Amjad Mehmood

ISLAMABAD: The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Christian Turner addressing an event here in Islamabad said that ‘COP26’ (Conference of the Parties) which is the next annual UN climate change conference would have four major goals. Describing to each, he said the first goal is to ask the countries to step forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets which were aligned to reach net-zero by the middle of the century to keep 1.5 degrees within reach. He termed it an effect mitigation goal.
He said the second goal is to push for the support for vulnerable countries like Pakistan to protect and restore the ecosystems, build resilience, and avoid the loss of homes, livelihood, and lives with a special focus on adaptation. He said the third goal is focused on finance and the commitments of developed countries to mobilize a hundred billion dollars in climate finance per year is a very steep and essential step to maintain the financial flow. He
also urged mobilizing the private sector to avoid failure. He said the fourth and last goal is the development of collaboration which cannot be made without the support of governments, businesses, civil society for real progress in reducing emissions.
He stressed that Pakistan can also play a vital role in this global mission. The event titled ‘Pre-COP26 Dialogue’ was organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in collaboration with the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), and the Embassy of France at Islamabad. The event was aimed to share the ideas on climate change in the run-up to the COP26. The UK will
host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.
Turner said that the conference is a Chane for the UK with Italy to convene the countries of the world and see how the things move to the next level. He appreciated the organizers for arrangement of a useful event on an important global issue.
He shared the four goals of COP26 and part of his speech at the event through his Twitter account (@CTurnerFCDO). The other dignitaries in their address termed climate change a shared responsibility and urged the need for global partnership to handle the climate change issue in the world.