National Conference on Climate Change

Climate Change as Global Issue

Climate change is undoubtably being increasingly recognised as global concern and priority. International communities are engaging national institutions and focal points to establish that has started to shape national agenda, legislation and priorities among developing countries. Their priorities have been translated into multiple international treaties which explores effective mechanisms for mitigating global challenge of climate change. One such international treaty is Paris Agreement which is a legal binding singed by 194 countries for limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius[1].  However, number of studies have shown that complex societal challenge of rapidly changing climate has more impact and roots at sub-national and local level. Therefore, it has been widely recognised that tackling such global challenge requires transition of these priorities and international commitments at provincial and subsequent local level to be able to aptly address the challenge. This may require better coordination, devolution, and technical support to reach sustainable solutions. 

About Conference

Building upon the initiative of fostering multi-dimensional linkages, the Standing Committee on Climate Change in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is organizing a two-day international conference on “Role  of  Parliaments in  Climate Change”. The conference aims at inviting international, national, and sub national committees on climate change/environment, relevant institutions, civil society, and climate experts for development of linkages, sharing challenges, practices, possible solutions for and creating ownership of climate change commitments at local level. To benefit from best practices for responding to climate change, participants from international community will be invited to share their knowledge.

CONFERENCE IS RUNNING AROUND FOUR MAIN ROLES OF PARLIAMENT

Legislation

Parliaments perform a critical role in democratic society as the institution that represents and aggregates citizen interests in the drafting and scrutiny of legislation and oversight of the executive branch.

Oversight

Parliaments provide effective oversight to ensure that the legislation it passes is sufficiently funded and implemented and that the citizens it represents are consulted and included in these decision-making processes.

Representation

As the representative body of the people, legislatures play a critical role in enacting policies that advance sustainable outcomes

Accountability

Parliament can ensure that climate change planning and budgeting are in line with the provincial priorities and aligned with public needs and service delivery.