ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Climate Change – Zahid Hamid – said on Tuesday that Pakistan was setting up the world’s largest solar park (1,000 Megawatt) – as part of its plans to promote renewable energy.
Hamid also lauded the enactmentof the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2016 – to promote effective conservation and efficient use of energy.
He said that the world community was informed at an international conference that Pakistan’s contribution to global warming is minimal – less than 1% of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions – but the country still makes the list of ‘top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change’.
Pakistan faces several major risks relating to climate change including glacial melt, variable monsoons, recurrent floods, rise in sea level, higher average temperatures and higher frequency of droughts, he said and added that millions were affected and immense damagesare being caused on recurring basis.
“These threats pose major survival concerns for Pakistan – particularly in relation to country’s water security, food security and energy security and furthermore having enormous adverse consequences for all socio-economic sectors, impeding the ability to promote sustainable development,” the minister highlighted.
However, Hamid said that the world was informed that Pakistan – being a responsible member of global community – has taken substantial steps to counter the effects caused by climate changes since 2016, despite the challenges.
He said that the launch of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Rs 2 billion ‘Green Pakistan Programme’ is to be implemented across the country but other initiatives like the Pakistan Climate Change Bill aim to establish a high-level, policy-making council – along with Pakistan Climate Change Authority – to prepare, adapt and mitigate projects in various sectors.
“The Pakistani Parliament is also the first in the world to become completely ‘green’ – by reverting 100% to solar energy,” the minister concluded.
