Climate Change Bill will strengthen the ability to mitigate the impact of climate change on various socioeconomic sectors.
Pakistan Senate has passed Climate Change Act, paving the way for Pakistan to strengthen its ability to mitigate the impact of climate change on various socioeconomic sectors, particularly agriculture, water and health.
The legislation was passed to meet the country’s obligations under international conventions relating to climate change and to address its effects.
Senator Samina Abid presented the layout report of Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change on March 16 in the Senate.
The National Assembly Pakistan has already approved Act 2017, The act now requires presidential assent before it can become law.
Climate Change Minister Zahid Hamid, who introduced the legislation, said that Pakistan ranks 153rd in greenhouse gas emitting countries but is the seventh-most vulnerable to climate change.
“The Pakistan Climate Change Act 2016 has been hammered out to tackle the pressing climate risks and secure global funding for implementing projects to boost country’s climate resilience, protect lives and livelihoods of the people, mainly those associated with agriculture,” Minister Climate Change explained.
According to the Climate Change Act, an implementation Council or authority to be formed to impose national policies on global warming issue.
The council will include chief ministers and ministers who hold environment and climate change portfolios of all the provinces and the three administrative units: Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Fata.
Minister Climate Change said, Sindh is most vulnerable province to climate change, he also appreciate the state and provinces on their initiative towards friendly climate.
Pakistan is the seventh most vulnerable country to climate change, and contributes less than 1pc to climate altering global emissions.