Arsalan Ali

Climate change, accompanied by its formidable challenges, has become an urgent issue that requires immediate attention and collaboration between federal and provincial entities. With the implementation of 18th constitutional amendment, Pakistan has made strides in fostering harmony among its provincial governments. However, a new frontier has now emerged in the shape of climate change, calling for unified action.

Sohail Malik, a climate expert at Climate Resourcing Coordination Centre, told WealthPK that joint efforts were needed at the provincial and federal levels to combat the far-reaching impacts of climate change. “Specifically, water distribution issues have been exacerbated, calling for a united front against this formidable adversary,” he said.

Sohail said the constitutional amendment transferred responsibilities for water, food, agriculture, and the environment to the provinces, while climate change remained a federal matter. He emphasised that while it may not be possible to eliminate climate change, its effects can be mitigated over time. He stressed the need for Pakistan to address this disconnect in order to effectively assume its leadership role in the international arena and advance the climate change agenda.

The expert said climate change is leading to significant migration from rural to urban areas, and the government is not fully prepared to manage this situation, which has profound implications for national economy. He emphasised that urban centres are ill-equipped to handle such a large influx of migrants. He added that this migration and the limited capacity of urban areas to absorb these migrants can potentially result in social unrest.

Sohail said that Pakistan has experienced a growing number of climate crises over the past four decades, including droughts from 1993 to 2002, floods in 2010 and 2022, intermittent extreme heat waves, glacier outbursts, and sea intrusion. These events have had severe implications for Pakistan's economic and social fabric. He said over the past decade, Pakistan has experienced alternating extreme heat waves and massive flooding. These events have led to the loss of lives, livelihoods, land, and critical infrastructure, incurring significant economic costs.

Sohail highlighted the devastating impact of the 2010 super floods, which resulted in the displacement of 20 million people and caused economic losses of $10 billion. Similarly, the 2022 floods led to the displacement of 21 million individuals and incurred economic losses amounting to $15.2 billion. He emphasised that climate change poses a severe threat to global prosperity and security, affecting approximately 70% of nations, including Pakistan, where it is considered a significant national security challenge. He noted that despite the increasing threats, the existing coping mechanisms have proven to be extremely weak.

“This weakness stems from critical gaps within Pakistan's current climate policy framework, primarily its inability to effectively integrate climate change considerations with socio-economic development, sustainable practices, and national security agendas,” he said. He expressed concern over the limited knowledge, exposure, and experience of policymakers regarding climate change, which has resulted in the failure to adequately address the associated threats and consequences within the policymaking process and its implementation.

Sohail pointed out the absence of a significant focus on the security dimension of climate change in Pakistan's policy and discourse, despite the evident threat it poses. He emphasised the lack of specific policies or actions in place to address climate change challenges. He further stated that it is imperative for Pakistan to consider the recurring and escalating climate disasters as national security emergencies in order to prevent compounding the existing multiple crises that the country is already facing.

Muhammad Ali Kemal, Chief of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, said developed nations must assume responsibility and support developing countries in their endeavours to address and adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change. He emphasised that this assistance can manifest in diverse ways, including offering financial aid for climate-related initiatives, sharing technical expertise, and facilitating the transfer of technology.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk