South Asian countries can benefit each through collaboration on ac­quiring green renewable energy as it is more feasible at regional level than at a country level given the cost barriers, said delegates from Pakistan and India on 2nd day of three day’s dialogue on climate change here on Tuesday. They also asked South Asian countries to have shared positions at the inter­national negotiations beside joint research and regional plan­ning to address the climate change challenge.
The delegates were dis­cussing at ‘Pakistan-India Track II Dialogue on (Climate) Change for peace’ organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Center for Science and Environ­ment (CSE), India with the sup­port of Heinrich Boll Stiftung (H8S).
Speaking at session ‘Water and Climate Change’, Arshad Abbasi, Advisor SDPI stressed on environmental impact as­sessment for all trans-boundary hydropower projects and called for declaring glaciers as pro­tected areas arguing that climate change negotiation between In­dia and Pakistan can only be successful after demilitarization of Siachin glacier. He said, ‘progress in South Asian region has been held hostage by lack cooperation between India and Pakistan. He further added that use of coal as major source of energy generation in India is pol­luting environment that needs to be immediately restricted. Chandra Bushan, ‘Deputy Direc­tor, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India recommended efficient water use and climate resistant practices in ag­riculture sector with joint as­sessment of vulnerabilities and adaptation due to climate change in arid zones of both country particularly in Rajhistan and Sindh.
Dr. Asad Sarwar Qureshi of International Water Manage­ment Institute (IWMI) suggested that we have to rationalize cropping pattern with an in­creased focus on productivity rather than increasing irrigated area. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Director, Division for Sustainable Devel­opment, United Nations, New York stressed upon need of building regional knowledge shar­ing and clearing network on cli­mate change with common indi­cators and projects. Dr Innayatullah, Regional Programme Coordinator, ICIMOD stressed upon the In­stitutional cooperation, shared water management, joint work on glaciers, sharing of data and hydrological modeling between both the countries.
Speakers at session ‘energy and climate change’ asked for eq­uitable access to affordable en­ergy within South Asian region. Dr Tariq Banuri said, climate change mitigation plan should focus on producing energy with grater efficiency and at affordable prices rather than concentrating on reduction in GHG emissions quantitatively. Mr. Sanjani said, renewable energy potential in both countries can­ not be fully exploited owing to high cost that can only be lowered through joint development 1 of low cost low carbon technologies, competitive process and coordination between the two countries. Shakeel Ramay, Senior Research Associate, SDPI, said progress of renewable energy’ sector in Pakistan is really discouraging and emphasized on prioritizing areas within renew­able energy sector for investment on the basis of cost benefit analy­sis and their contribution to the  economic growth. He said, cur­rently development of hydro power must be the foremost priority to reduce prevailing electricity shortfall that incurred 2% less to GDP and unemployment on massive scale in Pakistan.
During session on ‘climate change adaptation’, Shafqat Kakakhel, Former Deputy Executive Director, UNEP said Pakistan and India needs to actively participate in global efforts  on climate change adaptation but their foremost priority must be to protect sectors of economy which are adversely affected by climate, change. Mr. Harjeet Sing said, area, of cooperation between Pakistan and India on climate change adaptation includes Implementa­tion of SAARC decisions such as disaster management, food bank and shared positions at the international level beside joint research and regional planning. Ali Tauqir Sheikh said, Climate  change com­patible development is gaining prominence as an issue but mandate in South Asia still lies with weak institutions that are unable to act  on planning and implementation challenges.
Session on ‘Gender and climate change’ was chaired by Dr. Saba Gul Khattak, Member Social Sector, Planning Commission of Pakistan. Mome Saleem Research Associate, SDPI said Climate Change will have serious implications for women due to their greater responsibilities and less access to resources be­side their limited mobility, sexual division of labor, lack of educa­tion and access to information. She regretted over absence of gander dimension in climate financing and asserted to ensure Women’s role in decision mak­ing process at national as well as global level, gender main streaming in National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and capacity building through media and community based interventions.