IN a rare move, the heads of European Union missions stationed in the country have impressed upon the Pakistan government to take urgent action on climate change because the cost of taking no action on adaptation measures would come to $6-14bn annually by 2050.

Pakistan has adopted a national policy but has failed to implement it. In 2013 the climate change ministry was dissolved and its budget slashed. Later the ministry was reduced to the status of a division in the prime minister’s secretariat. Only recently, a new minister of climate change has been appointed.

It is in this context that the EU statement assumes significance. It comes six months ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) to be held in Paris in December this year. The EU wants the conference to reach a comprehensive and binding climate agreement that, among other things, limits global warming to at least below two degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels by reducing emissions. Besides, it must help to reduce the exposure of people to the damage caused by climate disruption. On June 17, the European embassies around the world celebrated Climate Change Diplomacy Day.

Since Pakistan is, so far, one of the lowest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, it would be tempting for it to assume that what will happen in Paris, will not be relevant in Islamabad. Such an approach would be wrong, says the EU statement, because Pakistan is already one of the countries which are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the future. The people of Pakistan, it warns, will risk paying a heavy price if resolute action is not taken here and on a global scale.

‘Pakistan has an ambitious policy for fighting climate change, adopted in 2012, and the structures in place to implement it. It is of crucial importance that this is followed up with the allocation of sufficient resources’

“We, therefore, encourage the Pakistan government to stand with us and show leadership in the global efforts to reach an agreement in Paris. Pakistan already has an ambitious policy for fighting climate change adopted in 2012 and the structures in place to implement it. It is of crucial importance that this is followed up with the allocation of sufficient resources.”

The European diplomats warn that if action is not taken now, the increasing temperatures, extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels will threaten to flood coastal areas, create more droughts and more inland floods. Threats to peace and security will increase in both number and intensity. This is also why the EU has chosen to take the lead globally on climate change issues. “Between 1990 and 2012, we reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19pc. Recently, we have made a commitment to reach a 40pc reduction by 2030. We have set ambitious targets for energy efficiency and green and renewable energy and established the world’s first carbon market.”

Another temptation EU wants Pakistan to avoid is to go for short-sighted solutions of the energy issue which, while addressing the energy deficit on the short term, will hamper development of cheap green solutions. Pakistan is ideally suited for renewable energy, and the EU finds it encouraging to see that hydro, sun and wind are important pillars of Pakistan’s energy policy. Another area where quick wins could be achieved is by improving energy efficiency.

The heads of EU missions have assured Pakistan, and other developing countries, that they will not be left to shoulder the burden on their own. A key objective of the COP21 is the mobilisation of $100bn by developed countries, from 2020 in a Green Climate Fund. This should enable the developing countries to combat climate change while promoting fair and sustainable development. The EU and its member states will also continue to support low-carbon development and climate resilience in development assistance.

The fact remains that an efficient, low-carbon path is key to future economic success and a ‘driver of prosperity’. Pakistan needs to adapt its economy to these realities. The diplomats have called on all stakeholders, businesses, local governments and civil society in Pakistan to demand ambitious policies to tackle climate change.

Regarding contributions, the diplomats say they are counting on Pakistan to join the collective effort and submit its contribution before the deadline in October. To date, nearly 40 countries, including all 28 EU member states, have submitted their ‘national contributions’ — i.e., their commitments to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change. “We are approaching the point of no return on climate change and the world must urgently move from good intentions to resolute action,” the joint statement concludes.

Pakistan contributes very little to the overall Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions — 0.7pc of the global total. But it remains severely impacted by the negative effects of climate change. The government has, however, not taken any significant step to protect the farmers, in particular, and provide them with new technology and seed varieties to meet the changed scenario.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, June 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play