ISLAMABAD (APP): Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday said Siachen glacier was melting very fast directly jeopardizing the local communities facing severe glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
She was addressing the concluding session of the second day of the leaders in Islamabad Business Summit, “Changing Narratives”.
Senator Rehman said when glacial lakes erupt, they wash away bridges and small dams. The government was informing the local communities on impending risk of GLOF through an early warning system being put in place that indicated expected GLOF event.
She said water scarcity would not happen now, but there was a need to control the use of this water. “Pakistan is facing serious environmental challenges and is not ready for future in terms climate and environment. It has suffered heavy losses.”
She wondered, “Are developed countries doing anything for climate financing?” However, a conference on climate financing in France would be held in June, she added.
International financial institutions were created to support developing countries, whereas the conference in France would restructure the global financial system, including credit finance, she said.
Sherry Rehman Pakistan had earned a chance in COP-27 and had consolidated a group at the international level to
highlight the cause of appropriate climate finance to cope with climate change.
“Droughts and floods are the best examples of climate change. Pakistan will meet environmental pollution targets, it has pollution issues at the local level, but it has no role in global carbon emissions driving global warming,” she said.
The current financial system was not suitable for meting climate finance goals as billions of dollars are needed for climate change prevention projects, she underlined.
“India is a major polluter in our neighbourhood and Pakistan is bearing the burden of its greenhouse gas emissions,” Sherry Rehman said. Plastic was being eliminated globally, and Pakistan also has to eliminate plastic which was going into its ocean, she added.
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