Media role in fostering transparency and sensitizing on climate change Perspective from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan TAHIR FAROOQ Vice President, Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) Chairman, Climate Change Committee , CPNE Editor, Daily Ittehad & Monthly Peace Int Council of Pakistani Newspapers Editors

Climate Change impacts on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Geographical and ecological diversity enhances the vulnerability: Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change due to its diverse geography ranging from mountains to the coastal plains. KP becomes more vulnerable as it comprises mountain ranges (Himalayas, Hindukush in North & central plains and valleys in South. Natural calamities result in human and financial loss 2010 floods caused financial loss of $1,272 million and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. 2011-2015 - saw a repetition in the pattern (UNDP. KP –CCF report 2018) Similarly back in 2005, KP was hit by a devastating earthquake which resulted in colossal damage of human lives around 70,000 and infrastructural loss of billion of rupees. Natural calamities effect all sectors of life Agriculture and livestock : KP has an agrarian economy. 75% of the population dependent on agriculture and livestock as a source of income. Health and Infrastructure : extreme weather patterns impact on human health and infrastructure. Respiratory diseases like Asthma, pollen allergies

Challenges Lack of awareness at all levels Appreciation of the significance of the impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods is low. This is evident in all walks of life from farming practices to industrial sector and even in our day to day life. Climate Change policy from national to provincial levels Although the national climate change policy was developed however most of the climate change functions were devolved to the provinces. While realizing the huge impact caused by climate change, KP formulated its Climate Change Policy in 2016 to put the policy. Thus enhancing the number of stakeholders and increasing the challenge of sensitization and awareness.

Bridging the Gap Financial Reporting for transparency Activating Media To address such issues, role of media becomes more critical to correct government actions besides creating awareness in public. Financial Reporting for transparency Media plays an important role in holding government to account and in ensuring transparency. Publication of budget debates and reporting of budget utilization is important to create awareness and foster accountability Platform to voice citizens’ need and demands Media can represent the interest of citizens and also serve as a civic platform for debates on climate-sensitive development that is needed for bringing neglected issue to the attention of policy makers. Promote public policy debates and provide information on needs and demands to assist prioritization of climate responses; 

Media’s role to sensitize the issue How does media report the climate change stories? Within the institution of editor of a newspaper and media organization, the role of assignment editor is very important. This is the person who assigns the reporters their beats. The assignment editor should be sensitized to cover climate change/environmental stories This requires an effective platform to sensitize journalists and media personnel Support to CPNE is important. Media’s commercial interests do not match with public interest issues like polio eradication or awareness of climate risks etc. Therefore to keep such debates alive support by different stakeholders is vital

CPNE and UNDP Partnership The Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) took the challenge to getting these messages across and in 2017, UNDP and CPNE brainstormed the idea and agreed to work collectively: Educational seminars were held Interactive sessions of working group to sensitize media and civil society Handbook was developed for journalists to sensitize them on climate reporting. Currently being translated in regional languages Essay competition was held for young journalists

Looking ahead The partnership between UNDP and CPNE aided in bringing climate related debates in the limelight. To keep up the dialogue on climate change among editors and assignment editors continuous technical support is critical . A country- wide media strategy should be formulated identifying ways and means for continuous awareness and capacity building of journalists. CPNE plans to be the reference point and data bank for the journalists to facilitate the journalists through provision of relevant material and data The working group created on climate change in the CPNE, it was decided in the working group meetings held in Peshawar and Islamabad will be meeting on quarterly basis. CPNE has also decided to invite climate change experts in the working group meetings to create nexus between the experts and the journalists.

Conclusion In the past, public awareness campaigns have shown success to achieve desired results through HIV aid, and Polio eradication campaigns with the support of UNICEF, WHO and other international partners under which sponsored articles , advertisements, public service messages were published and aired. Climate change has become an issue of great concern all over the world. If we want to make it a priority for Pakistan, CPNE is a right forum to be used for sensitization across all levels. Such forums should be further strengthened with the support of our international partners.

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