Jul 24
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
SDPI, Seminar Hall, 38 Embassy Road, G-6/3, Islamabad
Chief Guest:
- Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain
Speakers:
- Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector Genral Forests
- Dr.Arshad Muhammad Khan, Executive Director, GCISC
Moderator:
- Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, Head of Climate Change Unit , Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Human capital defined as one of the basic factors of production. It has an impact on individual income, job market, and productivity of firm, society, growth, and national economy. In present times climate change has emerged as a threat to the economic growth and development of countries especially the developing and least developed countries. Empirically it has been proven in the literature that climate change has a detrimental impact on the indicators of Human capital including education and health. Further the phenomenon of migration and marginalization also play a vital role in defining the situation. Women and minorities are impacted the most due to the marginalization and lack of required skills and resources.
Human Capital is also graded as a means to gauge the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of a country. It is pertinent to note that human capital can help build resilience by creation of new knowledge and innovation. From the work of IPCC, UNFCCC, UNEP, International Institutes, Sir Stern, INGOs, etc. it has been established that due to these vulnerabilities and risk, there would be serious implication for the globe. Situation can further be complicated if it is not tackled with right set of instruments and tools.
Whereas Natural capital provides a range of tangible and intangible goods and services through its ecosystems as diverse as forests, rangelands, lands and freshwater. It also contributes directly to livelihoods, employment and economic development. In addition, it plays an important role in fulfilling important functions, such as climate regulation, water filtration, soil regeneration, erosion control, carbon assimilation. Any decline or degradation in natural capital can undermine the development of poorer economies that are closely dependent on the environment. Despite this, while economically important natural resources get recognized in decision-making, the intangible values of natural capital are excluded or undervalued in development planning. Understanding that natural capital is fragile and highly vulnerable to the threats of climate change, it is important to assess how natural capital can contribute towards climate resilient economic development.