ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Thursday conducted a critical review of Pakistan’s preparation for the upcoming COP29 conference, questioning the cost-effectiveness of Pakistan’s participation in previous COP conferences.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination requested a detailed cost breakdown for COP29, including the size of the delegation, accommodation arrangements and overall expenditures.

The committee recommended increased transparency in financial planning for the event and urged the ministry to provide a comprehensive report on all approved climate projects, including budgets, locations and current statuses.

The observations came during a meeting where the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination provided an overview to committee members about the key areas Pakistan would focus on during the global climate summit. The meeting was presided over by MNA Munaza Hassan.

During the briefing, the ministry outlined the core pillars of Pakistan’s participation in COP29, which would include three daily events at the Pakistan Pavilion. These events would address vital issues such as climate justice, energy transition and gender-responsive climate policies.

Key national projects, including the Living Indus initiative and Recharge Pakistan, were highlighted as central to the country’s efforts in climate adaptation and sustainability.

Despite the ambitious plans presented, the committee expressed concerns about delays in finalising guidelines for carbon credits and called for greater engagement from the private sector and provincial governments in addressing climate challenges.

Further, the committee stressed the importance of ensuring that Pakistan’s COP29 initiatives demonstrated measurable progress in climate resilience and financing.

A post-COP29 analysis was also requested to evaluate the tangible outcomes of Pakistan’s participation in the global summit.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to ensure that Pakistan’s presence at COP29 was impactful, with a focus on showcasing the nation’s leadership in climate innovation, resilience and actionable solutions.

Additionally, the committee deferred the ‘Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2024’, introduced by MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, to be reviewed in the next meeting.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024