Daily Times

The Climate Change conference COP-23 ended with all its diverse colours on November 17th, 2017 in Bonn, Germany with new promising words, highlighting new challenges, vulnerabilities and innovative solutions. The main discussions focused on progress on implementation of Paris agreement, climate financing including mobilising private sectors, climate risks insurance, gender action and regional cooperation.

The nations also viewed their responsibility under the circumstances shaped by the withdrawal of US from Paris agreement. The speech of French President Emmanual Macroon was very inspiring, “The point of no return has been crossed”, he said, adding that Europe should replace America, and France will meet that challenge”. But he did not clearly indicate to support Green Climate Fund.

Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel seemed herself uncertain about fulfilling their commitment to cut carbon emissions while saying, “Our target for 2020 is ambitious, namely to reduce emissions by 40 per cent compared with 1990.Now, at the end of 2017, we know that we are still a long way off achieving that”. But she assured her support in providing climate-financing Germany being the economically strong country in Europe would have to bear the burden of financial flow towards developing countries especially after withdrawal of US from Paris agreement. The Gender Day during COP-23 pledged the nations to consider gender sensitivities during negotiation and decision making process.

The role of Pakistan in climate change negotiations was appreciable. Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan spoke about the vulnerabilities of this country when it comes to environmental disasters; as well as initiatives taken by Islamabad to fulfil its commitments under the Paris agreement

Besides negotiations, the event was full of colours, knowledge and cultural diversity. Many countries promoted and attracted visitors through their cultures. The Indonesian pavilion arranged traditional dances and food and made their pavilion as a place of festivity. Indian pavilion arranged daily yoga to tell the world about their culture. Similarly Turkish pavilion arranged artists who showed live, skills of different art techniques. But overall there were fewer pavilions as compared to recent COPs.

The film about the current state of the earth and the historical development of the climate, was shown on a four-meter globe with a 360o screen daily, during COP-23 in Bonn, Germany which was rich in knowledge to understand climate change phenomena. However, this film contained little material on climate change vulnerabilities of developing countries.

There was also a covered outdoor area with an interactive exhibition. It provides information on the concrete effects of climate change on people’s lives and shows examples of how development and climate policy can helper counter these effects.

The role of Pakistan in climate change negotiations was appreciable. Federal Minister for climate Change Mushahidullah Khan spoke about the vulnerabilities of Pakistan when it comes to climate change disasters and initiatives taken by government of Pakistan to fulfil its commitments under Paris agreement. He said that 8 per cent of Pakistan’s budgetary resources have been reserved to address Climate Change, creating extreme pressures on our economy. Pakistan along other developing countries emphasised in the negotiations to expedite the process of assisting developing countries in mitigation and adaptation efforts through financing, transfer of technology and capacity building.

Meanwhile, Pakistani pavilion on the occasion was spacious and the presence of many green plants did send the right message about Pakistan’s commitment to protecting environment. The information about national

parks, wetlands, energy sector, water situation and carbon emission was displayed through standees and huge wall mountings. Pakistani pavilion caught the attention of the visitors and received appreciation. Nonetheless, Pakistan is having rich culture, which can be displayed through its local food; regional dresses and traditional dances at pavilion in future COPs.

This would also help develop the visitors’ interest. Pakistan distributed USBs to visitors at Pakistan pavilion instead of pamphlets or books to save papers, which is a good step. The caps and cups distributed at pavilion were well designed, containing picture of national flower and trees. The role of Pakistan’s embassy in facilitating negotiation process and other arrangements in Germany is also laudable.

In order to reap the fruits of such a big activity involving 117 ministers from different countries, 25 head of delegations and 196 countries, developed countries should back the developing ones in their mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The writer is based in Islamabad and works on environmental issues. She can be reached at zilehuma_1@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, November 21^st 2017.