ISLAMABAD: Countries in Asia and the Pacific are at the crossroads and must now strike a balance between rising prosperity and rising emissions, said a UNDP Human Development Report launched here on Wednesday.
"Asia-Pacific can no longer afford to grow first and clean up later. Their success or failure will have repercussions worldwide," stated the Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2012.
The report titled " One Planet to Share: Sustaining Human Progress in a Changing Climate " has urged that the Asia-Pacific region must continue to grow economically to lift millions out of poverty, but it must also respond to climate change to survive.
The publication is aimed at reinvigorating climate change dialogue by bringing people's concerns to the fore in the lead-up to the Rio +20 conference.
Addressing the ceremony Secretary Ministry of Climate Change, Muhammad Javed Malik reiterated that the recommendations of these strategic documents and climate change policy must be translated into concrete actions and form an integral part of the human development agenda in Pakistan.
He also reiterated the commitment of the government to cope with the challenges emerging out of climatic changes.
Presenting the findings of the report, Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director, UNDP said, ?Asia-Pacific region including Pakistan needs to walk the tightrope between the pursuit of economic growth and vulnerability to climate change.
"We witness increasing frequency and impacts of climate related disasters. Disaster risk reduction is a must for any sustainable development strategy to be successful," he added.
What happens in this region, which is home to more than half the world's population and half of the planet's megacities, can make a global difference. The report says "countries of the developing Asia-Pacific are much less locked into the old, carbon-intensive ways of production and consumption.
Asia-Pacific not only has the imperative, it also has the opportunity to manage development differently." The report mentions that in the face of climate change, countries in Asia and the Pacific "will need to change the way they manufacture goods, raise crops and livestock, and generate energy."
This will mean, the report added, moving to greener, more resilient, lower-emission options that not only sustain the environment but also offer opportunities to the poor for employment and income."
At the launch, a presentation on Pakistan's National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) was also shared.
The NSDS will be presented at Rio +20 and it envisions to evolve a just and harmonious society in Pakistan through promotion of sustainable and inclusive growth without over exploitation of the country's natural resources.
The NSDS focuses on integrating economic, social and environmental dimensions into the current development model with a view to make it more sustainable and equitable.
In his remarks, Timo Pakala, UN Resident Coordinator Congratulated Pakistan for preparing the NSDS and the National Climate Change Policy. "These two documents and testimonials to the commitment of Federal and Provincial governments to promote sustainable growth and address the effect of climate change in Pakistan."
National Climate Change Policy was also presented on the occasion. The policy recently approved by the Federal Cabinet provides for a framework to address the issues Pakistan faces due to climate change and suggests ways and means to adapt to and mitigate the ravages posed by climate change.
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