Megacities and Climate Change – “Sustainable Cities in a Changing World” 

November 16-22, 2008

Mexico

To discuss the impact of increased urbanization on our environment and challenges of ever increasing Climate Change, LEAD International organized an International Session on Megacities and Climate Change, at Mexico City from November 16-22, 2008.

The International Session aimed to spearhead a debate on the role of leadership in addressing the direct and indirect problems of climate change in megacities. Placing the debate in the context of the world’s third – largest megacity, Mexico City, the session focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges presented under the following key issues of: Water and Sanitation, Energy production and consumption, Land Use and Urban Development, and Urban Transport and Mobility. 

More than 150 LEADER’s (Associates, Cohort 13 and Fellows) from all 14 member programmes, participated in the seven day, training programme. Through presentations, interactive panel discussions, dialogues and site visits, participants were provided the opportunity to better understand the aforementioned four core issues, placing them in a local dimension while also considering the broader picture, of how these issues impact at a global level and interact with cross cutting themes, like governance. The Minister for the local government and rural development, and other renowned professionals talked through the various sessions as faculty and speakers.

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Ecological Footprinting Technology in Pakistan
 

As part of its Corporate Greening mission, LEAD Pakistan is set to pilot the project “Climate Change Mitigation: Greening Organizations to Reduce Ecological Footprints”. The project intends to adopt scientific and evidence based approaches for raising awareness of climate change and sustainable development among the target audience and will introduce the innovative Ecological Footprinting (EF) technology in Pakistan. The EF calculator developed by the project will be promoted among target organizations in Pakistan as a consumption planning tool and will guide decision makers on reducing the ecological impacts of their work related activities. Information of applying and utilizing the technology will be provided to selected organizations through training workshops, documentaries and case studies. 

The project is co-sponsored by the APFED Showcase Program, 2008

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The Planning Commission Task Force on Climate Change Formed

October 14, 2008

Islamabad, Pakistan
 

Mr. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh (National Program Director, LEAD Pakistan) has been selected as a member of the task force established by The Planning Commission to address the challenges related to the phenomenon of climate change. The task force comprises prominent scholars, renowned scientists and managers, having vast experience in dealing with the subject. Science and Technology Adviser/Minister of State Planning Commission Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, a prominent scholar and a highly reputed scientist would chair the task force. It would be co-chaired by former chairman of WAPDA Shamsul Mulk, who is considered an authority on Pakistan’s water resources.

The task force will comprehend the scope of impact due to the climate change to Pakistan’s economy and devise guidelines for mitigation and adaptation to cope with the challenges. Besides, it will evaluate institutional weaknesses and suggest measures for strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions in addition to promoting programme for advocacy and awareness.

Mr. Sheikh, will represent the civil society on this forum and will contribute based on the experience that it has gained in the area of Climate Change. LEAD Pakistan is well poised to advise the task force as they have policy advice structure in place, that are An Advisory Board consisting of eminent experts, the National Network on Climate Change (NNCC) and the Knowledge Network on Climate Change (KNCC), for furthering the climate change agenda and promoting knowledge exchange and communication among diverse actors. 

Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, former United Nations Environment Programme deputy executive director, who has vast international experience at policy level and is well versed with the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change in Pakistan’s context, is also a member of the task force. The other members include Environment Secretary Khushnood Ahmed Lashari, WAPDA Chairman Shakeel Ahmed Durrani, Pakistan Meteorological Department Director General Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman and Global Change Impact Study Centre Executive Director Dr Arshad M Khan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=140902

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\10\14\story_14-10-2008_pg5_16

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ASEM Seminar on Adaptation to Climate Change

October 02-03, 2008

Tokyo, Japan

As a result of our credible work related to Climate Change, LEAD Pakistan was invited to attend the seminar under the auspices of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Adaptation to Climate Change. Ms. Dina Khan represented LEAD Pakistan at the seminar jointly organized by the European Commission and the Government of Japan, held on October 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. 

This forum was an opportunity for participating countries and organizations to showcase policy and research developments, as well as future plans to address the issue of Adaptation.  Ms. Dina Khan presented LEAD Pakistan's work in a presentation. The Chair's conclusions will feed into the ASEM Summit, to be held in Beijing in late October. Further event information can be found at: http://www.aseminfoboard.org/Calendar/Activities/?id=243

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2008 Asia – Pacific Leadership Programme On Environment for Sustainable Development

September 15-20, 2008

Tongji University, Shanghai, China

http://www.rrcap.unep.org/leadership/ptcp.cfm

Our colleague from LEAD Pakistan, Isma Sana from training unit shares reflections from her recent visit to China, as she participated in 2008 Asia – Pacific Leadership Programme on Environment for Sustainable Development, held from 15th to 20th September in Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, Shanghai, China.
 
The Asia Pacific Leadership Programme aims to improve the overall thinking and decision making abilities of young and emerging leaders working with government organizations, NGOs and private enterprises in the Asia - Pacific Region, direct and guide them to take into account the balance between environment and sustainable development in decision making and foster their insight, enabling them to coordinate factors of human, environment and sustainable development, while dealing with complex rather demanding practical problems.

Read more about the reflections, experiences and international exposure

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MoU signed between LEAD Pakistan and Pakistan Meteorological Department

July 08, 2008

Islamabad, Pakistan

An MoU was signed between LEAD Pakistan and PMD with the intention to promote collaboration and coordination on a broad range of climate change activities. The agreement states that: 

PMD and LEAD wish to support each other in their work and provide strategic benefits of research, management, training, and development programs on Climate Change.

1. PMD agrees to collaborate with LEAD in utilizing knowledge and expertise for designing and implementing development activities that can be effective in the field of Climate Change. PMD and LEAD will work together, in a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance the use of said expertise and knowledge. This MOU may be amended, modified and/or extended only by mutual consent and in writing from both of the Parties hereto.

2. LEAD agrees to work with PMD to identify and establish relationships which, mobilize, capacitate and provide training to communities and stakeholders at various levels to effectively work on the identified climate change issues and to provide services tailored to their needs.

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