Asset 1

Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI) 2020 launched                    111,75 Think Tanks across the world ranked in different categories.                SDPI is ranked 90th among “Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-US)”.           SDPI stands 11th among Top Think Tanks in South & South East Asia & the Pacific (excluding India).            SDPI notches 33rd position in “Best New Idea or Paradigm Developed by A Think Tank” category.                SDPI remains 42nd in “Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedure” category.              SDPI stands 49th in “Think Tank to Watch in 2020”.            SDPI gets 52nd position among “Best Independent Think Tanks”.                           SDPI becomes 63rd in “Best Advocacy Campaign” category.                   SDPI secures 60th position in “Best Institutional Collaboration Involving Two or More Think Tanks” category.                       SDPI obtains 64th position in “Best Use of Media (Print & Electronic)” category.               SDPI gains 66th position in “Top Environment Policy Tink Tanks” category.                SDPI achieves 76th position in “Think Tanks With Best External Relations/Public Engagement Program” category.                    SDPI notches 99th position in “Top Social Policy Think Tanks”.            SDPI wins 140th position among “Top Domestic Economic Policy Think Tanks”.               SDPI is placed among special non-ranked category of Think Tanks – “Best Policy and Institutional Response to COVID-19”.                                            Owing to COVID-19 outbreak, SDPI staff is working from home from 9am to 5pm five days a week. All our staff members are available on phone, email and/or any other digital/electronic modes of communication during our usual official hours. You can also find all our work related to COVID-19 in orange entries in our publications section below.    The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is pleased to announce its Twenty-third Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) from 14 – 17 December 2020 in Islamabad, Pakistan. The overarching theme of this year’s Conference is Sustainable Development in the Times of COVID-19. Read more…       FOOD SECIRITY DASHBOARD: On 4th Nov, SDPI has shared the first prototype of Food Security Dashboard with Dr Moeed Yousaf, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on  National Security and Economic Outreach in the presence of stakeholders, including Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Provincial and district authorities attended the event in person or through zoom. The dashboard will help the government monitor and regulate the supply chain of essential food commodities.

Daily Times

Published Date: Jun 8, 2012

DRASTIC CLIMATIC CHANGES HURTING GB, SEMINAR TOLD

Speakers at a consultation have demanded the conservation of ecosystem of Gilgit-Biltistan’s Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP). They also demanded a steering committee of relevant stakeholders under the preview of Ministry of Climate Change to protect biodiversity in the region.

The “Consultation on Climate Change and Ecosystem Assessment of the CKNP Region”, here on Thursday, was organised to share findings of an assessment study carried out by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Italy’s Ev-K2-CNR to assess the impacts of climate change on ecosystem and socio-economic conditions in the CKNP region.

The study explored the options available to inhabitants to adapt to the climate change, and also to develop pilot projects in the near future. It highlights drastic changes in climatic conditions in the region and reveals that the CKNP region has become warmer with increased rainfalls, changed snow patterns and less intense winter season. Also, the land use patterns have changed with the focus shift from agriculture to services and increased urbanisation. The study also says that fauna and flora of CKNP is under threat with loss of plant species, less fruit production, and threat to endangered species mostly because of human interferences and deforestation.

Ex-UN assistant secretary general and retired ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel said that impacts of climate change are likely to exacerbate in the region. “We must act fast to cope with challenges and conserve both natural and built-up environment, improve quality of life, preserve culture and biodiversity of CKNP whose plant and animal habitat is of global importance.”

UNEP Programme Officer Haruko Okusu said that CKNP region has rich natural biodiversity and cultural heritage. She said, “The CKNP region is highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change and efforts must be made to improve the quality of life of local communities and the conservation of environment, architectural and cultural heritage of the region.”

SDPI Research Fellow Dr Vaqar Ahmed criticised the authorities concerned for ignoring the devastating impacts of climate change on the ecosystem of the northern areas. He said, “There is a need for an integrated study for the CKNP region. It should explore issues and remedies through a social, economic and environmental appraisal.” Environmental appraisal of projects in the region, he said, must be ensured because currently no elaborate environmental appraisal is being carried out regarding projects like Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Bungi Dam, or the public sector development programmes in the region. He informed the gathering that China was planning to invest over $100 billion in neighboring Xinjiang province during the next five years.

Global Change Impact Study Centre’s (GCISC’s) Munir Ahmad underlined the need for considering green economy for environmental protection, social equity and sustainable development. He said, “Indigenous agricultural practices must be combined with scientific innovation for a sustainable growth.”

Share
Tweet