"Pakistan is well aware of the devastating effects of climate change and is one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are bearing the brunt of climate change in the form of glacial melting, floods, and droughts," said Ambassador Masood Khan on Thursday.
Last year floods were the most massive and the most destructive in the past eight decades in our history. Some 20 million people were affected by these floods in an area of 160,000 square kilometres, roughly the size of Guangdong Province, said Ambassador Khan while addressing as one of the keynote speakers at the 2011 Global Urban Forum here.
Supporting the Forum's theme New Energy, New Technology, Smart City and Sustainable Development, Khan said the venue was most germane to the leadership role China was playing to create smart cities for sustainable development.
In the past several years, he said, "we have spent around four billion dollars to fight off climate change and environmental degradation." On top of that, because of the floods we had incurred direct losses of 10 billion dollars and indirect damages of 43 billion dollars, Khan said and adding, "we are now in the reconstruction phase."
He pointed out that in hundreds of neighbourhoods across the country, from North to South and from East to West, we have to build from scratch houses, roads, railroads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Most importantly, we have to bring agriculture, the main source of livelihood and sustenance for the people affected by floods, back on track.
Ambassador Khan said, "Pakistan believes that the best way to develop and use clean energy, reduce deforestation, and prepare our populations to face the adverse impact of climate change is by creating smart cities." China has started doing that in a very impressive manner. We want to congratulate the Chinese Government, industry, and all actors of civil society for taking a series of measures to craft a vision for environment-friendly eco cities or green towns, Khan observed.
Enumerating his own experience while living in Beijing since last over two years, Ambassador Khan said Government officials, corporate leaders, academics, the media, activists take environment seriously and religiously pursue eco-friendly regimens.
Three features are distinct as pointed out by United Nations, they are - China has created an impressive architecture for addressing climate change; it has set high targets for energy efficiency and conservation and China is investing heavily in the research and technology of renewable energy.
China's aims and objectives for sustainable development are reflected in the 12th five-year plan (2011 to 2016). Visits to China's cities, he said, one is struck by the growth of green technologies. Solar panels adorn office and private buildings. Wind farms are sprouting every where. It is becoming fashionable to buy energy efficient appliances.
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