Ahmed Irfan Aslam, Federal Minister for Climate Change Environmental Coordination of Pakistan, underscored the critical importance of achieving an ambitious outcome on the first global stocktake (GST) at COP28, calling it the defining issue of the conference.

‘We believe the success of this COP is linked to an ambitious outcome on GST,’ Aslam said in his written response to questions sent by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), during his participation in the now-running COP28 at Expo City Dubai.

‘The GST should send a clear signal that the current global efforts to combat climate change are not sufficient to keep the goals and targets of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement alive,” he added.

Aslam also welcomed the COP28’s early victory in operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund.

Pakistan, along with other developing countries, believes that developed countries are obliged to contribute adequate financial resources to the fund, he said.

‘We look forward to the early materialisation of the pledges,’ Aslam said. ‘Pak
istan expects that the institutional arrangements of the fund will be finalised as soon as possible so that the financial support can be provided to the vulnerable developing countries like Pakistan to address loss and damage.’

Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, despite contributing minuscule amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

‘Our share in global GHG emissions is less than 1 percent,’ Aslam said. ‘Despite this, under our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Pakistan has committed to reducing 50 percent of its GHG emissions by 2030. Additionally, out of this 50 percent, we have committed to reducing 15 percent of the GHG emission from our financial resources. We believe that through its comprehensive climate agenda, Pakistan is significantly contributing to the global efforts to combat climate change.’

Resilience building against climate change is a critical priority for Pakistan. The country has submitted a comprehensive National Adaptation Plan that takes in
to account its unique national circumstances.

‘We want to see a climate-resilient Pakistan made up of communities with socioeconomic and environmental adaptive capacities-collaborating to pursue prosperity, promote personal and national wellbeing, and protect their ecosystems through inclusive sustainable approaches,’ Aslam said.

Source: Emirates News Agency