LAHORE (Staff Report) -WWF’s latest report on climate change ‘Crossing the Divide:How to Reduce the Emissions Abyss 2’, shows how key countries can begin work now to close the ‘emissions gap’ – the gap between promised carbon reductions and what science tells us is needed.
The countries featured in the latest report of WWF’s are mainly middle income and oil-rich countries, including Pakistan, Philippines, Kenya, Turkey, Colombia, UAE, Russia, Poland and the UK.
The report titled as “Crossing the Divide: How to Close the Emissions Abyss 2” tells that how key countries can begin work now to close the ‘emissions gap’ – the gap between promised carbon reductions and what science tells us is needed.
As the first wave of countries submit their national contributions to combat climate change in the period after 2020, it is already becoming clear that we are facing another huge emissions gap. This builds on an already existing emissions gap in the pre-2020 period. If governments continue on a low ambition path, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay below the 2oC, let alone a 1.5oC threshold.
The report suggests possible ways to reduce emissions that can help to adapt and mitigate climate change in Pakistan, such as:-
- Increase use of renewable energy
- Create a policy framework to encourage renewable energy
- Increase energy efficiency
- Reduce deforestation and forest degradation
According to Farrukh Zaman, Policy Officer, Building Capacity on Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Areas of Pakistan (CCAP) project, WWF-Pakistan, who also contributed to Pakistan’s chapter in the report, ‘The period between now and 2020 offers a unique opportunity to close the emissions gigatonne gap and keep the global temperature below 2 degrees, which is considered as a safe upper limit to avoid dangerous impacts of climate change.
Many mitigation actions that are already taking place in many parts of the world have proven to be socially and economically feasible and can be implemented without any additional burden on countries. In many countries, especially developing ones, such actions are also reaping economic benefits for governments and the public, while simultaneously addressing climate change.’
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan, said,‘climate change is a transboundary issue and a responsibility for every country, whether a major climate change contributor or not, to adapt and mitigate to climate change. Strong and immediate climate action is required at all levels for the betterment of Pakistan as it will benefit us in the long run.’
Tasneem Essop, WWF’s head of delegation to the UN climate negotiations says there is plenty of ways governments around the world can limit their pre-2020 emissions. ‘These range from scrapping coal-fired power stations and increasing renewables to improving energy efficiency, strengthening emissions targets and addressing deforestation.’
The report urges the world’s governments to show will and determination to adapt and mitigate climate change immediately.
