47. Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 - Consultancy Services in ...

Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12To integrate climate change policy with other related national policiesTo facilitate and strengthen Pakistan’s role as a responsible member of the international community inaddressing climate change challengesTo focus on pro-poor gender sensitive adaptation while also promoting mitigation to the extent possible in acost effective mannerTo ensure water, food, and energy security of the country in the face of challenges posed by climate changeTo minimize the risks arising from expected increase in frequency and intensity of extreme events: floods,droughts, tropical storms, etc.To strengthen inter-ministerial and inter-provincial decision making and coordination mechanism on climatechangeTo facilitate effective use of the opportunities, particularly financial, available both nationally andinternationallyTo foster the development of appropriate economic incentives to encourage public and private sector investmentin both adaptation and mitigation measuresTo enhance the awareness, skill and institutional capacity of relevant stakeholdersTo promote conservation of natural resources and long term sustainabilityThe climate change threats to Pakistan are:Considerable increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with erratic monsoon rainscausing frequent and intense floods and droughtsProjected recession of Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan (HKH) glaciers due to global warming and carbonsoot deposits from trans-boundary pollution sources, threatening water inflows into Indus River System (IRS)Increased siltation of major dams caused by more frequent and intense floodsIncreased temperature resulting in enhanced heat- and water-stressed conditions, particularly in arid and semiaridregions, leading to reduced agricultural productivityFurther decrease in the already scanty forest cover from too rapid change in climatic conditions to allow naturalmigration of adversely affected plant speciesIncreased intrusion of saline water in the Indus delta, adversely affecting coastal agriculture, mangroves andbreeding grounds of fishThreat to coastal areas due to projected sea level rise and increased cyclonic activity due to higher sea surfacetemperaturesIncreased stress between upper riparian and lower riparian regions on sharing the water resourcesIncreased health risks and climate change induced migrationThe above threats are the cause of major survival concerns for Pakistan, particularly in terms of the country’swater, food, and energy security considerationsState of the EnvironmentAirWith an estimated 37 percent of its populationliving in cities, Pakistan is the most urbanizedcountry in South Asia. Rapid urbanization has beenaccompanied by environmental problems such aspollution, waste management, congestion and thedestruction of fragile ecosystems. Urban airpollution remains one of the most significantenvironmental problems facing cities. A substantialbody of research demonstrates that highconcentrations of suspended particulate matteradversely affect human health; prolong a widerange of respiratory diseases and increases theprobability of heart ailments.The higher concentration of Suspended ParticulateMatter (SPM) in the air is a major issue inPakistan. The main sources of SPM are vehicularemission, industrial emissions, burning of solidwaste, pollens, brick kilns and natural dust.SPM can originate through natural phenomenon,such as unpaved roads and places uncovered byComment [MM3]: chapter on laborforce/population mentions that urban unemploymenthigher than rural.238