Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 05:45:14 pm


 
COP28: Analysts term adoption of loss and damage fund a right step to tackle Climate Change
December 02, 2023

Dr. Ejaz Ahmed (Environmentalist): It is good news that a mechanism has been finalized according to which the developed countries have agreed to support the developing countries that have been affected due to the climate change. The setup of which was agreed on the summit's opening day. Parties agreed at last year's Cop 27 to establish the fund, to address the irreversible and unavoidable effects of climate change, particularly for vulnerable and developing countries. The developed countries must also avoid utilizing fossil fuels that are mainly contributing to carbon emissions. When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Climate finance was destined to be a key topic for Cop 28, partly to restore trust between developed and developing countries.

Ali Sarwar Naqvi (Former Ambassador): Pakistan is bearing the brunt of the climate crisis despite ‘small carbon footprint. Pakistan has to face the climate crisis and the world has to wake up to this reality that a poor country like Pakistan, which is not producing any carbon dioxide, which is not contributing to the greenhouse effect, is actually suffering the worst. The nations contributing to climate change are obligated to reduce emissions and help developing countries like Pakistan.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch (Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs): It is an important occasion as the world leaders have gathered to participate in the COP-28 summit in order to discuss climate change and issues related to climate finance and others. The leaders are discussing the ways to work together in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Pakistan has longstanding relations with GCC particularly with UAE and Kuwait. The Prime Minister visited both the countries and discussed matters of mutual interests with the leadership of both the countries. A number of MoUs have been signed during the visit in areas of energy, mineral, banking sectors and food security which are the areas of priority for Pakistan.

Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): Pakistan has a clear stance that Pakistan is not a big contributor to carbon emissions yet paying the price in terms of devastating floods and other. It was predicted in 2001-02 that climate is the main threat to Pakistan rather than terrorism as climate is a silent killer. All the epidemics in the world are linked with climate change. It is the collective responsibility of the globe to play a role in minimizing carbon emissions otherwise the impacts of climate change would be worse. The developed countries must come forward and support the vulnerable countries in this regard.