Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me first thank the Government and people of Denmark for hosting this landmark Conference, making excellent arrangements and warm hospitality extended to all of us.
Pakistan aligns itself with the statement made by the Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the statement made by Sri Lanka on behalf of SAARC countries.
Mr. President,
We are in Copenhagen to conclude a fair and ambitious agreement to combat climate challenge.
We do this because the viability of our planet, the prosperity of our future generations, and indeed the survival of the human race depends on how effectively we are able to respond to the threats posed by Climate Change.
The presence of so many world leaders in Copenhagen is a clear manifestation of this realization.
It will be truly unfortunate for such a big gathering of world leaders to leave Copenhagen without an agreement.
This is certainly not what the world expects of us.
The deadlock in climate change talks, after the longstanding impasse in Doha Trade negotiations, is a clear sign of growing trust deficit between the developed and the developing world.
We must avail of this opportunity to explore means to bridge the growing divide at a time when we need closer international cooperation to combat global challenges.
Let Copenhagen be the starting point of this effort.
Mr. President,
Climate Change poses an existential threat for us.
Securing a fair and equitable agreement on Climate Change within the framework of existing instruments remains a priority for Pakistan.
On per capita basis, our emissions are very modest- roughly one third of world average. Pakistan is ranked at 135th in the list of emitters.
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change.
The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and a number of other studies point out that Pakistan will bear the brunt of Climate Change in multiple ways.
Pakistan depends on Himalayan glaciers in the North for fresh water. These glaciers are melting fast. It is likely to increase with rising global temperature. Pakistan will soon be a water stressed country.
In the South, the Indus delta is facing an ecological disaster due to intrusion of seawater in fertile lands. This coupled with intense heat wave is causing increased evaporation from water systems and poses a serious threat of food and water security with its negative implications on our economy.
Mr. President,
In Pakistan, we are grappling with many serious problems including adverse impacts of the financial, energy and food crises on our economy. This is on top of the challenges we confront in fighting extremism and terrorism.
We have lost precious lives and infrastructure in our war against extremism. The economic cost of this war for Pakistan comes to over US $ 35 billion since 2001-2002.
Despite these threats and challenges, we have taken a number of steps to address the challenge of Climate Change.
We are paying special attention to low carbon energy generation initiatives, including hydro, nuclear, wind and solar energy. Together they constitute 38% of our energy mix. We are also promoting low carbon emissions initiatives such as use of bio fuels and adoption of clean coal technology.
We have in fact been able to reduce our CO2 emissions by one million tons per annum by switching to natural gas as replacement of gasoline. We plan to reduce another 0.5 million tones CO2 by introducing 8000 CNG buses in place of diesel operated ones.
Similarly, energy conservation and energy efficiency is being pursued vigorously, as is re-forestation for combating Climate Change.
Pakistan has set a new world record of most tree plantations in a single day with the plantation of over half a million mangrove plants near the Karachi coastal belt.
Mr. President,
While Pakistan is ready to voluntarily contribute to any global effort, our highest priority remains the attainment of sustainable development and sustained economic growth.
The energy needs in Pakistan, in particular, are increasing exponentially.
We will have to rely on both traditional and non-traditional sources of energy to attain and sustain high growth rates for poverty alleviation and economic well-being of our people.
We place major emphasis on environmentally friendly sources of power generation including hydel, nuclear and clean coal technologies in our energy mix. We intend to add 8,800 MW of nuclear energy by 2025.
We call for the early development and deployment of Carbon Storage and Capture technologies.
We are determined to remain on the low carbon trajectory. However, our resources and capacity to adapt remains very limited.
We seek international support and assistance to urgently develop and implement nationally appropriate low carbon emission strategies.
Mr. President,
Copenhagen must deliver, at least a framework to continue our work in the lead up to Mexico.
All of us will have to contribute by focusing on the following key elements as the basis for a successful outcome:
a) Engage under the Kyoto Protocol to reach a multilateral agreement on the level of emissions reduction by developed country parties commensurate with their historical responsibilities. Pakistan supports a target of at least 40% cut by 2020 and more than 85% by 2050 with the baseline of 1990.
b) Agree on the provision and establishment of new institutional arrangements on finance and technology transfer, both for emission reduction efforts and adaptation to all developing countries to enable them to fairly contribute to the global efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).
c) Strengthen the existing Adaptation Fund with additional funds both from market and public sector sources.
d) Design the climate vulnerability criterion of countries on a scientific basis.
e) Avoid trade protectionism in the name of combating climate change.
Mr. President,
We all need to work together to save the planet for our future generations.
Pakistan for its part is ready to make its contribution.
I thank you.