Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan- Positioning for UNFCCC-COP16 in Mexico

IUCN, INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE, PAKISTAN

Workshop on “Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: Positioning for Mexico”

Friday, 26 March 2010, Serena Hotel, Islamabad

WORKSHOP REPORT

1. BACKGROUND

Cognizant of the fact that Climate Change poses tremendous threat to the country, the Government of Pakistan is endeavouring to address it through policy changes and national initiatives. Pakistan has shown a strong commitment in the global effort to combat climate change. As a result of its past efforts, the world respects Pakistan’s contribution to the global dialogue/ negotiation process, and values its guidance and support in addressing climate change. As in the past, Pakistan very effectively participated in the Fifteenth Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15) held from 7- 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Despite un- expected results of COP 15 wherein no major commitments were made by the Annex 1 countries and the ensuing deadlock among major negotiating countries and blocks, a Copenhagen Accord was cobbled together. Though this is not ideal, it does provide an opportunity to countries to debate and prepare their national positions for Bonn and later Mexico City. Government of Pakistan has so far neither rejected the Accord nor accepted it as such; instead the Government of Pakistan has sought clarifications on many points.

Based on the discussions that took place at COP 15, it was considered important that the Government of Pakistan deliberate and plan its position vis-à-vis the Copenhagen Accord. Minsitry of Environment being focal Misnitry ot deal with claimte cahnge is organizing a workshop on “Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: way Forward to Mexico” in colloboration with IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and support from Department for International Development, UK.

2. THE EVENT

IUCN, Intenational Union for Conservation of Nature, Pakistan in colloborations with Ministry of Enviroment, Government of Pakistan and support from Department for International Development (DFID), UK organized a workshop on “Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: Positioning for Mexico” on Friday, 26 March 2010, at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The workshop aimed to assist the Government of Pakistan in devising a strategy and roadmap based on the four essentials of dialogue, namely mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology transfer in light of the discussions held in Copenhagen. The event provided a unique opportunity for organizations and individuals in Pakistan to benefit from ideas and experiences from participants of COP15. Based of the new global cliamte cahnge politics, the workshop participants and experts deliberated on stretegic priorites for Pakistan and road map to take forward the claimte change cagenda in Pakistan, particulary in context of future claimte cahnge negotiations to be held in Mexico later this year.

The workshop was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Planning Comission of Pakistan other federal Government departments, subject specialists, donors, and representatives of civil society organizations and other eminent stakeholders.

3. PROCEEDINGS

a. Inaugural session:

Speaking on the occasion on behalf on the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Abid Ali, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Ministry of Environment said that Pakistan in being affected by the impacts of climate change far more seriously than is generally recognized by the policy makers and opinion leaders. Mr. Ali said that Ministry of Environment, being the focal Ministry to deal with the subject, firmly believes that serious and immediate actions need to be taken by various stakeholders to fully understand and respond to the grave impacts of climate change. It is imperative that the challenges posed by climate change are better understood and preparations are undertaken for a coherent and long-term response in both realms - adaptation measures and mitigation strategies – at all tiers of society. He said that being a responsible nation and a party to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, Pakistan has very actively taken part in the global climate change dialogue held under the umbrella of the United Nations. In December last year, during the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen, Pakistan very effectively presented its case for an ambitious agreement at Copenhagen, in pursuit of a post- 2012 framework that successfully rises to the scale of expectations and scope of this challenge.

Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan talking on the occasion as the Chief Guest said talked about the happenings at Copenhagen and said that during these negotiations the essentials of ‘Kyoto Protocol’ were not focuses and instead were left behind, rather the dialogue more focused on discussing other modalities of future climate change dialogue. Dr. Ishfaq said that in post- COP 15 scenario, Pakistan must strategically prepare for future negotiations to be held in Mexico this year and must develop a position in consultation with its strategic ally and neighbour ‘China’. Pakistan must follow must not follow path of development taken by countries like china, instead focus of achieving a ‘low carbon’ development. He stressed on a collaborative approach for preparations for COP 16 to be held in Mexico.

Dr. Pervaiz Amir from ASIANIC Agro Dev., while delivering a short presentation on ‘Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: Positioning for Mexico’ said that the impacts of climate change revolves around sector of water, agriculture, energy, socio-economics, security but Pakistan is being faced by multiple threats. Talking about the happenings at Copenhagen, he said that the negotiations held there were slow and dis- oriented not targeting at the core issues. The COP 15 underline that climate change is one of the greatest and a strong political will is necessary to urgently combat climate change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Copenhagen Accord also stressed the world community to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, we shall, recognizing the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below 2 degrees

Workshop Report- “Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: Positiing for Mexico 2

Celsius, on the basis of equity and in the context of sustainable development, enhance our long-term cooperative action to combat climate change.

Dr. Pervaiz said that besides too much was said, very less was actually committed and the COP 15 failed to meet the expectation of the developing world. He said that Pakistan must prepare for COP 16 and project its uniqueness in vulnerabilities and multiple threats being faced and focus of securing access to international funds for adaptation.

On behalf of Department of International Development, Mr. Rodney Dyer who is the Infrastructure and Development Advisor at DFID mentioned the support provided by Government of UK to strengthen Pakistan’s participation in COP 15. He said that it is being realized that Pakistan has multitude of threats particularly due to melting of glaciers and impacts of other natural resources. Mr. Dyer stress on developing understanding of the specific challenges in Pakistan in term of adoption and mitigation to climate change and prepare for future negotiations to be held in Mexico this year. He said that UK Government would continue to battle for public opinion in developing countries of the world.

Mr. Javed Jabbar, Vice President/ Regional Councilor of IUCN talking on the occasion said that IUCN has a uunique convening capacity since its has a very broad membership base comprising of states and NGOs. He said that climate change has now been realized as a grave threat and various national institutions including Ministry of Environment has a sting focus on addressing it, which has brought conceptual changes at highest policy level in the country.

He said that media has played a significant role in projecting various environmental issues, including that of climate change and stressed that media should now go beyond thin and must be capacitated to further disseminate technical information to the masses. Further talking on this, he said that ‘Rio 20’ will be another historical event and a great opportunity to signal a new direction in international diplomacy at global level.

b. Technical Session

The technical session of the workshop was chaired by Dr. Amir Mohammad, Reactor, National Institute for Computer and Emerging Sciences, other panellist included; Dr. Arshad Muhammad Khan, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre, Dr. Pervaiz Amir, ASIANICS Agro. Dev., and Ms. Rina Saeed Khan, who is an environmental journalist.

i. Panel Discussions

Dr. Amir Mohammad, chair of the technical session in his remarks said that climate change is most priority issue, going to aggravate more and more in future. He said that preparation for Mexico should start and this session would help in great deal. Talking about the impacts of climate change he said that we must try to highlight different iso- zones in the country and start specific adoption measure in those areas in the country. He also stressed on the need of having action plan and mechanism to monitor the progress.

Dr. Arshad Muhammad Khan, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre in his remarks said tat Pakistan is most vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change these differ from place to place in the country, despite of


the fact that Pakistan is a very low emitter. He mentioned that the Planning Commission’s Task Force on Climate Change has recently completed its report which outlines a set of specific sector- wise recommendations to address the issue.

Talking about COP 15, Dr. Arshad said that it was not up to expectations. He said that Pakistan must come out as a group with other nations and stress on the need for efforts, so that the global temperature must not be allowed to increase by 2 degree Celsius by end of this century and roles for different nations must be set out on the basis of equity and per- capita emission standard. He further mentioned that vulnerable countries like Pakistan must be assisted through financial resources and transfer of technology to combat climate change.

Rina Saeed Khan, who is an environmental journalist said that Pakistan must align its position with China to project a common stand- point at the global negotiations. She stressed on the need to improve scientific studies to provide a scientifically based analysis to the global community on our severe and unique case and sense of urgency can be conveyed. She also said that instead of capping emissions for 2 degrees, Pakistan should raise its concerns and rather join the stand point of Small Island States to demand for emission cap for 1.5 degree Celsius.

Ms. Khan also showed her concern that participation from Pakistan in such events should be at highest political level so as Pakistan could get appropriate project in the global community. She also appraised the role of media both nationally and internationally to become advocate of climate change issue.

Dr. Pervaiz Amir further adding to points already raised and mentioned that in Pakistan media has already been taken on board and a few training of media personnel in climate change were conducted. He said that donors should take climate change as a cross- cutting issue, so that initiatives on these across all sectors can be supported. He stressed on need to raise awareness to the grass- root level.

Dr. Amir asked that the on- going research work should be interpreted for understanding of the common masses about the grave issue. He mentioned that there is hardly any provision in any national policy on climate change. Talking about potential impact e said that due to sea level rise cities of Karachi will be highly impacted. Similarly, productivity of major crops in the country may go down by up to 50 percent due to related impacts on water availability.

ii. Remarks/ Comments from Participants

Saeed-ur- Rehman from HAASHIR Foundations talked about the need for knowledge for better understanding of the issue and better : Need of knowledge to prepare law, monitoring, reviewing of implementation of laws,

Dr. Munir Sheikh from Global Change Impact Studies Centre stressed on the need for doing a comprehensive home working before going to next COP in Mexico. He said that efforts must be enhanced to utilize the potential of renewable sources for energy production.

Mr. Mohammad Shaukat from HAASHIR Foundation expressed a need for preparation of national adaptation and mitigation strategy to coupe with ever increase challenges being posed by climate change.


Mr. Zafar Sabri from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund highlighted that Pakistan is facing with man- made problem across the border due to construction of dams which will have further aggravate the situation by adding to water crisis. He said that to address this, we need to immediately start action through engineering means and financial resources.

Chudhary Karamt Ali, Chief of Planning and Development Department, Punjab said that the provinces are not effectively involved in related initiatives on climate change and stressed on need to improve coordination between federal and provincial government to highlight the issue of climate change.

Rehana Saddiqui, Chief, Pakistan Institute for Development Economics said that we must start working now for the negotiations to be held in Mexico with further stress on important issues were ignored like capacity building RED- Plus

General participants discussed about the need for consistent research and advocacy and promote exchange on information and scientific knowledge to better understand the climate change phenomenon.

Summary of Discussion by the Chair:

Dr. Amir Mohammad, Reactor, National Institute for Computer and Emerging Sciences while summarising the discussion said that we must initiate efforts to address the emerging issue of climate change for our generations to come. He said that there is lot still to be done particularly in developing a better understating of the threats by developing capacities in monitoring of the impacts by modelling techniques.

Dr. Amir further said that Pakistan must prepare a list of priority actions/ activities that we wish to undertake as to present our unique case to global community in up- coming COP session in Mexico.

Vote of Thanks by Country Representation, IUCN Pakistan

The workshop ended with a vote of thanks presented by Mr. Shah Murad Aliani, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan mentioning that this workshop is an out come of the extensive work done by Ministry of Environment and the good- will between Government of Pakistan and IUCN. Though this workshop, a dialogue has been held to devise a way forward the climate change related concerns of Pakistan in post- Copenhagen scenario. It is expected that in light of the discussions today, the Government of Pakistan will chalk out a roadmap to position itself for active participation in up- coming climate change negotiations to be held in Mexico later this year. Mr. Aliani ensured that IUCN would continue providing all possible support to Government of Pakistan in this regard.




WORKSHOP AGENDA

Time Agenda Presenters

0930 – 1000 Arrival and Registration

1000 – 1010 Welcome Address Mr. Abid AliJoint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Environment

1010 – 1020 Opening Remarks Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad KhanDeputy Chairman, Planning Commission

1020 – 1035 Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan: Positioning for Mexico

Dr. Pervaiz AmirASIANICS Agro- Dev.

1035 – 1045 DFID’s Perspective Mr. Rodney DyerInfrastructure and Environment AdvisorDIFD, Islamabad

1045 – 1055 Remarks Mr. Javed JabbarVice President/ Regional Councillor, IUCN

1055 – 1130 Tea

TECHNICAL SESSION

Chair: Dr. Amir Mohammad, Reactor, National University for Computer and Emerging Sciences

1130 – 1140 Documentary “Hopenhagen to Brokenhagen”

1140 – 1240 Panel Discussion:Strategic priorities for Pakistan in post Copenhagen (COP 15) scenario

Panellists:

1. Dr. Arshad Mohammad Khan Executive Director, GCISC

2. Mr. Jawed Ali Khan Director General (Environment) Ministry of Environment

3. Dr. Pervaiz Amir ASIANICS Agro- Dev.

4. Ms. Rina Saeed Khan Journalist

Summary by the Chair

1240 – 1250 Closing Remarks:Way forward to Mexico (2010)

Mr. Jawed Ali KhanDirector General (Environment) Ministry of Environment

1250 – 1300 Vote of Thanks Mr. Shah Murad AlianiCountry Representative, IUCN Pakistan

1300 hrs. Lunch




LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

No. Name Organizaion/ Address Phone/ fax Email

1. Dr. Ishfaq AhmadDeputy ChiarmanPlanning Commission, Government of Pakistan.Block- P, Pak Secretariate, Islamabad

2. Abid AliJoint Secretary (IC), Ministry of EnvironmentLocal Government and RuralDevelopment Complex, G-5/2Islamabad

051- 9245523 [email protected]

3. Arshad Muhammad KhanExecutive Director Global Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNear; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.


4. Dr. Munir Ahmad SheikhGlobal Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNational Centre for Physics, Near; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.


5. Ghazanfar AliGlobal Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNational Centre for Physics, Near; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.

051- 20773000321- 5573711

[email protected]

6. Arif GoharGlobal Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNear; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.



7. Shabeh uz HassanGlobal Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNear; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.


8. Naeem ManzoorGlobal Change Impact Studies CentreMinistry of EnvironmentNational Centre for Physics, Near; Quaid-i-Azam University. Shahdara Road. P. O. Box: 3022, Islamabad.


9. Momin AgaDeputy Secretary (Cliamte Change)Ministry of EnvironmentLocal Government and Rural Development Complex, G-5/2Islamabad

0300- 9557117

10. Rubina KananiMinistry of EnvironmentLocal Government and Rural Development Complex, G-5/2Islamabad

0333- 9486407

11. Ayesha NaeemMinistry of EnvironmentLocal Government Rural Development Complex, G- 5/ 2, Islamabad


12. Sumaira KanwalAyesha NaeemMinistry of EnvironmentLocal Government Rural Development Complex, G- 5/ 2, Islamabad


13. Mustafa Ali MemonSecretaryForests and Wildlife Department,Government of Sindh

021- 99203105

14. Dr. Zafar AltafChairman. Pakistan AgricultureResearch CouncilChairman. Pakistan AgricultureResearch Council.P. O. Box 1031,Plot No 20, G- 5/ 1, Islamabad

051- 9203966

15. Dr. Aurangzeb KhanChief Environment Section

051- 9219396


Planning Commission of PakistanBlock- P, Pak Secretariate, Islamabad

16. Nasreen FarahHydro- Carbon Development Institute Plot No.18, Street 6, H-9/1, P.O. Box 1308Islamabad

051- 92583010308- 5039004

[email protected]

17. Salman ChaudharyAlternative Energy Development Board (AEDB)House # 3, Street # 8, F-8/3, Islamabad

051- 9262947-5003000- 9892933

18. Arif MahmoodPakistan Meteorological DepartmentP.O. Box. 1214, Sector H- 8/ 2, Pitras Bukhari Road Islamabad

051-9250367 [email protected]

19. Zafar SabriPakistan Poverty Alleviation FundH. 1, Street 20, Sector F-7/2, Islamabad

111 000 102

20. Ghazala YasminPakistan Poverty Alleviation FundH. 1, Street 20, Sector F-7/2, Islamabad.

111 000 102 [email protected]

21. Dr. Rehana SiddiquiChiefPakistan Institute for Development EconomicsCare of; Quaid- i- Azam University,Islamabad


22. Raja AtaullahABAD

0346- 5914183

23. Zubair Asghar QureshiPlanning and Development Department, Civil Secretariat FATAWarsak Road Peshawar


24. Chaudhary Karamat AliChief (PPH)Planning and Development

DepartmentGovernment of Punjab Civil

Secretariat

042- 9210017


Lahore

25. Richard GarstangPakistan Wetlands ProgrammeNo. 3, Street 4, Sector F- 7/ 3, Islamabad

051-2610880

26. Gul Najam JamyAga Khan Foundation PakistanAgha Khan Foundation PakistanH# 1, St. 61, F- 6/3Islamabad

051- 227681203220 5064426

[email protected]

27. Khurram RiazAga Khan Foundation PakistanAgha Khan Foundation PakistanH# 1, St. 61, F- 6/3Islamabad

111 253 254 [email protected]

28. Dr. Chaudhary InayatullahICIMOD PakistanWRRI/ NARC, Park RoadIslamabad

051-9255003 [email protected]

29. Dr. Ejaz AhmadDeputy Director GeneralWWF- Pakistan40, Bazar Road, G-6/4Islamabad

051- 260 2431 [email protected]

30. Shakeel Ahmad RamaySustainable Development Policy Institute No. 20, Hill Road, F- 6/3Islamabad

051- 2270674-77 [email protected]

31. Fatima RasheedSustainable Development Policy InstituteNo. 20, Hill Road, F- 6/3Islamabad

[email protected]

32. Ali Tauqeer SheikhChief Executive OfficerLEAD- PakistanLEAD House, F- 7 MarkazIslamabad

051-111 511 111

33. Hina LotiaLEAD- PakistanLEAD House, F- 7 MarkazIslamabad

051-111 511 111 [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]


34. Dr. Pervaiz AmirAsia Pacific Network for Global

ChangeResearch (APN)ASIANICS Agro. Dev


35. Younas BandhiniBanh Beli


36. Ms. Khawar Mumtaz C.E.O. Shirkat Gah– Women’s Resource Centre 68, Tipu Block, New Garden Town Lahore

042- 583-8815 [email protected]

37. Saeed-ur- Rehman The Chief ExecutiveHAASHAR AssociationHouse # 63, Street 3 Sector-B,Ghazi Kot Township Manshera

92-997-303836, 303410

0300-5646661

[email protected]

38. Ms. Naila Ahmed Executive MemberSHEHRI-Citizens for a Better Environment206-G, Block 2 P.E.C.H.S.Karachi

021-4530646 / 92-

021-43822980300-8247011

[email protected]

39. Dr. Muhammad Zaheer KhanScientific and Cultural Society of Pak


40. Mohammad TahseenSAPPK Lahore


41. Rodney DyerDIFD PakistanBritish High ComissionDiplomatic Enclav, Ramna 5Islamabad


42. James PhillipBritish High ComissionDiplomatic Enclav, Ramna 5Islamabad

43. Jan Willem CoolsFirst Secretary (Environment and Water)Embassy of the Kingdom ofNetherlands28, Margalla Road, F- 7/ 3

051-2933127




Islamabad

44. Dr. Parvaiz NaimSenior Advisor, KfW/ GTZHouse -63 A, Street 5, F-8/ 3Islamabad


45. Farida RehmanUNDPUN House, H. No. 12, Street 17Sector F-7/2Islamabad

051- 8355641,8255600

[email protected]

46. Zehar AbbasAsian Development BankLevel-8, North Wing,Serena Office ComplexKhayaban-e-SuhrawardyIslamabad


47. Rina Saeed Khan Freelance Journalist

[email protected]

48. Raza abdi MustafaReporter, APNA TV


49. Khalid KhanAPNA TV, Islamabad

0300- 5288582

50. Muhammad zahoorPTV News, Islamabad

0333- 5167624

51. Iqbal HameedRadio Pakistan, Islamabad

03455- 5031714

52. Aftab ZahoorAPP, Islamabad


53. Anwar AhmadPBC. HeadquarterNBH, Islamabad

0344- 5359534

54. Jawed KazmiPTV News, Islamabad

55. Usman CheemaDunya TV

051- 2820158

56. Ali AkbarDunya TV

0344- 4440277

57. Tariq IsmailIndus TV Netwrok, Islamabad







58. Syed Haider RaziPhotographerPress Information DepartmentIslamabad


59. Naveed HamadCamermanARY News


60. Wajdan DarDawn TV

0313- 6191429

61. Fasal Raza KhanReporterDawn TV


62. Shams KhanRoznama Mashriq, Islamabad


63. Jawed JabbarVice PresidentIUCN

64. Shah Murad AlianiCountry RepresentativeIUCN Pakistan1, Bath Islanad, Claiftaon, Karachi

[email protected]

65. Mahmood Akhtar CheemaHead, IUCN Islamabad OfficeH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd


66. Ahmad SaeedProject Manager, National Impact Assessment ProgrammeIUCN PakistanH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd


67. Saadullah AyazCoordiantor CLiamte CahngeIUCN PakistanH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd


68. Mohammad Safir AhmadAdmin OfficerIUCN PakistanH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd


69. Aiman Basit 051- 2271029 [email protected]











IUCN PakistanH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd

70. Qurat- ul- AinIUCN PakistanH. No: 21, Street 88, Sector G- 6/ 3Islamabd

051- 2271029


Documents

Copenhagen Accord and Pakistan- Positioning for UNFCCC-COP16 in Mexico