Senate passes bill aimed at tackling global warming challenges

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday passed the Pakistan Climate Change Bill, 2017 unanimously aimed at tackling challenges of global warming.

Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid moved the bill in the House.

The minister said that the bill, based on its prominent points, is a crucial matter as Pakistan ranks 7th in the list of countries, which are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
He said that Pakistan ranks 135th in the list of countries which contribute to emission of green house gasses.

"By passing the Bill, Pakistan will join five countries in the world that have demonstrated their commitment to combating the adverse effects of the shifting climate by enacting laws specifically for the purpose," Zahid Hamid said.

Besides formulating adaptation and mitigation policies to tackle effects of climate change, the bill focuses on the establishment of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority.
Zahid Hamid said that Pakistan ratified Paris convention on global warming.

The framework of the bill for implementation of the National Climate Change Policy for the period 2014-2030 serves to integrate climate-friendly policies into our national and economic planning.

It is imperative to establish an independent Pakistan Climate Change Authority, which will under the guidance of a high-powered Pakistan Climate Change Council, provide a framework for mitigating and adapting to the effects of the changing climate on various sectors of the economy.

The bill also established a Pakistan Climate Change Fund, managed by a board.
Money from the fund will be utilised to meet expenses of the Authority and for financial assistance to suitable adaptation and mitigation projects and measures to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

Azam Khan Swati and Sherry Rehman also appreciated the bill and said it would help address the climate change issues.