Senator Sherry Rehman delivered closing keyinote address at "Policy Action Dialogue
New authorities aren't the solution: streamlining existing systems is key, Sherry Rehman
By imtiaz Ali Abbasi Islamabad
Islamabad – September 13, 2024
Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, delivered the closing keynote address at the three-day "Policy Action Dialogue: Tackling Climate Change Impacts on Cryosphere, Water, Food Security, and Disaster Risk Reduction." In her keynote, Senator Sherry Rehman said, "The Authorities which are seen as silver bullets to governance and policy coordination, they just become part of government bloat. The answer is not creating new, parallel bodies that impinge on provincial powers as well as federal government, but making existing structures responsive, agile and accountable".
Senator Rehman emphasized the critical importance of addressing the cryosphere and its rapid degradation due to climate change. "The cryosphere, or the Earth's ice in all its forms, is an essential part of our ecosystem, and it is under threat due to human actions," she remarked. "The glaciers in Pakistan, which serve as 'Asian water towers,' are not just a natural resource but have now become a challenge. The precipitated meltdown of these glaciers is a direct result of global warming and environmental degradation."
She also unpacked the interconnectedness between local and global climate issues, pointing out how the impacts of climate change are felt worldwide, from the Arctic to the Himalayas. "Permafrost and ice sheets are melting, releasing ancient pathogens, posing new threats to human health. The impacts of climate change on human health are incalculable and growing," she stated.
Senator Rehman said, "Climate change is a meta-trend that impacts everything. We need to understand that policy alone will not work unless it is coordinated across the local, provincial, and federal levels. The idea that creating more authorities will solve our problems is misguided. What we need is a streamlined system where the right people are in the right positions, and policies are actually implemented."
"Our river system is glacial-fed, and as these glaciers melt, we are seeing unprecedented flooding. The water that comes down from these glaciers is unstoppable, taking out infrastructure and livelihoods in its path. This is not just an environmental issue but one that affects agriculture, food security, and disaster risk management," she added.
She said, "Pakistan cannot wait for international financing. We need to take action ourselves and invest in local solutions to manage the risks posed by climate change. The Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) program with UNDP is a successful example of how local solutions can work to protect vulnerable communities."
Concluding her speech, Senator Rehman urged for immediate action and greater public engagement in climate advocacy. "Climate change is happening now, and it cannot be deferred. The impacts are already being felt across Pakistan, and we must empower our environment protection institutions to act. We cannot afford to be complacent any longer."
The "Policy Action Dialogue" aimed to explore strategies to tackle climate change impacts on critical areas such as the cryosphere, water security, food systems, and disaster preparedness. The event was organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC).
