Climate change ministry to seek funds for awareness raising

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of climate change will seek funds from government as well financial support from non-government organisations and other resources to raise awareness about environment issues and to initiate studies. 

It was decided during a meeting of the board of governors of ‘Global Change Impact Study Centre’, said a statement on Monday. Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid and other officials attended the meeting.  

The meeting proposed the initiation of training programmes and mentoring of board members by researchers. It was also proposed to promote climate change studies, especially master programme in this field and measures for better understanding of the climate changes.

The meeting presented various recommendations, including taking into consideration the marine coastal lines and desert lines and proper time framework for working of the board.  The members discussed basics and implementation framework of board of the Global Change Impact Study Centre. 

The meeting started with an approval of 3rd board of governors meeting. It introduced basic research goals and methods, projects and models and focused on the provision of basic framework for management.  A lack of study about glaciers was also highlighted along with water capacity in ground waters and rivers. 

A discussion about increase in numbers of board members was also discussed along with capacity building of board entities, including technical, institutional, infrastructure, communication capacities and memo items (concept of corporate capabilities). 

Board members discussed the hiring of social scientists along with technical experts. They approved addition of seats in the board.  Minister Hamid proposed to add ‘climate’ in the name of the Global Change Impact Study Centre. It was affirmed that foreign affairs and education entities must be made a part of the board. 

The centre was established in 2002 as research institute for climate change studies in the country. It is mandated for research and development efforts at the national level, capacity building, policy analysis, information dissemination and assistance to national planners and policymakers on issues related to past and projected future climatic changes in the country. 

The centre highlights climate change impacts on the key socioeconomic sectors, including water, food, agriculture, energy, forestry, health and ecology sectors. It also promotes appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures.