13 January 2016: A stakeholders’ consultative workshop held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad, Pakistan, has established the Pakistan Panel on Climate Change (PPCC) – a think tank aimed to provide science-based technical support to the public and private sectors and civil society in Pakistan and South Asia on matters related to climate change policy.

Set up with support from the Sustainable Development Centre (SDC) and IPS, among others, the PPCC will review the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information on climate change, and assess climate change impacts on different sectors in Pakistan. It will contribute to decision making by mainstreaming climate change in sectoral policies, legislation, plans and programmes through advocacy, awareness raising and capacity building. Governed by the Steering Committee, the Panel will comprise five Working Groups focusing on: policies and laws, strategies and plans; climate change vulnerability, impacts and adaptation; mitigation; advocacy and outreach; and awareness raising and capacity building.

Partner organizations, scientists and individuals are expected to contribute to the work of the Panel, which will liaise with the federal, provincial and district governments to provide them with technical support. The PPCC priority activities include: publication of an annual report on the state of climate change in Pakistan; maintaining a directory of institutions and organizations engaged in climate change-related work; running a Climate Change Portal; awareness raising in high-impact sectors, including energy, transport and forestry; capacity building; and technical assistance for mainstreaming climate change in development planning.

The workshop took place on 13 January 2016. [SDC Press Release] [Establishing a Panel on Climate Change in Pakistan] [IISD RS Sources]