Islamabad: The Ministry of Climate Change has announced its decision to assist the provinces in introducing alterations in town planning and building systems to control and mitigate the adverse impacts of increased construction and climate change, according to a news source published today (July 9).
To this effect, a draft of recommendations has been formulated in line with the National Climate Change Policy. As per the policy, the provinces will be asked to install wastewater treatment plants as a fundamental part of all sewerage schemes. The recommendations also included separate collection, disposal and reusing recyclables, composite and bio-degradable waste, preferably at the source.
The draft proposal highlighted the need for updated town planning design principles for minimal carbon footprints. Also, it stresses the need for designing zero-emission buildings through renewable energy to utilise the potential of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Furthermore, other issues discussed by the proposal included curbing rural-to-urban migration, infrastructural development and provision of supportive facilities in small agriculture-based towns and periphery urban areas. It stated that a proper land-use planning should encourage vertical planning.
The draft stated that hazard mapping and zoning of the area should be made mandatory (prior to the launch of construction work), and if required, the reconstruction in the aftermath of natural disasters should be made climate-resilient.
Additionally, it said that the water heaters based on solar power should be run in residential areas (as per requirement) and large industries should be established in designated areas.
It is proposed for the corporate sector to establish a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund for fuelling the efforts aimed at controlling the carbon footprint.
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