The Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with CLASP and HIMA^Verte hold launch workshop at Islamabad on December 21, 2021 to start development of the Pakistan Cooling Action Plan (PCAP).
“At the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow last month, Pakistan submitted an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) plan to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030”, 15% of the same on voluntary basis and 35% subject to availability of international climate finance and technology transfer, stated Senior Joint Secretary Syed Mujtaba Hussain of the Climate Change Ministry. Developing the Pakistan Cooling Action Plan (PCAP) is a component of these new climate ambitions.
Representatives from government and private sector participated in this consultative meeting. These included Ministry of Climate Change, National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, National Ozone Unit, Global Change Impact Study Centre, Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Electronic Manufacturers Association, UNIDO, UNDP, ASHRAE, WWF - Pakistan, UNEP, JICA and the World Bank.
Participants welcomed and supported the initiative of developing a cooling plan for Pakistan, and gave a number of suggestions. One of the key issues highlighted was the need for more accurate data about existing cooling appliances and associated emissions to establish a strong baseline.
Once a baseline of GHG emissions from the cooling sector is established, projections of cooling needs for the country till 2030 will be estimated. Finally a cooling plan will be articulated which will target reduction in GHG emissions while still meeting future cooling demands. Development of the Pakistan Cooling Action Plan is expected to be completed by 2023.
Syed Mujtaba Hussain (Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change) concluded the workshop by committing to take the initiative forward by notifying a PCAP Working Group under the overall guidance & support of the Ministry that will provide a platform for all relevant stakeholders. He requested CLASP & HIMA^Verte to provide technical and financial support over the next two years.
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