CLIMATE CHANGE

By Dr Haleema Munir
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
 The planet's climate has constantly been changing over
geological time.

 The global average temperature today is about 15C

 Current period of warming is occurring more rapidly.

 Anthropogenic factors
WHAT IS GREENHOUSE EFFECT?
 the greenhouse effect refers to the way the earth's atmosphere
traps some of the energy from the sun.

  It heats both the lower atmosphere and the surface.

 Without greenhouse effect, the earth would be 30C colder,

making our planet hostile to life.

 CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour etc.

WHAT IS GREENHOUSE EFFECT?
(CONTD.
 Scientists believe we are adding to the natural
greenhouse effect with gases released from industry and
agriculture.

 Most man-made emissions of CO2 are through the

burning of fossil fuels, as well as through cutting down
carbon absorbing forests.

 Since the industrial revolution began in 1750, CO2 levels

have risen b ore than 30pc.
 EVIDENCE FOR WARMING:
 Temperature records going back to the late 19th century show
that the average temperature of the earth's surface has increased
by about 0.8C in the last 100 years.
 About 0.6C of this warming occurred in the last three decades.

 Satellite data shows an average increase in global sea levels of

3mm per year in recent decades. (thermal expansion plus melting
of mountain glaciers and retreat of polar ice sheets).
 Satellite records show a dramatic decline in Arctic sea-ice extent,
at an annual rate of 4% per decade.
 Greenland ice sheet has experienced record melting in recent
years.
HOW MUCH WILL TEMPERATURE
RISE IN FUTURE?
 In its 2013 assessment, the IPCC forecasted that by the
end of 21st century, global surface temperature is likely
to exceed 1.5C relative to 1850.
 A threshold of 2C had long been regarded as the gateway
to dangerous warming (catastrophic).
  But more recently, scientists have argued that keeping
temperature rise to within 1.5C is a safer limit for the
world.
  Keeping to 1.5C target would require rapid, far-reaching
and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.
HOW WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT
US?
 Freshwater shortages
 Changes in food production conditions

 Floods

 Storms

 Heat waves

 Droughts

 Plant and animal extinctions

 Malnutrition

 Acidification of oceans due to uptake of CO2 by oceans.

Poor countries are suffering the most.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO COUNTER
THIS?
1. Mitigation:
 Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent the
emission of greenhouse gases, or to enhance the
absorption of gases already emitted, thus limiting the
magnitude of future warming.
  The use of new technologies, clean energy sources,
reduced deforestation, improved sustainable agricultural
methods, and changes in individual and collective
behavior.
   Substantial co-benefits of air quality, biodiversity and
sustainable development.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO COUNTER
THIS?

 2. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR):

  CDR aims to reduce concentrations already in the atmosphere. 

 Technologies mostly in infancy.

 Natural CDR includes reforestation and ecosystem restoration.

3. Adaptation: 
 Actions taken to manage the impacts of climate change.

 The aim is to reduce the vulnerability and exposure to harmful

effects of climate change.
 Reducing disaster-risks, flood and drought early warning
systems, improving water storage and use, making people and
institutions more resilient.
CLIMATE GOVERNANCE
 Keeps tabs on the problem and what's being done about
it via regular reports about climate change policies,
emissions levels.
UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK
CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE:

 In 1992, the United Nation's "earth summit" procuded

(UNFCCC) as a first step in addressing the climate
change problem.
 Aim was to prevent dangerous human interference with
the climate system.
 Near universal membership(197) recognized that there
was a problem.
 Set a lofty but specific goal.

 Put onus on developed countries to lead the way.

 Directs new funds to climate change activities in

developing countries.
KYOTO PROTOCOL:

 An international treaty, adopted in 1997. 

 Aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to
global warming.
 6 gases: co2, methane, nitrous oxid, perfluorobarbons,
hydrofluorocarbons and sulfur hexalouoride.
 41 plus EU countries..

 Below 5.2 pc below 1990 levels.

 Commitment period 2008-2012, second 2013 to 2020.

 China and US were not bound by it.

 COPENHAGEN ACCORD

  Reached between US, China, India, Brazil and South

Africa in 2009.
 No legally binding agreement.

 Recognized the need to limit global temperatures rising

no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.
 Sets no real targets to achieve emissions reduction.

 Promise to deliver aid for developing countries.

 
PARIS AGREEMENT
 Adopted by nearly every nation in 2015. 
 21st COP, UNCCC

 Aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to

limit global temp rise in this century to 2C, while pursuing means
to limit increase to 1.5C.
 Intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) Developed
nations to assist developing nations in their climate and
adaptation efforts.
 Only Russia, Turkey and Iran to join the agreement.

 Trump announced to withdraw from it.

 Biden rejoined on Jan 20th, 2021

COP26
 For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together
almost every country on earth for global climate summits, –
called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’.
In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe
issue to a global priority.
 This year was the 26th annual summit – giving it the name
COP26.
 With the UK as President, COP26 took place in Glasgow.

 In the run up to COP26 the UK worked with every nation to

reach agreement on how to tackle climate change. World
leaders arrived in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of
negotiators, government representatives, businesses and
citizens for twelve days of talks.
COY 16
 COY16 was the 16th United Nations Climate Change
Conference of Youth.
 Organised in collaboration with YOUNGO, The Official
Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it was one
of the largest entirely youth-led global youth climate
conferences in the world.
 The conference took place from 28-31 October 2021,
days before the annual United Nations Climate Change
Conference, also known as COP.
COP26 ACHIEVEMENTS AT A GLANCE:
Mitigation:
 Over 90% of world GDP is now covered by net zero
commitments.
 153 countries put forward new 2030 emissions targets
(NDCs).
 In Glasgow, countries agreed to come back next year with
new strengthened commitments, a new UN climate
programme on mitigation ambition, and they finalised the
Paris Rulebook.
 To deliver on these stretching targets, the Presidency has
driven commitments to move away from coal power, halt
and reverse deforestation, reduce methane emissions and
speed up the switch to electric vehicles.
Adaptation: boosted efforts to deal with climate impacts
 80 countries are now covered by either Adaptation
Communications or National Adaptation Plans to increase
preparedness to climate risks, with 45 submitted over the last
year.
 The Glasgow - Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme on the
Global Goal on Adaptation was agreed, which will drive
adaptation action. Record amounts of adaptation finance have
been pledged, including committing to doubling 2019 levels of
adaptation finance by 2025.
 This is the first time an adaptation

 specific financing goal has ever been agreed globally. Nations

have announced new partnerships to improve access to
finance.
 The Santiago Network on Loss and Damage was brought to
life through clear functions and funding.
Finance: mobilised billions and trillions
 Developed countries have made progress towards delivering
the $100 billion climate finance goal and will reach it by 2023
at the latest.
 34 countries and five public finance institutions will stop
international support for the unabated fossil fuel energy sector
next year.
 Private financial institutions and central banks are moving to
realign trillions towards global net zero.
 In Glasgow, countries agreed the way forward for the new
post-2025 climate finance goal.
 Developed countries committed significantly increased
funding to vital funds such as the Least Developed Countries
Fund.
Collaboration: working together to deliver
 The Glasgow Breakthroughs will accelerate collaboration
between governments, businesses and civil society to deliver
on climate goals faster, whilst collaborative councils and
dialogues in energy, electric vehicles, shipping and
commodities will help deliver on commitments.

 At COP26, participants finalised the Paris Rulebook - agreeing

the ‘enhanced transparency framework’ (common reporting of
emissions and support), a new mechanism and standards for
international carbon markets, and common timeframes for
emissions reductions targets.
PAKISTAN'S VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS:

 Increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather

events.
 Projected recession of Hindukush-karakoram-Himalayan
glaciers.
 Reduced agricultural productivity..

 Intrusion of saline water in the indus delta

 Threat to coastal areas due to sea level rise. Water

disputes
 Health risks and climate change induced migration

 Smog!!
 WHAT CAN PAKISTAN DO? ADAPTATION
 Integrated water management: storage, conservation, allocation,
groundwater regulation, recycling, sea-water intrusion.
 Agriculture management: research, development of resistant
variety of crops and breeds of livestock, productivity, irrigation
technology.
 Health management: vulnerability assessment, training, education,
availability of medicines and vaccines, monitoring.
 Forest management: preservation, reforestation, etc

 Biodiversity management: research, seed and gene banks,

conservatories, ecosystem preservation and restoration.
  Disaster management: preparedness, finances, institutional
capacity building, warning systems
 WHAT CAN PAKISTAN DO? MITIGATION
  Energy systems: energy is the biggest source of GHG
emissions in Pakistan. (51%) followed by agriculture (39%),
industry (6%).
 Priority to renewables, nuclear, efficiency, conservation

 Transport system: regulation, public transport

 Town planning: waste water treatment plants, solid waste

management, low carbon footprint design, vertical expansion
 Industries: economic incentrives for emission reduction,
efficiency, monitoring and research,
 Support global climate efforts with UNFCCC, UNEP, IPCC,
WMO, and others.
 Use of SAARC.
SUCCESSES ACHIEVED BY PAKISTAN:
 Billion tree tsunami

 Ten billion tree tsunami

 Brick kilns shifting to zig-zag technology

 The only sustainable development goal ACHIEVED by

Pakistan
THANK YOU!