The Leaders / Representatives of the UN member states and Executive Heads of IGOs made their respective policy interventions on ‘Climate Justice Diplomacy’ at the High-Level Segment of United Nations Climate Change Conference at Dubai on December 9, 2023.
The Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)_ an Intergovernmental Organization of 27 member states, was also invited.
Ambassador Zakaria stated that the countries in the Global South, particularly the Indus Basin States having population of about 300 million, are grappling with the consequences of climate change. He noted that the changing climate is causing security risks intrinsically linked to the stress on resources, which warrants urgent action. While acknowledging the fact that industrial activities have degraded environment over decades, he noted that wars destroy environment instantly on much larger scale. He underlined that Militaries, contribute 5.5% of GHGs emissions but remained exempted from accountability in Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreements. He stressed the need of an impact assessment of wars and military exercises to make the countries concerned responsible for the damage caused.
The Executive Director COMSATS stated that a critical review is needed to ascertain how effectively COP process has helped in compensating and enabling the countries least responsible for the environmental damage. He considered it important that the technologically advanced and economically powerful nations share greater responsibility, but also highlighted the need for greater efforts by developing states. He applauded the establishment of ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ and hoped for its early operationalization.
Ambassador Zakaria called for leveraging the collective strength of world leaders, national policy makers, and scientists, under this new era of climate diplomacy to ensure a shared promising future. He stated that Intergovernmental Organizations like COMSATS can play an important role in this regard. Ambassador Zakaria informed that COMSATS, having dedicated Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS) with Membership of 20 countries and 24 Institutes, organizes Programs for awareness, capacity building, policy initiatives, and research & development.
