Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS) Pakistan inked a co-operation agreement on "Climate change in Pakistan, Institutional Arrangements and Alternative sources of Energy." Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI and Gregor Enste, Resident Director, HBS Pakistan, inked agreement on behalf of their respective institution.
The agreement aims at developing institutional framework for implementation of national climate change related policies and building and strengthening capacity of government officials for better implementation of climate change related policies. The agreement asks for analysing the expected policy on climate change, review of institutional arrangements of few selected countries and implementation of climate change policy in Pakistan. Dr Suleri will be responsible for looking after the project.
Impacts of climate change are evident in Pakistan, which is facing multiple threats from climate change. Agriculture sector is one example where low productivity, water shortage and mismanagement are further worsening the situation. Studies show that wheat and rice production will decline due to climate change. Monsoon rains and glaciers are two sources of water availability, however, now monsoon patterns and quantity are changing in Pakistan.
Coastal areas of Pakistan are observing impacts of sea level rise. Oxfam, 2009 conducted a study which shows that almost 50 kilometer area of Badin was affected due to sea intrusion. This is bound to increase in the future if climate change is not addressed seriously. Diseases, climate refugees, wide spread of disease and pests and loss of biodiversity would be other areas of major concern for Pakistan.-PR