Climate change funds inadequate: minister

Islamabad: To tackle extreme climate change impacts, the government has developed comprehensive policies and plans that include both adaptation and mitigation measures, said Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on Tuesday.

He, however, complained about inadequate funds in this respect. "The magnitude of the required financing is enormous. The unavailability of adequate finances is the main issue. According to the study commissioned by the government for preparing our Intended Nationally Determined Contributions which were submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat last year, Pakistan requires $40 billion by 2030 for mitigation measures to reduce our expected greenhouse gases emissions by 20 per cent and up to $14 billion annually to adapt to climate change impacts. We hope that the financial commitments in the Paris Agreement regarding the availability of at least $100 billion per year by 2020 will be realised," the minister told the inaugural session of the National Workshop on 'Forging Partnerships for Climate Compatible Development' here. The event was organised by the Lead Pakistan with the collaboration of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network Programme in Pakistan.

The minister said the adverse impacts of climate change were of immense concern for Pakistan. "Pakistan contributes only 0.8 per cent to total annual global greenhouse gas emissions, ranking 135th in the world," he said. The minister said the government had strengthened policy and institutional responses to climate change issues with the latest being the enactment of the Pakistan Climate Change Bill.

He said the new law established three important institutions, including Pakistan Climate Change Council, Pakistan Climate Change Authority and Pakistan Climate Change Fund. "The Pakistan Climate Change Council shall be the apex policy-making body. Its functions include: approval and monitoring implementation of comprehensive adaptation and mitigation policies, plans and projects to meet Pakistan’s obligations under international conventions and agreements and approval of guidelines for the protection and conservation of renewable and non-renewable resources, species, habitats, and biodiversity in general."

He said the authority  would also be responsible for the establishment of institutional and policy mechanisms for implementation of federal and provincial adaptation and mitigation policies, plans and projects, including plans for renewable energy and clean technology, measures for energy efficiency and energy conservation; and awareness-raising and capacity-building programmes. CEO of Lead Pakistan Ali Tauqeer Sheikh briefed participants about the working and achievements of his organisation.