ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan said on Tuesday that Pakistan is prepared to highlight its vulnerabilities caused by the changes in global climate at the upcoming climate change conference.

“Pakistan will require financial assistance, as well as technology from developed countries and assistance in capacity building,” Mr Khan told the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change.

The meeting was called to brief members, who are new to the proceedings of the conference. A delegation from the Embassy of France informed committee members of the significance of the event.

‘Pakistan will require financial and capacity building assistance from developed nations’

Over 40,000 delegates from around the world will meet in Paris, France for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end of November, to find solutions and commit to bringing global emissions down to pre-industrial revolution levels.

Several pre-UNFCCC events have been held in Lahore and Islamabad. Over 50 representatives from the government, members of parliament, academics and students will represent Pakistan at the UNFCCC.

Mr Khan told the committee that, while Pakistan’s contributions to global emissions have been insignificant, the country is willing to abide by UNFCCC principles.

However, Pakistan has missed the deadline to submit intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) to the UNFCCC with its goals to reduce emissions. Over 140 countries have already submitted their INDCs, including Afghanistan.

Mr Khan said the document is being thoroughly prepared, keeping in view the country’s development over the next 10 to 15 years.

“Pakistan is a developing country, its emissions will rise. The document is being prepared carefully so that we can keep the promises we make at the upcoming conference,” he said.

Paris Climate Change Conference deputy special representative Philippe Lacoste explained that this year’s event will focus on mitigation and adaptation to the changing climate.

“It will also focus on how developed countries that are responsible for global warming can assist developing nations in tackling serious results of climate change through mitigation and adaptation. Their first obligation will be absolute reduction in emissions,” Mr Lacoste said.

Developed nations will also use financial assistance to developing countries as one instrument to combat the challenges of climate change, Mr Lacoste said.

“The transfer of existing technology and research and development in new technologies will be the second obligation upon developed countries,” he added.

Capacity building through sharing experiences and traditional knowledge will be the third obligation, he said.

“Among other commitments, the conference will also look into how best to assist countries in case of a natural disaster triggered by climate change,” he said.

Pakistan is party to the UNFCCC. Under the convention, countries are to make efforts to stabilise concentration emissions into the atmosphere to prevent dangerous climatic events such as floods, droughts, the melting of glaciers or glacial lake outburst.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2015

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