MoU signed to formulate Punjab Climate Change Policy

LAHORE

The Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan signed an MoU with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Government of Punjab and Planning and Development Department (P&DD), Government of Punjab, to formulate the Punjab Climate Change Policy and provide strategic benefits of research, management, training, capacity building and development programmes on low-carbon development and economic growth.

The MoU was signed by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, CEO, Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan and Director Asia Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Dr Iqbal Muhammad Chauhan, Provincial Secretary Environment Protection Department (EPD) Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Secretary P&DD.

The LEAD Pakistan will help in the capacity building of the EPA and P&DD Punjab in different aspects of climate compatible development, provide technical expertise to the policy development process and help coordinate, consult and engage relevant stakeholders in the preparation to draft the Provincial Climate Change Policy and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Action Plans and assess their capacity for implementation and recommending policy measures for capacity building of stakeholders.

 Information will also be collected from various government departments regarding the climatic variations in Punjab and their impact. All parties mutually agreed to highlight the contribution of Pakistan, especially Punjab, to the global greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions and suggest measures to reduce them, with a particular focus on incorporating them in the Provincial Climate Change policy.

 The MoU will help to identify the relevant stakeholders including provincial departments, civil society organisations, academic and research institutions having roles and responsibilities in the climate change mitigation and adaptation in Punjab province.

 It will also help to address issues such as disaster preparedness, capacity building, institutional strengthening and technology transfer to steer Punjab towards climate resilient development and incorporate them in the provincial policy on climate change.

 According to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, CEO, LEAD Pakistan, ‘LEAD Pakistan will assist in the capacity building of members of the P&DD, EPA and members of the extended team for the development of Punjab’s Climate Change Policy. Moreover, the LEAD Pakistan will provide technical assistance in setting up a Climate Cell at the P&DD and if necessary maintain a physical presence at the P&DD office to facilitate and support climate compatible development’.