive policy to deal with the climate challenges and it will be possible through bilateral and multi-lateral agreements and cooperation, he remarked. He said capacity building, introduction of modern technology and change in the attitude towards environment friendly attitude would also be helpful in facing the climate change challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, French Ambassador Martine Dorance said due to rise in global temperature, there is need to take the climate change issue seriously. She said Pakistan is one of the most affected country due to climate change issues and expressed the hope that the international conference being held in Paris will be helpful in finding ways and means to face the challenges in climate change.
Deputy Special Representative for the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) Philippe Lacoste highlighted the aims and objectives of the conference and emphasised the need for joint and coordinated efforts to face the climate change challenges through out the world. He said there is a need for an international deal to tackle climate change to be negotiated in Paris and it should include checks on compliance. The conference will be attended by at least 80 world leaders.
Philippe Lacoste said the main objective of the conference is to unite all the nations in a single agreement on tackling climate change, with the goal of capping warming at two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution level. He said each signatory's progress would be reviewed every five years to reinforce mutual confidence and promote efficient implementation. He said the Paris Climate Conference will make efforts for transition towards green, low-carbon development that is sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change.
Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Arif Ahmad Khan said the government had initiated different projects and initiatives to face climate change challenges and to ensure climate friendly atmosphere. He said five to seven percent of the federal budget under different heads is being spent on climate related projects adding that efforts are being made to increase use of non-fossil fuels.
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) Director General Ambassador Masood Khan, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood and ISSI Board of Governor chairman also spoke on the occasion.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk