Punjab govt, LEAD Pakistan signed MoU over climate change policy

LAHORE (Staff Report) - Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Punjab government to formulate Punjab Climate Change Policy.

The LEAD Pakistan signed the memorandum with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Punjab government, Department of Planning and Development to formulate the Punjab Climate Change Policy and providing strategic benefits of research, management, training, capacity building and development programs on low-carbon development and economic growth.

The MoU was signed by LEAD Pakistan CEO Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Environment Protection Secretary Dr Iqbal Muhammad Chauhan and Planning and Development Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo.

According to the memorandum, LEAD Pakistan will help in the capacity building of EPA and Planning and Development in different aspects of climate compatible development, provide technical expertise to the policy development process, and help coordinate, consult and engage relevant stakeholders in the preparation to draft Provincial Climate Change Policy and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Action Plans; and assess their capacity for implementation and recommending policy measures for capacity building of stakeholders.

Information will also be collected from various government departments regarding climatic variations in Punjab and their impact.

All parties mutually agreed to highlight the contribution of Pakistan, especially Punjab to the global greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions and suggesting measures to reduce them, with a particular focus on incorporating them in the provincial Climate Change policy.

The memorandum will help to identify the relevant stakeholders including provincial departments, civil society organisations, academic and research institutions having roles and responsibilities in Climate Change mitigation and adaptation in Punjab province.

Ali Tauqeer, “LEAD Pakistan will assist in the capacity building of members of P&DD, EPA and members of the extended team for the development of the climate change policy.

Moreover, LEAD Pakistan will provide technical assistance in setting up a Climate Cell in P&DD, and if necessary maintain a physical presence in the P&DD office to facilitate and support climate compatible development.”

A study will also be conducted in this regard and analysis of all existing policies, plans, strategies such as Annual Development Program of Punjab, Development Strategy, Agriculture Policy, Forest Policy, National Climate Change Policy, Provincial and District Disaster Management Plans etc. will be done, so that it can be integrated in the draft Climate Change policy recommendations.

It’s also aimed that this understanding will help to identify areas vulnerable to natural disasters and unpredictable climatic changes using Geographical Information System (GIS) and giving policy recommendations to enhance resilience of people to cope with climate change.