Climate change in Pakistan: TFCC recommends various adaptation, mitigation measures

The Planning Commission's Task Force on Climate Change (TFCC) on Thursday formally launched its report underlining socio-economic impact of climate change on Pakistan. The meeting was held here with Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi and Dr Ashfaq Ahmad, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission in the chair.
It recommends a number of adaptation and mitigation measures based on the initial available assessment of different sectors and reviews the country's implicit ongoing and planned responses regarding the climate change. Commenting on the importance of the report, Hameedullah Jan Afridi said.
"The report of the Task Force has paved the way for the development of National Action Plans for adaptation and mitigation." He said most important task of the TFCC was to contribute and formulate a climate change policy that would assist the government in achieving sustainable economic growth by properly addressing the challenges posed by the climate change.
The present report encompasses deliberation of 10th Task Force on Climate Change (TFCC) meeting on various climate change issues confronting Pakistan. The report describes Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change and its impacts on various socio-economic sectors. It also recommended capacity building, need for international co-operation and Pakistan's position during international negotiations on future climate change issues.
This report will serve as a seminal document, providing a base for further work and helping the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Environment in formulating National Climate Change Policy. The Planning Commission of Pakistan set up a Task Force on Climate Change (TFCC) in October 2008 to provide appropriate guidelines for ensuring security of vital resources such as food, water and energy.
The meeting was attended by Shams-ul-Mulk, Ex-Chairman WAPDA, Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Ex-Deputy Executive Director United Nations Environment Programme, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Executive Director LEAD Pakistan, Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department, Dr Aurangzeb Khan, Chief Environment Planning Commission, Dr Arshad M. Khan, Executive Director Global Change Impact Study Centre and Dr M.M. Rabbani, Director General National Institute of Oceanography.