Glasgow, 15 November 2021 (TDI): The 26th session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, also known as COP26, took place from 31 October to 12 November at Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK). The event was hosted by the UK, in partnership with Italy.
More than 120 world leaders came together at Glasgow to gear work up towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Pakistan also actively participated in the event.
Pakistan’s engagements at COP26
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAMP) on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, headed Pakistan’s delegation at the event. The delegation consisted of 10 members, including Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul.
Pakistan made a strong impact at the Glasgow climate change conference. Climate Minister, Malik Amin Aslam, chaired various events at the COP26 Summit. He apprised the world about the actions, policies, and programs undertaken by the government in this regard.
SAMP Malik Aslam briefed the world about Pakistan’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project, Ecosystem Restorative Initiative, Hydro-Meteorological and Climate Services Project. He also held an event on Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management.
Moreover, the climate minister addressed the Ministerial Meeting of the South Asian Environment Cooperative Program and also spoke at the Partnership for Energy Transition Mechanism for Southeast Asia
Below here is a brief overview of Pakistan’s engagements at COP26:
Pakistan’s Country Statement at COP26
In the country statement at COP6, Climate Minister Malik Amin Aslam stated, “Under the visionary leadership of Imran Khan, Pakistan has opted the choice to accept this new world-shifting to clean energy and making nature an ally, rather than an adversary of development”.
Launch of Recharge Pakistan
Pakistan’s climate minister, Malik Amin, launched a flagship climate adaptation program, “Recharge Pakistan”, at WWF Pavilion at COP26.
It is a US$ 150 million program initiated jointly by World Wide Fund Pakistan and the Ministry of Climate Change. It will be financed through Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Green Climate Fund (GCF).
This program will focus on opting for ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ to reduce flood risk. It will also focus on restoring wetlands, recharging groundwater aquifers, and creating green livelihood opportunities.
Pakistan unveiled its Ecosystem Restorative Initiative
Moreover, SAMP Malik Aslam apprised the world leaders about Pakistan’s ‘Ecosystem Restorative Initiative’ at an event in the Pakistan Pavilion at the COP26 Summit. The project is launched with $180 million funding from the World Bank.
The programs under this include honey production and marketing, mangrove restoration, expansion of protected areas, planting trees, and providing green jobs.
Pakistan Stands for Youth
An event titled ‘Pakistan Stands for Youth’ was also organized at the Pakistan Pavilion at COP26. Officials from UNICEF, UNDP, Save the Children, and youth representatives on climate change attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Malik Amin Aslam stressed the importance of youth inclusion in the policymaking process for climate adaptation and mitigation. He said the goals that are being prioritized under the rubric of climate change directly impact the youth. Therefore, world leaders and policymakers must remain cognizant in this regard.
The minister remarked that for a sustainable future engagement of all segments of society in decision making is imperative.
Launch of Pakistan-Germany Climate and Energy Initiative
During the Glasgow Summit, SAMP Malik Amin met Germany’s parliamentary secretary for development aid and financial support, Dr. Maria Flachsbath.
The meeting resulted in launching of the ‘Pakistan-Germany Climate and Energy Initiative’. The purpose of this initiative is to further mutual climate goals.
As part of this pact, Germany has announced £150m financial assistance to Pakistan. It also agreed to assist Pakistan in Clean Energy Development and implementing nature-based solutions.
Pakistan, UAE signed MOU for Green Cooperation
Moreover, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of COP26.
The MoU aims to foster cooperation on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental protection. UAE’s climate minister, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, and SAMP Malik Aslam signed the MoU.
Pakistan signed Global Methane Pledge
Pakistan also formally signed the United States (US) and European Union (EU) led ‘Global Methane Pledge. It is signed by more than 100 countries.
By signing the pledge, the country agreed to contribute to cutting methane emissions by 30% by the end of this decade.
Delivering on the target of the pledge will mitigate 0.2°C warming by 2050.
Endorsement of Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Climate Change
Pakistan also endorsed Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Climate Change at the COP26 Summit. The declaration is aimed at ending deforestation by 2030.
More than 100 countries, representing over 85% of the world’s forests, endorsed the declaration. This includes the Amazon rainforest, Canada’s boreal forest, and the Congo basin rainforest.
By signing the declaration, the countries agreed to converse forests and other terrestrial ecosystems, redesign agricultural policies and programs while keeping in focus food security.
Pakistan has already initiated its flagship project Ten Billion Tree Tsunami. Under this project, the government is undertaking steps to restore natural forests as well as plant new trees.
UK announced climate funding to Pakistan
Moreover, at the COP26, the UK pledged £55m to assist Pakistan in fighting climate change and sustainable water management. According to a statement issued by the British High Commission, the funding is split into three parts:
- Implementing a £38m five-year climate resilience program which aims to protect the poorest communities in Pakistan from adverse impacts of climate change and environmental degradation
- A £15m five-year water governance program directed at making water access sustainable and fairer in Pakistan
- Additionally, allocation of £2.5m to support mechanisms for attracting climate investment in Pakistan, including Nature Performance Bond.
According to British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Christian Turner, “This fund will ensure Pakistan becomes more resilient to climate impacts”.
Bilateral Meetings on the sideline of COP26
Pakistan’s environment minister also held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of COP26. This includes:
Meeting with Angela Merkel
The meeting between German Chancellor, Angela Markel, and SAMP, Malik Aslam, marked a discussion of Pak-German collaboration on climate change. Additionally, in a tweet, SAMP Aslam praised the leader “A principled leader with a towering stature who will be missed at the global stage”.
Meeting with Director-General International Atomic Energy Organization
Pakistan’s Climate envoy Malik Amin also met with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Organization, Rafael Mariano Grossi. During the meeting, DG Rafael termed Pakistan as ‘the most responsible nuclear state’. He also acknowledged the notion of peaceful nuclear energy as a sustainable zero-carbon mitigation option and for climate-smart agriculture.
Meeting with US President Biden
Moreover, the minister met United States President Joe Biden. The president thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan for being the first Asian Country to join the Global Methane Pledge.
Meeting with Scotland Cabinet Minister
Additionally, Minister Malik Aslam held a meeting with Scottish Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, at the Pakistan Pavilion. Both leaders exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the environment and health sector between Scotland and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s strong impact on the global stage
During the event, world leaders acknowledged the country’s efforts towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Pakistan Pavilion was one of the busiest pavilions at the Glasgow Summit. Below here is a glimpse of Pakistan’s achievements at the COP26 Summit.
- World leaders embraced the Ten Billion Tree Project
- Pakistan also became one of the three pilot countries chosen to join the Energy Transition Mechanism initiated by the Asian Development Bank.
- Moreover, Pakistan was chosen among the four top voices for nature at COP26.
- During a visit to Pakistan Pavilion, the Vice President for Sustainable Development at World Bank remarked, “Kudos to the government of Pakistan, which is evolving as a leader by focusing on both climate and Covid. This is the way to do it, this is the future, this is green thinking with a comprehensive approach to restoring ecosystems”.
- Furthermore, the Washington Post and New York Times published an article quoting Pakistan’s climate minister Malik Amin Aslam.
- Lord Aamer Sarfaraz termed Pakistan as a “Star Performer”, among other nations participating in the COP26.
Lord Aamer Sarfraz appreciation for Pakistan at COP26.
Pakistan fully utilized the platform of COP26 to highlight the initiatives taken by the government for curbing the adverse impacts of climate change. Moreover, world leaders acclaimed Pakistan’s efforts for climate change and environmental degradation. At COP26, Pakistan has been able to secure agreements with other countries to jointly work for mitigating the impacts of climate change.
