The first Climate change ministry has been formed in the government. The federal Government established this under the “Climate Change Act 2017”. In its ruling, a three-member Supreme Court bench instructed the Federal Government to establish the Climate Change Authority. This was done in order to address the threats posed by global warming and environmental degradation. As per the Climate Change Act 2017, the Authority’s headquarters will be located in Islamabad. Establishing offices elsewhere when needed remains optional for now.
Departments and vision of the Climate Change Ministry
The ministerial department will be overseen by Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam who is a co ordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Co ordination cabinet. Additionally, the secretary is Mr. Eazaz A. Dar. The departments of this ministry include:
- Global Change Impacts Studies centre: This department is solely made to foster the research with regards to the effects and levels of impact to the nation and on a global level. This kind information is considered utterly useful in guiding national planners and policies.
- Islamabad Wildlife Management: The chair person for this department is Mrs. Rina Saeed Khan. She informed that this department is mainly responsible for managing and ensuring the health of dense forests near Islamabad. The marghalla hills are a prominent feature that nearly engulf the capital and with rising consumerism, the threat to this wildlife needed to be countered.
- Zoological survey of Pakistan: This department is responsible for maintaining coninous research and collecting statistical data on the wildlife animals. It promotes scientific knowledge, discussions, reports etc. of animals.
- Environmental Protection Agency: The Environmental protection Agency was earlier also a key component of the Ministerial Department “Ministry of Environment”. This typically deals with matters such as air pollution, radioactive waste management, and the promotion of civilian use of environmental isotopes.
The “vision” as per the ministry’s official page is, “To mainstream climate change in the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the economy and to steer Pakistan towards climate resilient development”.
