Climate risks call for transparent fiscal framework: PPP senator
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh General Secretary Senator Waqar Mehdi has called for reform of intergovernmental fiscal transfers so that governments can better cope with fiscal and governance pressures arising from climate change, environmental degradation, water insecurity and natural disasters. Speaking at the first gathering of Intergovernmental Fiscal Institutions in Manila, Mr…
Senator Waqar Mehdi, head of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh, has championed the need for clearer fiscal rules governing government money transfers to address the fiscal and governance challenges posed by climate change, environmental harm, water scarcity, and natural disasters. Addressing the inaugural meeting of Intergovernmental Fiscal Institutions in Manila, Mehdi emphasized that vulnerable regions required fiscal structures that considered their exposure to climate risks, environmental duties, and fiscal capabilities.
Mehdi highlighted Pakistan's heightened climate vulnerability, despite emitting less than 1% of global greenhouse gases. The country's recurrent floods, heatwaves, and droughts underscored the urgent need for enhanced access to international climate funding. He argued that climate justice mandates increased support for adaptation, resilience, technology, and institutional capacity.
Mehdi also advocated for climate funding that is transparent, reliable, and accompanied by stronger budget tracking, diligent expenditure monitoring, and robust parliamentary scrutiny.
He proposed mechanisms such as ecological fiscal transfers, targeted and matching grants, and performance-based financing to incentivize responsible environmental stewardship.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
