ISLAMABAD
\nThe experts at a seminar on Friday underlined that amid growing population and climate-induced disaster risks it has become imperative for the federal capital to maintain a climate resilient infrastructure to sustain as a livable metropolis.
\nThe seminar titled, \u2018Building Urban Climate Resilience in Islamabad,\u2019 was jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) here. CANSA representatives participated in the seminar online.
\nStressing the need to establish some model municipalities having climate resilient infrastructure, SDPI Deputy Executive Director, Dr Shafqat Munir said that Pakistan needs to have a strong local government system to develop climate smart urban centers whereas devolution at the small-scale needs to be achieved as every disaster hits local tier or bottom level of states, such as cities or municipalities.
\nReferring to the SDPI Report on the same title, he said: \u201cin Nepal, a mayor from a small municipality has developed climate smart infrastructure in his municipality, but in Pakistan, financial constraints for local level authorities are the main impediments to achieve the goal of urban resilience.\u201d
\nHe, however, pointed out that there a lack of strong local government system in the country, which needs to be made stronger, and democratic with maximum powers rest with the elected local leadership.
\nHe informed that the SDPI is also engaging with provincial governments to convince them to invest in peri-urban areas and local governments for the sake of climate resilience.
\nAleena Kareem said transparency in public projects, better reporting and impact evaluation mechanisms and public-private partnerships could support urban resilience initiatives. She suggested the authorities concerned to come up with net zero targets for Islamabad to contain its carbon emissions to avoid climate disasters.
\nNakul from CANSA said Pakistan has highest population growth and urbanization rates needs a proper mechanism and effort in this regard. Since the cities in South Asia are at the receiving end due to the economic nature of development, robust efforts are required other than COP forums to meet its urban resilience goals, Nakul added.
\nAssociate Research Fellow, SDPI, Zainab Naeem delivered a brief presentation on the Report which said: \u201caround 4.3 billion people. i.e. 55% of world population, live in urban centers whereas the South Asia has accelerated growth trend with one of the highest urbanization trends in Pakistan\u201d.
\nShe highlighted that the nexus between climate change and urban growth is prevalent in major economic sectors in the entire South Asia. \u201cClimate Change can exacerbate existing health risks in urban areas due to factors like air pollution and extreme heat. However, South Asia would require $215 billion annually by 2030 for flood protection due to recurring flood risks,\u201d she added.
\nThe Report suggests some action points leading to institutional building, coordination and governance, policy interventions, planning frameworks like green procurement, supply chains, pollution laws and liabilities on polluters and financing to create sustainable revenue streams for green and resilient urbanization.
\nPakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Ashiq Nawaz said the federal capital was established to cater to the needs of the federation, but it had become a business hub that spilled over the burden of population and services beyond its capacity.
\nThe natural water courses of the federal capital got polluted after trash and waste dumping that created silt in the nullahs leading to urban flooding risk, whereas it was generating 600 tonnes per day solid waste without a proper landfill site, which was serious matter of concern, he added. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The experts at a seminar on Friday underlined that amid growing population and climate-induced disaster risks it has become imperative for the federal capital to maintain a climate resilient infrastructure to sustain as a livable metropolis. The seminar titled, \u2018Building Urban Climate Resilience in Islamabad,\u2019 was jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":397240,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-397218","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n