Pakistan
Core analysis conducted and presented by Rameesa Kajm and Saher R. Baig of Pakistan in August, 2021.
Executive Summary
Highlights:
Pak-INDC analysis has given the detailed GHG emission plans to achieve in short term and long term by 2030.
Pak-INDC presents the overall GHG emissions profile and future emission projections, by considering both the present and future socio-economic parameters, changes in the demographic dynamics and emerging energy needs.
Based on economic analysis a reduction up to 20 percent emission till 2030 would require US$ 15.6 billion.
There are some points missing in the theoretical framework in the emission reduction plan.
Suggestions for Implementation in Pak-INDC through Feminist Perspective:
More research and evidence based facts and figures should be included.
Civil society should be the first and foremost priority.
Women should be included in the report as they are back bone of the nation.
Green recovery after the end of Covid-19 should be included.
Recommendations through Feminist Perspective:
As a young feminist climate advocate the recommendations to improve Pak-INDC analysis are;
Youth and youth-led organizations should be included in policy making of climate justice policies.
Gender inclusivity should be a first priority whenever new analysis report will be in process without any biases and stereotypes that similar gender can't play a role in climate justice.
More and more research should be done on climate issues so it will be published with the help of the government.
When Pak-INDC analysis will be on going ordinary people should include because they face most of the climate challenges and hence they are more vulnerable.
Local surveys should be done on a monthly basis and listen to the voices of those people who are living in mountain areas.
Many organizations are working towards a safe and healthy Pakistan, so they should be included while improving Pak-INDC's because of the more knowledge about the climate challenges.
Women living below poverty line and hence no resources towards a healthy lifestyle should be considered and detailed analysis should be given in the analysis report.
Women hygiene issues like Period Poverty should be discussed in the report because the health and hygiene is the most important part in women's life.
NDC Analysis
Introduction
Pakistan is fifth populous country in the world and estimated population in 2021 will be 225,199,937. In 2021 the growth rate is 2.00 and like other countries Pakistan's largest population is youth aged between 15-29. Hence Pakistan faces one of the biggest energy and economy crises due to that Pakistan overall growth is affected and progression towards any policy is difficult.
Pakistan INDC report highlights main seven pillars to transform Pakistan into prosperous nation till 2025. Pak-INDC highlights the challenges and also measures associated with the current and future scenarios. There are some measures that will lead Pakistan to a climate compatible and low carbon development. Pakistan ranks amongst the top of those nations where vulnerability index due to climate changes is very high. At present the country's GHG emissions are increasing at an annual rate of 6 % or 18.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent.
INDC's are the document that is clearly mentioning the country's present situation of various strategies and carbon footprint that have been put into one place to analyze the commitments to Paris agreement based on socio-economic realities and their impact on the country's current and future Green House Gas (GHG) emission. It also highlights how much it fulfills with the UNFCCC charter and what implications are made to achieve sustainable development and their improvement in reducing climate challenges.
The World Bank estimated that the poverty ratio in Pakistan stood at 39.3 per cent in 2020-21 and is projected to remain at 39.2 per cent in 2021-22 and might come down to 37.9 per cent by 2022-23. As a progressive nation countries pays attention to the development sectors rather climate change.
2. Emissions
The increase of emission in all sectors of the economy, the overall emission increased over the period of twenty- one year is 123 percent approximately. CO2 emissions: fossil fuel & industrial purposes in Pakistan 1970-2019. Carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan based on fossil fuel and industrial purposes reached a record high in 2019, at 223.6 million metric tons of CO2.
The NDC of Pakistan highlights the detailed emission growth and the sectors included are energy, agriculture, industrial process, land use change and forestry.
Furthermore, the future plans national or international of reducing emission before 2030 in Pakistan, however many plan have been done but real numbers is highlighted and yet now there are no chances to be seen till 2021 for decreasing of emission. Directly quoting from INDC of Pakistan, the GHG emissions of Pakistan in 2030 would be 1603 MT CO2-equivalent.
Again quoting from INDC Pakistan; Having considered the existing potential for mitigation in the country, Pakistan intends to reduce up to 20% of its 2030 projected GHG emissions subject to availability of international grants to meet the total abatement cost for the indicated 20 percent reduction amounting to about US$ 40 billion at current prices. Pakistan’s adaptation needs range between U$ 7 to U$ 14 billion/annum during this period.
3. Gender
After reading the report thoroughly there are no gender policies in the Pak-INDC. Due to which many issues facing by men, women, transgender community. Each gender are facing specific issues that are not highlighted in the report.
3.1 Gender policies can be included in Pak-INDC
As the known fact in 21st century gender is all included in may policies through rigorous research and through government representatives. Either male, female and transgender are highly effected by poverty and natural disasters like, earth quacks, flood, land sliding and droughts. Specifically talking about gender the targeted population should be included in the report and as said malnutrition is one of the major thing that are affected larger population especially women and girls. At the very young age girls health are highly affected due to her menstrual cycle and women of age between 30-50 years are facing bone diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis and lose of bone elasticity.
3.2 More women in Policy making
As women are the pillars of the society and Pakistan needs more women in policy making and yet there should be some policies made especially for women to empower them and teach them to be aware of climate crises Pakistan is facing. Women are considered as a building prosperous nations and they are the one who can teach her communities about the changes our nation is facing and it will be considered and important as any other development sectors.
Gender responsive budgeting on climate change report is written but its not highlighted in Pak-INDC analysis report. Budget and other resources have been allocated and this should be included in the report.
3.3 Gender Inclusivity Importance
As talking about gender inclusivity it's important to include all genders e.g., women, men, transgender without any biases should be included in the nation building or policy buildings. As women are considered best decision maker and they have proved it through many platforms and involvement in governments. So if men, women and transgender works together on climate justice it will be a fast and better progress and the goals we want to achieve till 2030 will be achieved on time and with better results.
4. Youth
Youth, the largest population of Pakistan. INDC Pakistan haven't included as they fail to highlight youth as a populous stakeholders and yet more aware about the current issues and challenges nation are facing. Youth as considered as a technological generation and have better knowledge about issues and challenges e.g. climate challenges. Youth are the backbone of the nation they should be included in each policy making as they have better solutions due to digital empowerment. Government should do some surveys in universities so better understanding towards major issues we as a nation are facing will be solved with better and innovative ways. Due to climate changes youth are facing some serious mental issues as well as health issues so better understanding towards climate challenges by the youth perspective will be helpful for the better policies.
5. Civil Society Justice
Civil society includes all the entities that are not part of a government but those private sectors or groups working on issues and challenges for the betterment of the society. Civil society is not included in Pak-INDC analysis and they haven't considered major working groups if the society. All major civil society groups who are working on climate issues knows what challenges Pakistan is facing right now and what are the solutions for making those things that are climate friendly and eco friendly.
5.1 The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC)
The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change is a licensed Coalition dedicated to highlights the subject of climate change in Pakistan and influencing policymaking at the regional, national and sub-national level through research, and advocacy. The idea for establishing a networking platform was mooted in the lead up to COP21 and the efforts of French Embassy in bringing stakeholders together to work towards an "Agenda of Solutions". The success of the all stakeholder Pre-COP21 dialogue held in Lahore, Pakistan in October 2015.
Hence CSCCC is working towards climate change since 2015 and Pal-INDC analysis came in 2016 and it is not included in the report.
5.2 Clean Green Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, launched the Clean Green Pakistan Movement (CGPM) on 13th October 2018.
This national campaign underpins behavioral change and institutional strengthening while envisaging the need to address five components: plantation, solid waste management, liquid waste management/ hygiene, total sanitation, and safe drinking water. The CGPM has a specific focus on empowering the citizens to seek access to basic services but also making themselves equally accountable and responsible for Clean Green Pakistan.
This program is not included in the INDC analysis of Pakistan. There is a need to make new NDC report of Pakistan so many new initiatives of civil society organizations should be included and have positive image of Pakistan nationally and internationally.
6. Climate Justice and Equity
Whenever talking about climate justice that will not include only climate challenges, but it will include human rights, political issues and ethical issues nation is facing. Climate justice in Pak-INDC analysis is not included rather major portion is on emission issues as well waste management issues Pakistan is facing.
As the Paris agreement preamble highlights the issues of people facing due to climate challenges and human rights violations are still not highlighted in Pak-INDC analysis. As a indigenous group and those living below poverty line are facing climate injustice and not equity is ensured.
7. Recommendations
As a young feminist climate advocate the recommendations to improve Pak-INDC analysis are;
Youth and youth-led organizations should be included in policy making of climate justice policies.
Gender inclusivity should be a first priority whenever new analysis report will be in process without any biases and stereotypes that similar gender can't play a role in climate justice.
More and more research should be done on climate issues so it will be published with the help of government.
When Pak-INDC analysis will be on going ordinary people should include because they face most of the climate challenges and hence they are more vulnerable.
Local surveys should be done on monthly basis and listen to the voices of those people who are living in mountain areas.
Many organizations are working towards safe and healthy Pakistan, so they should be included while improving Pak-INDC's because of the more knowledge about the climate challenges.
Women living below poverty line and hence no resources towards a healthy lifestyle should be considered and detailed analysis should be given in the analysis report.
Women hygiene issues like Period Poverty should be discussed in the report because the health and hygiene is the most important part in women's life.
8. References
Authors
Core analysis conducted and presented by Rameesa Kajm and Saher R. Baig of Pakistan in August, 2021.