Arsalan Ali

As climate change effects continue to intensify, it is imperative for developed nations to take responsibility and aid developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to its impacts. This support can take various forms, such as financing climate-related projects, providing technical expertise, and promoting the transfer of technology, said Muhammad Ali Kemal, Chief of Sustainable Development Goal at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, in an exclusive talk with WealthPK.

Kemal said although there was currently no mechanism for countries like Pakistan to seek a legal recourse against major polluters for the damages caused by climate change, developed countries could not shirk their historical responsibilities. Though many of these countries have pledged to contribute to green climate funds to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries, there is still much work to be done to fulfil these commitments.

The World Bank data available with WealthPK shows that the total investment needed for a comprehensive response to Pakistan’s climate and development challenges between 2023 and 2030 amounts to around USD348 billion. This consists of USD152 billion for adaptation and resilience and USD196 billion for deep decarbonization.

Kemal said Pakistan's economy had been hit hard by extreme weather events like floods and droughts, disrupting agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Climate change also has had a detrimental effect on the public health, leading to an upsurge in waterborne diseases, heat strokes, and respiratory illnesses.

The Planning Commission official said that the situation was even worse in the rural areas, where agriculture was the primary source of income. The farmers have suffered crop failures, livestock losses, and reduced income due to extreme weather events. The events increased poverty and food insecurity, with the vulnerable communities being the hardest hit. While Pakistan contributes little to global warming, it is bearing the brunt of its devastating impacts, he added.

Kemal said Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change was a pressing issue that had garnered international attention. For the past two decades, Pakistan has consistently ranked among the 10 most vulnerable countries on the Global Climate Risk Index due to the prevalence of extreme weather events that caused significant damage to the country's infrastructure, agriculture, and economy.

A report recently released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has shed light on the severity of the situation in Pakistan. In 2022, the country was hit by both drought and flooding, resulting in significant damage to lives, assets, and livelihoods. The post-disaster needs assessment estimated damages exceed $14.9 billion, in addition to the total economic losses of USD15.2 billion, requiring USD16.5 billion for recovery and rehabilitation.

Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said, “Excessive production of carbon emissions by the Global North (the US, EU, and Japan) was responsible for 46 percent of global fossil fuel burning from 1992 to 2022.”

He said the Ministry of Climate Change in Pakistan had put in place several institutional arrangements to mobilize climate finance and promote green financing. The main vehicles to access these funds include the National Climate Change Policy, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), National Disaster Risk Management Fund, engagement with the Green Climate Fund, and the private sector.

Moreover, he said, more needed to be done to strengthen these arrangements and mobilize resources to address the country's climate-related challenges. Suleri said, “Developing and implementing climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening disaster preparedness and response, among other measures, will reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events’’.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk