MPs call for climate actions to counter challenges

Islamabad : The parliamentarians hailing from all leading political parties have agreed on undertaking climate actions based on a long-term sustainable approach to counter emerging challenges and threats from Climate Change including in the areas of food, water and energy security.

The MPs were participating in a consultation on ‘Impacts of Climate Change across different sectors of Pakistan,’ organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute here Monday.

MPs thought shifting towards clean energy is the need of the hour for being the safest, reliable, and efficient means of energy production.

Rukhsana Naveed, parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, urged both the treasury and opposition benches to work together to better respond to all the climate-related challenges. She said that both sides can work under a Green Parliamentarian Caucus in the Parliament on the cause of Climate Change to save the nation from climatic hazards. The Caucus can play a great role in mobilising policy makers, leadership across the divide and the common citizens for efficient use of energy and water to achieve the goal of protecting the environment and ecosystem.

MNA Zille Huma said that for decarbonisation and mitigation, Pakistan needs to think beyond just tree plantation and address the reasons that are leading to water, air and land pollution.

MNA Romina Khurshid Alam sharing learning from previous experience said that Climate Change is impacting food security and causing water scarcity.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director, SDPI, said that it is high time for MPs representing various political parties to develop a multi-party consensus on critical challenges Climate Change is posing for the country. He said SDPI will be happy to provide secretarial and research support to the parliamentarians willing to work on Climate Change issues. He said that The SDPI is working on climate induced migration amongst women, impacts of coal and potential of renewable energy transition in Thar region and the pathway for green Economy-perspectives for a Clean Energy Transition (CET) in Pakistan.

MN Riaz Fatyana who is also head of task force on SDGs was of the view that food, water and energy security are part of SDGs commitments on which we have to take action now.