Infrastructure Development Studies » Environment

Although environmental changes are under way since centuries, their speed and intensity has increased tremendously in the recent times. As a result, abnormal weather conditions and thus the natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts are a common occurrence today, causing wide spread destruction, deaths and displacement across the world. There are many scientific evidences, which show that these rapid changes are mainly caused by the anthropogenic (human) activities related to industrial production, agriculture and transportation. Changes in important environmental variables like temperature, rainfall, precipitation etc. have severe negative implications for human beings as they affect negatively the availability of necessities like food and water and deteriorate the health conditions. Despite the fact that generally whole world is and will be affected by the environmental degradation, its negative impacts are and will be more pronounced in developing countries. The OIC member countries as a group are highly vulnerable to environmental changes induced by the increasing anthropogenic activities. The situation is particularly alarming in low income and least developed member countries. Despite all progress in adaptation and mitigation process, a significant number of member countries remained exposed to major environmental challenges.

The issue of environment and sustainability is at the heart of OIC-2025, which guides member countries to ‘protect and preserve the environment promote sustainable production and consumption patterns and enhance capacities for disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation’. Over the years, Ministers of Environments from OIC member countries have convened for seven times to discuss the major issues and work out joint solutions. SESRIC is regularly preparing a detailed report on environmental issues in OIC countries to support the technical discussions and policy debates during the Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers.