Fatima 23k-0886

Civics and Community Engagement

SDG-Assignment

Submitted by
Fatima
BCS-4B
23k-0886
Fatima 23k-0886

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)

Assignment
SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Introduction
What is SDG 13?

SDG 13: Climate Action focuses on taking immediate action to combat climate change and its
effects. The objective recognizes that climate change is among the most significant challenges
the world is currently facing and needs to be addressed in order to promote sustainable
development for generations to come. It highlights global cooperation, policy instruments, and
investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Background and Importance

Climate change is causing:

● Rising sea levels

● Extreme weather events

● Biodiversity loss

● Socio-economic instability

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human-induced global

warming has reached approximately 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels and is accelerating.
Without immediate action, it could exceed 2°C or even 3°C by the end of the century, causing
irreversible damage.

For nations such as Pakistan, climate change is no far-off menace—it is today's reality.
Pakistan is ranked among the top 10 countries most affected by climate-related disasters,
despite contributing less than 1% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. National
development, food security, public health, and access to water are all deeply interlinked with
climate resilience.

2. International Case Study – Denmark

Country Selected: Denmark

Efforts Made and Strategies Implemented

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Denmark is a world leader on climate action. The nation has made one of the most ambitious
targets globally:

● Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels)

● Achieve climate neutrality by 2050

Main Approaches:

● Renewable Energy Transition:

More than 50% of Denmark's electricity comes from wind power. Offshore wind farms
are heavily funded by the government.

● Green Tax Reforms:

Denmark implements carbon pricing and green taxes to reduce emissions.

● Sustainable Urban Planning:

Cities like Copenhagen have adopted cycling infrastructure, district heating
systems, and green roofs to lower urban emissions.

● Legislation:
The Climate Act (2020) legally binds future governments to meet climate targets,
ensuring long-term political commitment.

Outcomes and Challenges

Successes:

● Emissions cut by over 40% between 1990 and 2020

● Copenhagen is set to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025

Challenges:

● Balancing economic growth with environmental transitions

● Expanding energy storage for variable renewable sources

Lessons Learned / Best Practices

● Strong legal frameworks ensure consistent climate policy

● Public engagement boosts legitimacy and success of climate reforms

● Public-private partnerships drive innovation and investment

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3. National Case Study – Pakistan

Country: Pakistan

National Efforts and Initiatives

Despite economic and structural challenges, Pakistan has undertaken several initiatives to
combat climate change.

Policies and Programs:

● National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) 2021:

○ Framework for climate mitigation and adaptation

○ Focus on water, agriculture, disaster preparedness, and biodiversity

● Billion Tree Tsunami & Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programs:

○ Large-scale reforestation for carbon sink development and erosion control

○ Over 2 billion trees planted to date

● Clean Green Pakistan Movement:

○ Encourages public participation in sanitation, tree plantation, and water

conservation

● Alternate Energy Policy 2019:

○ Targets 60% renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030

Achievements:

● Gained global recognition for reforestation

● Increase in protected land areas from 13% to 15%

● Launched National Electric Vehicle Policy to reduce transport emissions

Challenges:

● High vulnerability to climate disasters (e.g., 2022 floods displaced 33 million people and
caused $30 billion in damage)

● Limited financial resources and weak climate infrastructure

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● Inconsistent policy implementation due to political instability

Areas for Improvement:

● Enhance institutional coordination and policy consistency

● Integrate climate risk into all development planning

● Strengthen climate finance through global partnerships

4. Conclusion
Key Takeaways:

● Denmark sets an example with a legally mandated and innovation-focused climate

strategy.

● Pakistan demonstrates strong community-based initiatives but needs more capacity and
institutional strength.

Potential Solutions:

For Developed Nations:

● Invest in climate finance for vulnerable countries

● Share clean technology and expertise

For Developing Countries:

● Prioritize climate adaptation in national budgets

● Ensure transparency and accountability in green programs

● Engage youth and local communities in sustainable initiatives

Recommended Actions:

At the International Level:

● Fully operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund (COP27 commitment)

● Strengthen compliance with the Paris Agreement

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At the National Level (Pakistan):

● Upgrade early warning systems and resilient infrastructure

● Promote environmental education and awareness campaigns

● Partner with NGOs, universities, and the private sector for implementation

5. References
1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2023). AR6 Climate Change 2023
Synthesis Report.

2. Government of Pakistan. (2021). National Climate Change Policy.

3. Ministry of Climate Change Pakistan. (2023). 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Program.

4. United Nations. (2023). Sustainable Development Goals – Goal 13: Climate Action.
https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13

5. Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. (2020). Denmark’s Climate Act.

6. World Resources Institute. (2022). Climate Action Tracker – Pakistan.