New Climate Technology Network, Finance Center to cut greenhouse gas emissions ... - International News Network

ISLAMABAD: A new Climate Technology Network would be established to generate investments to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12 million tons of carbon dioxide in next 10 years in Asia and the Pacific region.

The new Climate Technology Network and Finance Center will expand the availability of low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies in Asia and the Pacific with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with core funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

?The countries of Asia and the Pacific need to rapidly deploy new technologies capable of decoupling their growth from high emissions of greenhouse gases, and they need to build their resilience to climate change impacts,? said S. Chander, Director-General of ADB?s Regional and Sustainable Development Department.

The technology finance center will be set up in Manila, Philippines, to be managed by ADB, while the climate technology network secretariat will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, to be managed by UNEP.

The new center will help mobilize financing for clean technology by folding technology considerations into national investment plans and strategies, and by piloting innovative financing mechanisms. The network, meanwhile, will provide complementary technical support and policy advice and be a forum for knowledge sharing.

A pilot technology marketplace to spur transactions in climate-friendly technologies will also be established.

Asia and the Pacific is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions from the energy sector alone up 183% since 1990, and has more people at risk who live in the region?s coastal cities, and in rural areas where livelihoods are heavily dependent on agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors.

GEF is providing a grant of roughly $11 million to support the center. "The project shows GEF's commitment to technology transfer and innovative approaches that encompass both mitigation and adaptation.

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Climate change: Call to establish flood risk zone - DAWN.com

Displaced women cross a flooded field carrying bags of donated food, as they take refuge on a roadside in Mirpur Khas.—AP Photo

KARACHI: Given that drastic climate change is inevitable, the only way to lessen its impact is to prepare ourselves and adapt to it in the best possible manner.

In this regard, a city-specific roadmap was discussed at a workshop, Climate change adaptation strategy for Karachi — a roadmap, at a hotel on Tuesday.

Organised by a non-governmental organisation, Shehri — Citizens for a Better Environment, the event identified and examined various factors that led to the present climatic conditions, and assessed the critical vulnerabilities that Karachi may be exposed to due to climate change.

Urban planner Farhan Anwar highlighted the need to involve the city government in order to realise an improvement in adapting to climate change.

Using visual aid, Anwar identified areas that are vulnerable to floods, droughts, sea-level rise and extreme heat events. He laid emphasis on the urgent need for a strategy to combat climate change in Karachi

He noted that a national disaster management report had discussed the impact of climate change on transport, energy and other sectors when it should have taken into account urban areas, which are important stakeholders.

Referring to the areas that are dotted with slums and hill settlements threatened by floods, Anwar said that there was a vital need to establish a ‘flood risk zone’ in order to rate the risk possibility.

“And to do that, we need a flood plan map, he added.

“Apart from Malir and Lyari rivers, we have bloated drainage and sewage systems,” he said, “In worst case scenario, in terms of flooding, storm water and rainfall, 50 per cent of the entire population in vulnerable areas will have to be evacuated. We need a surface management plan for Karachi, and should evaluate and improve the design and maintenance of drainage system.”

While discussing the critical challenges, Anwar noted that there was no effective policy or regulation in place to deal with disasters.

“The rural Karachi will be threatened by drought-like situation,” warned Anwar, drawing attention to the obvious effects of climate change, including a decrease in green spaces and cultivated farmland.

He also highlighted the economic impact of climate change in coastal areas, especially to the fisheries.

“We need a flood insurance cover and develop a ground water profile and policy,” he said, while stressing on a drought plan for Karachi along with a revision policies in various institutions.

Earlier, Roland de Souza of Shehri took his audience through a series of visual slides and highlighted the cost the world was paying for its luxuries. He called the entire issue a ‘cancer’ and advised the audience to make others aware of this ‘disease’.

“In 2010, the country affected most was Pakistan, and there will be a repeat of this,” he warned, zeroing in on elite consumerism and increased dependence on private vehicles as major causes of greenhouse emission.

Dr Noman Ahmed, professor and chairman of architecture and planning department at the NED University, discussed the role of stakeholders and other various entities in combating climate change. Replying to a query, Dr Ahmed underlined the importance of public participation regarding climate change.

“We need to demonstrate the negative impact of climate change in our day-to-day lives, and this will rapidly bring awareness among the public,” he said.

General Secretary of Shehri Amber Alibhai noted that at present our institutions cannot deal with the task of mitigating dramatic climate changes.

Highlighting the water problem, she cited the example of Gadap where people had given up crop cultivation due to water scarcity. Another reason, she said, was gravel excavation that had a serious impact on the city.

“Reti bajri comes from riverbeds that we need for our sustainability,” she said, adding that this is a serious impact of real estate that should be addressed.

A short documentary on the hazards of climate change, put together by students of the NED University, was also screened at the workshop.

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