National Youth Forum on Green Solutions- Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions organized on 5th -6th November 2012, at National University of
Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Three important outcome documents were developed by the
participants of NYF through group discussion, and virtual consultation. The
two outcome documents developed during the National Youth Forum are “Post 2015
Agenda” and “Youth Appeal for COP18” which was presented during the “Global
Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions- from Rio de janerio to
Doha” in UNFCCC COP18/CMP8 (Doha Conference). 'My COP Pocket Book' Urdu translation was developed by APYTF and PDO.
'My COP Pocket Book’ Urdu translation
Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 (APYTF) and PDO developed ‘My COP Pocket Book’ Urdu translation. The COP Pocket Book is available on the following link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/115297210/My-Little-COP-PocketBook-Pakistani-Translation
Youth Appeal for COP18
Background
National
Youth Forum on Green solutions- Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions was
organized by Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 with the support of Peace
& Development Organization (PDO) and International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Islamabad on November, 5th-6th
2012. The purpose of youth forum was to
build the build youth capacities and sensitize them for the future
environmental challenges to deal with.
The forum finally came up with the development of “Appeal for COP 18”.
COP
18
The
eighteenth session of Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations
Conference on Climate Change is going to be held in Doha, Qatar. COP 18
‘The Sustainable Innovation Forum’ will concentrate on actions,
solutions and leadership as well as the challenges and opportunities that exist
for sustainable development.
The
working group came up with the following three major areas of concerns that
need to be focused and addressed by the national and international community.
1.
Conservation of Natural resources
2.
Youth Participation in Policy Making
3.
International Issues
1.
Conservation of natural resources
Pakistan is blessed with precious assets of Natural resources.
Following are the major issues to be addressed;
1.1
Water resource Management
Pakistan is agriculture based economy, with increase in the
concern for water consumption. The authorities in Pakistan are least concerned
and sensitized about the water crisis and increased water demand. The food
security is already at stake. There is a
dire need to develop proper plan for water management in all the dimensions
such as increasing storage capacity, agricultural innovations, the recycling
and reuse of the wastewater, controlling the loss of the essential and
significant nutrients, and avoiding the contamination of water bodies and
significant water losses.
1.2
Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies
Pakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis. Energy demand
is higher than the production which affects every segment of life. Pakistan has
already developed its renewable energy policy, but the only significant barrier
to the implementation of this policy is the capital cost of renewable
technologies. These renewable technologies are expensive Government of Pakistan
is not ready to subsidize these technologies which include technologies such
as; wind mill, hydropower, solar energy and the bio-gas systems. The more focus
to renewable energy and green solutions enable us to overcome energy crisis.
1.3
Sustainable Mountain Development
Pakistan is rich in natural resources like minerals, freshwater,
forests and biodiversity. The natural resources are not fully discovered in
mountainous regions of Pakistan. The local communities are not well aware of
their ecosystem productivities, and the economic benefits they can get from
their locally available natural resources. The mineral extraction practices in
the mountain areas of Pakistan are very destructive to the natural ecosystem
and severely damage the environment and biodiversity. Capacity building and awareness
rising to utilize local resources and protect them will increase protection
which will contribute to the conservation of Mountains and the biodiversity
they inhabit. It will help local communities to cope with the disasters and
overcome their problems, which in return will make them resilient to the
natural hazards and local mafia.
2.
Youth Participation in Policy Making
Youth is always ignored in the policy making and are not often
given the right of participation, while in reality they are the subject to face
the outcomes of the policies in the long-term.
Following gaps identified by the group members need to be
addressed;
2.1
Education for All
The constitution of Pakistan requires the government to provide
free education at primary and secondary levels for every Pakistani citizen,
however it has not yet implemented. More investment in education sector through
policy implementation and raising awareness is essential.
2.2
Youth Empowerment
Youth should have right to participate in policy process, and should
have their opinion and right of expression. Youth must be empowered in such a
manner that they can hold the decision makers accountable for their actions.
They must be given legal status as “stakeholder” in all fields of life.
2.3
Involvement of Stakeholders
Along with youth all other stakeholders of the community,
organizations and private sectors should be involved in the process of Policy
formulation. The participation in real terms is critical to effective policy
formulation.
2.4
Gaps between Academia, Legislature and Industry
There is a lot of research carried out in the academic and
research institutions but the problem is the legislature the representatives of
the communities, organization and industries do not consult the research
institutions and academia in the policy formulation process and production of
goods. Interventions and policies should be researched based on research, which
will provide a better planning opportunity.
3.
International Issues
3.1
Global Alliance for Environmental Cooperation
To overcome the drastic effects of the anthropogenic activities on
environment and to mitigate the impacts of the damages made by humans to the
Mother Nature, the best solution is the global alliance for environmental
cooperation. It’s a dire need of the current times that the developed countries
instead of providing financial loans and aids should transfer technology, build
capacities of the developing country so they can fulfill their needs from their
own capacities and their available resources, vis-a-vis developed countries can
learn green practices that harm less to the environment from the underdeveloped
and the developing countries, because many of the under and the developing
countries their nations have traditional practices which have green impacts on the
environment. So the ideas sharing and research collaborations in this regard
can be helpful enough to the sustainable developments.
3.2
Youth Empowerment
Youth empowerment, by preparing them for tomorrow through
awareness, is the most effective tool for sustainable development and for green
productivity sensitization. However the youth of under privileged countries can
play a considerable role in the development. Their empowerment and capacity
building is important, let youth plan themselves how they adapt to the climate
change, and how they prepare themselves for the disasters. Developed nations
should play their role in the empowerment and capacity building of the
developing nation’s youth.
3.3
Energy Crisis
Transfer of the technology from the developed countries and the
resource provision is as important to help these under developed countries in
the context of energy crisis.
Post 2015 Agenda
Poverty
Literacy
&
Environment
Sustainability
Poverty, low literacy rates and environmental sustainability
are some of the key challenges faced by the humankind presently. In order to
eradicate poverty, increase literacy and sustainability in environment;
National Youth Forum on Green Solutions, 2012 held in Islamabad organized by
Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 (APYTF) which is formed inspired by the ICIMOD's “youth for sustainable mountain development” initiative, in collaboration with
Peace & Development Organization, provided an opportunity to Pakistani Youth
to come forward with suggestions, ideas and policy recommendations and draft
Post 2015 agenda. It was drafted by 25 selected youth from all over the country
through group work and virtual consultation. This paper attempts to provide
background and insights into the issues at hand, while also giving
recommendations and suggestions for improvement of the present situation. The
paper is being presented as part of the process aimed at development of a
national paper to be presented in Doha later this year. The observations and
suggestions for each theme have been numbered for later reference and
quotation.
1.
Poverty
1.1 The Situation
1.1.1 The MDG number 1
stipulated “Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger” has not been achieved by
Pakistan. No significant progress has been made in pursuance of the targets set
in for achievement Millennium Development Goals, due by the year 2015.
1.1.2 On the contrary, poverty has been on the
rise in Pakistan instead of decreasing. Unbridled inflation coupled with
lethargic income growth has pushed millions of Pakistani citizens below the
poverty line.
1.2 The Challenges
1.2.1 Lack of effective policy framework,
bureaucratic hurdles in implementation of existing policies, mismanagement of
resources, lack of accountability and transparency, deterioration of law and
order situation and rapid population growth are key challenges/hurdles in
achieving this 1st of 8Millennium Development Goals.
1.2.2 Continuous natural calamities during the
last three years have also significantly affected economic activity by
destroying infrastructure and damaging centuries old human settlements.
1.3 The Recommendations
1.3.1 Continuation of democratic political
process, resolution of political issues, land reforms, emphasis on rural
development through modernization of the agriculture industry, to increase farm
yield, development of field to market and market to field infrastructure,
better management of vital resources, rule of law, justice for all, transparency,
accountability, and promotion of a culture of entrepreneurism, to enable the
young graduates and others to be productive parts of the economy.
1.3.2 Concrete efforts should be made to reduce
population growth rate; in this regard, use of advocacy campaigns using mass
media and through engaging religious clergy is imperative. Public–Private
partnership initiatives focusing awareness efforts in culturally closed areas
of the country may be encouraged.
2.
Literacy
2.1 The Situation
2.1.1 The MDG number 2 stipulated
“Achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015” has not been achieved by
Pakistan. Pakistan has gained some ground and literacy rate has increased from
35% in 2000 to 45%, according to official statistics, however the rate and
quality of education is not up to the mark. Similarly, the society is being
highly fragmented because of presence of separate educational systems for the
poor and the rich.
2.1.2 Significant steps have not
been taken in Pakistan to curb the issue of dropouts at different levels of
schools and colleges.
2.2 The Challenges
2.2.1 Poverty, child labor, lack
of awareness, absence of proper check and balance, ghost schools, terrorism,
violence, and above all, low budgetary allocation for education, are some of
the primary causes of low literacy rates in the country.
2.2.2 Further, in some parts of
the country, access to education is coercively denied to women and children in
the name of customs and traditions. In some cases, the advocates of education
for women are also being subjected to violence and ridicule, to discourage them
and fail their efforts aimed at increasing the literacy rate.
2.3 The Recommendations
2.3.1 Increment of budgetary
allocation for education to 10 percent of the annual budget.
2.3.2 Public-private
partnership for construction of better, safer and more schools in the country,
to increase enrollment and retention rate.
2.3.3 Provision
of Sustenance to poor families to eradicate child labor and increase school
enrollment.
2.3.4 Establishment
of Resource and Training Centers for Teachers in all parts of the country, to
improve the quality of education.
2.3.5 Review
and updating of the national syllabus and gradual measures towards improvement
of the public sector education.
2.3.6 Reforms
the Madrassah system of religious education, to modernize the teaching and
learning environment.
3.
Environment Sustainability
3.1 The Situation
3.1.1 The MDG number 7
stipulated “Environmental sustainability” has not been achieved by Pakistan.
Pakistan’s contribution to the global carbon emission is comparatively
insignificant because it is not a highly industrialized nation.
3.1.2 However, despite of not
being among the top carbon emitters, different parts of the country are faced
with issues of pollution, changes in weather pattern increase in frequency of
natural disasters and changes in temperature (climate change impacts).
3.1.3 The mountainous areas of
the country, especially Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Kohistan and the adjacent
areas, might be affected more in the years ahead because of global warming.
These regions have already faced exponential increase in frequency of disasters
(like glacier retreats, GLOF, landslides) which might be indicative of a change
in the climate.
3.2 The Challenges
3.2.1 There is no wide ranging and authentic
empirical study on effects of Climate Change in Pakistan. Weak legislation or
improper implementation frame work has left industrial waste go non-checked
into atmosphere and rivers. This is a reason for the rise in pollution, threat
to the large number of species inhabiting Pakistani rivers and other water
channels. Similarly, deforestation in mountainous region for the purpose of
commercial wood and timber mafia freedom is causing a huge environmental
threat.
3.2.2 Lack of awareness among masses about the
issue is big hurdle towards attaining environmental sustainability in Pakistan.
Unhygienic practices due to lack of awareness and poverty has aggravated the
already dire situation. Urbanization and resultantly unplanned urban
development with lack of proper civic facilities, and increasing poverty have
played great role in deteriorating Pakistan’s climate.
3.3 The Recommendations
3.3.1 Detailed
investigation of the impact of climate change on the glaciers, lakes, rivers
and human settlements of the mountainous areas, to ensure safety and
preparedness.
3.3.2 Legislations
and processes to ensure green practices at large, medium and small industries,
to ensure protection of the environment and improve quality of the life for the
people.
3.3.3 Stricter
implementation of the Pakistan Building Code, duly legalized by the government,
while observing that unsafely constructed buildings are proving to be major
hazards for the public.
3.3.4 Controlling
of deforestation, by growing forests, dismantling the timber mafia, providing
alternate sources of fuel energy to the public and by bringing the violators of
deforestation laws to justice. The environment-poverty nexus needs to be
addressed to arrive at sustainable solutions of environmental problems.
3.3.5 Development of detailed
national solid-waste management policy to guide the municipalities in handling
the solid-waste, which is a major cause of diseases and environmental
degradation.
3.3.6 Environmental Impact
Assessment of mega development projects, and its effective implementation to
ensure that local climate conditions are not affected to a major extent.
3.3.7 The importance of keeping
air and water clean, as they are common assets of all human beings living on
the planet earth should be emphasized. Teachers and religious clergy may be
encouraged to play affective role in spreading the message especially Islamic
teachings on clean practices and hygienic life style.
3.3.8 Measures to curb the
issues of migration to cities, which is adding extra burden on city
authorities, crippling the civic facilities and causing other issues, may be
explored.
3.3.9 Research-investment for
improvement of fertilizers and pesticides with special emphasize on organic
fertilizers to avoid water contamination should be encouraged.
3.3.10 Provision of facilities and
opportunities to rural communities, to stop their migration towards cities.
Green Financing Schemes may be initiated at grass root level to encourage
people to adapt to environment friendly practices/businesses.
3.3.11 A comprehensive Policy
chalking out specific measures to tap alternative energy potential of the
country (solar, wind, bio fuel etc.) should be developed. Separate R&D
funds may be allocated to researchers for improvement in alternative energy
sources. Private sector’s contribution in alternative energies may be
encouraged by reducing tariffs/waving off custom duties on imports. Investment
in this sector may be further encouraged by declaring alternative energy sector
as tax exempt.
Youth is always ignored in the policy making and are not often
given the right of participation, while in reality they are the subject to face
the outcomes of the policies in the long-term.
Following gaps identified by the group members need to be
addressed;
2.1
Education for All
The constitution of Pakistan requires the government to provide
free education at primary and secondary levels for every Pakistani citizen,
however it has not yet implemented. More investment in education sector through
policy implementation and raising awareness is essential.
2.2
Youth Empowerment
Youth should have right to participate in policy process, and should
have their opinion and right of expression. Youth must be empowered in such a
manner that they can hold the decision makers accountable for their actions.
They must be given legal status as “stakeholder” in all fields of life.
2.3
Involvement of Stakeholders
Along with youth all other stakeholders of the community,
organizations and private sectors should be involved in the process of Policy
formulation. The participation in real terms is critical to effective policy
formulation.
2.4
Gaps between Academia, Legislature and Industry
There is a lot of research carried out in the academic and
research institutions but the problem is the legislature the representatives of
the communities, organization and industries do not consult the research
institutions and academia in the policy formulation process and production of
goods. Interventions and policies should be researched based on research, which
will provide a better planning opportunity.
3.
International Issues
3.1
Global Alliance for Environmental Cooperation
To overcome the drastic effects of the anthropogenic activities on
environment and to mitigate the impacts of the damages made by humans to the
Mother Nature, the best solution is the global alliance for environmental
cooperation. It’s a dire need of the current times that the developed countries
instead of providing financial loans and aids should transfer technology, build
capacities of the developing country so they can fulfill their needs from their
own capacities and their available resources, vis-a-vis developed countries can
learn green practices that harm less to the environment from the underdeveloped
and the developing countries, because many of the under and the developing
countries their nations have traditional practices which have green impacts on the
environment. So the ideas sharing and research collaborations in this regard
can be helpful enough to the sustainable developments.
3.2
Youth Empowerment
Youth empowerment, by preparing them for tomorrow through
awareness, is the most effective tool for sustainable development and for green
productivity sensitization. However the youth of under privileged countries can
play a considerable role in the development. Their empowerment and capacity
building is important, let youth plan themselves how they adapt to the climate
change, and how they prepare themselves for the disasters. Developed nations
should play their role in the empowerment and capacity building of the
developing nation’s youth.
3.3
Energy Crisis
Transfer of the technology from the developed countries and the
resource provision is as important to help these under developed countries in
the context of energy crisis.
