Community Dialogue in Flood-Affected District – Improving Climate Governance Accountability through Community Participation in Climate Planning and Decision-Making
Venue: District Gujranwala, Punjab
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2024

Transparency International Pakistan, in collaboration with the Jinnah Welfare Organization Gujranwala organized a Community Dialogue in the flood-affected district of Gujranwala, Punjab. The event focused on “Improving Climate Governance Accountability through Community Participation in Climate Planning and Decision-Making.” The primary goal was to raise awareness among grassroots communities disproportionately affected by climate change about its impacts, the Punjab Climate Change Policy 2024, and to enhance their skills in social accountability.

The dialogue involved a diverse group of 42 participants, including 16 women, representing communities from the flood-prone areas of Tahsil Wazirabad and Kamoke attended the dialogue. The dialogue commenced with welcoming remarks from Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Mughal, President of the Jinnah Welfare Organization. He provided an overview of the recent floods that severely affected Gujranwala and its surrounding areas, including the Tahsils of Wazirabad and Kamoke, during the 2024 monsoon rains. The torrential rains caused significant urban flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread disruption of roads and damage to infrastructure, especially in regions with vulnerable structures like kacha houses.

Ms. Nasreen Memon, the Project Coordinator of Transparency International Pakistan, shared information about the Climate Governance Integrity Program. She highlighted that the program aims to empower local communities, helping them advocate for transparency and accountability in climate governance. It focuses on how climate-related projects are managed, assisting communities in understanding and fighting corruption in climate action, and ensuring that climate-related funds are allocated and used properly. Communities will learn how these resources are managed.

Further, she shared that through this project, TI Pakistan is raising awareness among people about their rights and the importance of participation in climate decisions. This empowers communities to demand better practices from public bodies. TI Pakistan also encourages local communities to take part in conversations about climate issues and resource allocation and help build trust between communities and authorities.

Ms. Noor Fatima, Program Coordinator at Jinnah Welfare Organization, explained that climate change is driven by long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels. Gujranwala faces significant challenges, including increased heatwaves, water shortages, and extreme weather events like floods and droughts, all of which threaten agriculture and food security. She emphasized that women are especially vulnerable to climate change due to various social and economic factors. Many women lack access to resources such as land and education, complicating their recovery from disasters. They play a vital role in agriculture and water collection but often struggle with limited access to information and technology. Traditional gender roles further restrict their mobility and decision-making during emergencies.

To address these issues, Ms. Fatima urged the government and civil society to ensure women have equal access to resources and to support community networks and awareness campaigns that enhance women’s leadership and resilience in the face of climate change.

Ms. Fariha Fatima, Assistant Project Coordinator at Transparency International Pakistan, discussed the recent revision of the Punjab Climate Change Policy (PCCP) 2024, which has been updated from its 2017 version to more effectively address urgent environmental challenges of the province. The revised policy outlines comprehensive measures for climate mitigation, wildlife protection, forest conservation, and pollution reduction, reflecting an urgent response to worsening climate phenomena such as severe flooding, smog, and heatwaves that have increasingly affected the region.

The policy deals with strategies across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, water, and forestry and aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change while protecting the interests of vulnerable groups. It also takes into account adaptation and mitigation measures for improved water management, and the promotion of climate-resilient crops.

The updated policy reflects the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Punjab, necessitating a more proactive and comprehensive approach to climate management. It sets specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable practices, shifting to renewable energy sources, and building resilient communities against climate impacts.

Ms. Fatima stressed the critical importance of grassroots involvement of communities in understanding such policies. By empowering communities, they can push for necessary changes in climate action. Engaging local populations in climate debate helps in managing climate-related challenges effectively. This inclusion is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of climate projects and is a harbinger for supporting long-term initiatives aligning with their respective needs.

Mr. Abdul Khaliq Qureshi, President of the Friends Development Organization, emphasized the need for local-level initiatives to address climate challenges. He urged communities to focus on reducing power consumption through energy-efficient appliances and promoting energy conservation. Sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, and carpooling were also encouraged. He recommended decomposing organic waste, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting climate-resilient crops that use less water. He advocated for local early warning systems, green infrastructure projects, and the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in climate decision-making. Lastly, he proposed the creation of local climate funds to support projects like renewable energy and reforestation.

Mr. Muhammad Bilal Butt, Coordinator of the Gujranwala District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), shared information about the department’s role in raising awareness and empowering the community to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. He explained that the DDMA is educating the community on disaster preparedness, providing them with the knowledge and skills to reduce risks and respond quickly during emergencies.

Further he encouraged the community to engage in disaster preparedness activities to build a strong and resilient society. He also emphasized the importance of sharing information about safe practices and disaster-resilient infrastructure, which helps communities adopt measures that lower their vulnerability to disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Mr. Butt highlighted that the DDMA promotes disaster risk reduction and encourages a proactive approach to managing potential hazards.

Ms. Mahim Wahid, Assistant Commissioner of Gujranwala, highlighted the measures being implemented by the government to combat climate change. She noted that the district government is enforcing fines for waste burning as part of its efforts to address pollution and smog. She mentioned that a training program has been conducted for 1122 rescue workers to enhance disaster management capabilities. She also encouraged participants that they can lodge complaints around practices harming the environment with the district administration.

Ms. Iqra Sagheer, Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and proactive measures to build resilience against climate vulnerabilities in the province. She highlighted the growing impact of climate change on local communities, particularly on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and elders. According to Ms. Sagheer, addressing these vulnerabilities requires coordinated efforts between government agencies, civil society organizations, and community members.

She stressed that proactive measures, such as integrating climate adaptation strategies into social welfare programs, are essential to reduce the risks associated with extreme weather events. This includes implementing community-based projects focused on disaster preparedness, improving access to clean water and sanitation, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing the capacity of local organizations to climate challenges.

Ms. Sagheer also emphasized on providing social safety nets, such as emergency relief funds and shelter programs, to help communities recover after disasters. She called for the development of policies that prioritize the needs of the vulnerable while advocating for increased funding for climate resilience programs at the local level. In conclusion, Ms. Sagheer urged stakeholders to collaborate on long-term strategies that not only address immediate climate risks but also build sustainable, climate-resilient communities in the future. She encouraged active participation from all sectors to ensure that climate adaptation efforts are inclusive and effectively mitigate the risks posed by climate change.

Towards the end, Ms. Nasreen Memon provided participants with an overview of TI Pakistan’s Legal Advice Centre. She explained ALAC to the communities, focusing on its role in addressing environmental issues such as resource mismanagement. ALAC offers free legal advice to help communities resolve their problems and works with government agencies to discuss climate governance. Furthermore, she also trained participants on how to write Right to Information (RTI) applications under the Punjab Right to Information Act, 2013, which helps them access information about budgets, local climate change efforts, and community involvement.

At the end, participants expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on climate governance and community involvement. Many participants highlighted that the session significantly enhanced their understanding of climate change impacts and the Punjab Climate Change Policy 2024, empowering them to take an active role in decision-making.

The participants were also enthusiastic about learning to write Right to Information (RTI) applications and understanding their rights, viewing this training as essential for demanding accountability from local authorities. They emphasized the importance of community-led initiatives and felt motivated to collaborate with local organizations and government representatives to create sustainable solutions.