Punjab formulates first Climate Change Policy

LAHORE:The Punjab government on Wednesday reviewed the manuscript of Pakistan’s first Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy 2020-24.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presided over the review meeting and said that on the directions of Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif, Climate Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy has been formulated for the first time in the history of Pakistan.

Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy will prove to be a game changer for the elimination of environment pollution. She said that the role of stakeholders will be laid down in the Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy with regard to environmental pollution. Every stakeholder will work under the Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy. Various projects relating to ‘Green Development’ and ‘Green Energy’ are ongoing in Punjab.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s environment friendly steps will open up new avenues of progress in the province. The senior minister said that Climate Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy will enable to cope with the prevailing smog hazards, high temperature and floods owing to adverse climate change effects.

The damages being incurred to the environment owing to implementation on 10-year Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy can be averted. On the directions of the CM, the Punjab government is introducing Rs100 billion development projects for the improvement of environment. Solar Penal Project is going to be launched for the promotion of renewable green energy. Small dams project are going to be launched for rain-fed areas and flood zones. Preparation of famine and heatwave management plan and its implementation will be completed in a span of two years, the minister said.

One lakh healthcare professionals will be imparted training in order to cope up with the confronting health issues on account of adverse climate change effects, the minister added. A flood management plan will constitute for the flood management high risk areas. The task with regard to regulating ground water up to 100 percent under the Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy will be carried out, she said.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said latest ever electric buses and e-bikes are being introduced for the eradication of smog in the province. An effective crackdown on smog emitting vehicles is ongoing swiftly. The Climate Change Action Plan and Punjab Climate Change Policy depicts ‘Green Policy’ of the CM. Head of Urban Unit Muhammad Omer Masood, Secretary Environment Raja Jehangir Anwar and other relevant officials attended the meeting.