Training Workshop on Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Social Accountability to Enhance Citizens and Civil Society Participation in Climate Governance.
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Venue : Muzaffargarh District-Punjab

Transparency International Pakistan organized a Training Workshop on Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Social Accountability to Enhance Citizens and Civil Society Participation in Climate Governance on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Muzaffargarh District-Punjab.

The workshop was attended by local community members from vulnerable flood-hit areas of Muzaffargarh (Alipur, Jatoi, and Bait), youth, civil society representatives, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

The primary goal of the training workshop was to educate communities on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, along with social accountability tools. This aimed to enhance citizens participation in climate decision-making and empower them to oversee climate projects and address irregularities. A total of 52 participants attended the workshop, including 30 men and 22 women.

The event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran after which a round of introduction was held. Mr. Zahid Zahoor, Executive Director of Roshni Welfare Organization, welcomed the participants to the training workshop. He emphasized the pressing vulnerability of Muzaffargarh’s Union Councils, particularly the Jatoi belt and Ali pur, in the face of climate change. Mr. Zahoor highlighted the urgent need for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and enhanced social accountability to empower citizens and civil society in addressing these challenges.

Ms. Nasreen Memon, Project Coordinator Transparency International Pakistan talked about how corruption can slow down our fight against climate change. She said that when money meant for climate projects is misused, it hurts poor people the most. She highlighted that Muzaffargarh is between the two rivers and due to the climate change, the floods in Muzaffargarh have gotten worse. Many people have had to leave their homes because of the flooding. And because most people in Muzaffargarh rely on farming, the extreme weather and non-environmental friendly practices have made things even harder for the farmers.

The workshop covered the basics of climate change, its consequences, and key terminologies such as carbon footprint, greenhouse gases, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. She emphasized that climate change impacts various aspects of life, including weather patterns, food security, and public health. Through understanding these concepts, participants can make informed decisions in their roles whether in policymaking, education, community development, or advocacy.

In addition to learning about the problems caused by climate change, participants also discovered how to address these issues. They explored strategies to reduce the impact of climate change and prepare for upcoming changes, helping to protect both people and the environment. During the workshop, participants recognized the importance of working together to create plans to combat climate change. This collaboration will enable them to engage in crucial conversations about climate policy and advocate for meaningful changes. During the session, a community resilience-building exercise was conducted, where participants were divided into groups to assess the vulnerabilities and strengths of Muzaffargarh across three key areas: infrastructure, environment, and society. The participants were tasked with identifying risks and proposing mitigation strategies.

• Groups 1 & 2, focused on infrastructural vulnerabilities, highlighted issues such as unplanned construction, lack of urban planning, and an inadequate transportation system.
• Groups 3 & 4 addressed environmental vulnerabilities, pointing out the risks of floods, deforestation, unpredictable heat and cold waves, and the inefficient water and sewerage systems, which exacerbate flood risks.
• Groups 5 & 6 examined societal vulnerabilities, emphasizing the lack of awareness regarding climate change and environmental degradation. They also critiqued the common practice of constructing houses and commercial buildings without considering environmental factors.

Most participants agreed that better coordination between departments, stronger policies, and smart urban planning are needed to tackle climate challenges and help communities become more resilient.

Moving on, Ms. Fariha Fatima, Assistant Project Coordinator, TI Pakistan provided an overview of Punjab Climate Policy 2024, aiming to enhance participants’ understanding of its key provisions. She highlighted that the policy covers adaptation and resilience building, mitigation of Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG), promotion of renewable energy sources, climate-smart agriculture, modern waste management mechanisms, and preparedness for natural disasters. The policy has set short and long term targets such as increase in protected areas, 20 to 30 percent reliance on renewable energy sources, plastic-free Punjab by the year 2030, flood and heatwave management plans for high-risk areas and large-scale afforestation in urban areas.

Further, she explained that the policy ensures citizen oversight through capacity building, monitoring, climate information dissemination, and an M&E system. This empowers communities to hold the authorities accountable for climate action. The policy also aims to amend Punjab Environmental Protection (Amendment) Act 2017, and The Punjab Local Government Act 2022 ‎to address the impacts of climate change.

Next, Mr. Muhammad Aamir, Social Welfare Officer, Govt of Punjab emphasized on the importance of the Right to Information (RTI) as a crucial tool that empowers citizens to understand their rights and influence decisions regarding climate action. He noted that the RTI Act allows citizens to request information about climate policies and projects, which encourages the government to be more open and transparent. When citizens are informed about their rights and have access to information, they can make better choices about how to protect the environment. He urged Civil Society Organizations to organize more awareness campaigns and engage a broader audience in discussions about climate change, helping them to influence decision-making processes. Mr. Aamir stated that informed citizens can collaborate with the government to develop more effective climate action plans. They can utilize the RTI Act and other social accountability tools to ensure that the government fulfills its commitments to climate action.

Moreover, he highlighted that citizens can voice their concerns regarding specific environmental issues within their communities. Understanding climate change and the importance of accountability can motivate individuals to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. When people are informed, they are better positioned to advocate for stronger laws and policies aimed at protecting the environment.

Next, Ms. Nasreen Memon, Project Coordinator at TI Pakistan, informed the participants about TI Pakistan’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) and the Monitoring Transparency in Climate Response initiative, which serves as a dedicated resource for victims and witnesses of corruption, including issues related to climate misgovernance and irregularities, and provides essential guidance and support.

As the workshop concluded, Participants expressed gratitude for the training workshop organized by Transparency International Pakistan, highlighting its relevance and impact on their understanding of climate change. Many appreciated the clear explanations of key concepts like mitigation, adaptation, and social accountability tools, which enhanced their ability to engage in climate discussions. Participants highlighted that interactive group exercises were particularly beneficial, as they allowed participants to identify local vulnerabilities and propose actionable strategies. Several participants emphasized the importance of collaboration among community members, government agencies, and civil society to address climate challenges effectively.

The insights on the Punjab Climate Policy 2024 and the Right to Information Act were especially valued, empowering attendees to advocate for stronger climate governance. Overall, participants felt more equipped to take proactive steps in their communities, expressing a commitment to apply their newfound knowledge in local decision-making processes and climate action initiatives.