The state's condition is fragile with a trembling economy, energy crisis and persistent lack of preparedness to confront climate change. These prevailing situations are alarming and could severely harm the lives of both present and future generations.
Pakistan has witnessed significant effects of climate change, such as unbearable heatwaves, toxic smog, deadly droughts, and devastating floods. Besides, over 1260 climate acts are active worldwide, a few countries, such as Denmark, Sweden and Chile are seriously working to address the climate issues to achieve a net-zero target. Since 1751, the burning of fossil fuels has released around 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (Carbon Data Analysis). Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), mainly carbon dioxide, are the primary drivers of climate change. Human-made activities, such as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, livestock farming, and industrialisation are major sources of this GHGE. Natural processes like volcanic eruptions, forest fires, respiration, decomposition, and ocean release also contribute to GHGE. Though these gases constitute only 0.04% of Earth's atmosphere, they still act like a blanket, trapping heat and keeping our planet unbearably warm (State of the Planet).
A well-established opinion in the climate debate is that the largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions must be held responsible for the present climate situation, which disrupted the balance of the Earth's atmosphere and put both living and non-living organisms in danger on a planetary scale
Globally, Pakistan is the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate change (Global Climate Risk Index). Ironically, warming rates are predicted to be significantly higher in Pakistan than the global average, with a jaw-dropping prediction of 1.3 °C to 4.9 °C by the 2090s. The hottest and coldest days are expected to increase more than the average, adversely affecting our lives. According to one estimation, approximately 190 million people in Pakistan will be exposed to severe heatwaves for at least a month every summer by 2030 (The Washington Post). During a series of heatwave occurrences around the country in 2024, the summer's highest temperature was recorded at more than 52 °C in Moen-jo-Daro, an archaeological site in Sindh (Pakistan Meteorological Department). The heatwave, with high humidity and temperature over 49 °C, killed over 500 people last June in Karachi and other districts of Southern Sindh province. During the 2022 floods, over 33 million people were affected and one-third of the country’s infrastructure was damaged. This year, Lahore topped amongst the most polluted cities in the world with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1,591, which might have resulted in severe health problems. Such a high AQI value means air is toxic and could severely affect pregnant women, young children, and aged people, according to Dawn News.
A 21-year-old Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, in her speech at the UN Climate Change COP25 - Climate Emergency Event, stated, "Richer countries need to do their fair share and achieve net-zero emissions much faster. They must also help poorer countries do the same so that people in less fortunate parts of the world can raise their living standards". A well-established opinion in the climate debate is that the largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions must be held responsible for the present climate situation, which disrupted the balance of the Earth's atmosphere and put both living and non-living organisms in danger on a planetary scale. Pakistan experienced one of the most intense flooding events in 2022, resulting in a staggering USD 14.9 billion in infrastructure damages and USD 15.2 billion in economic losses (Research Society of International Law). These catastrophic climate effects underscore the urgent need for Pakistan to strongly advocate for a dedicated loss and damage fund at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) or COP30 in Brazil next year. The previous meeting, COP29, was held in the capital of our neighbouring country, Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024.
In short, the use of renewable energy, bans on coal-powered plants and tree plantations are the most promising ways to minimise carbon dioxide emissions at the national level. However, these can be achieved through government subsidies, incentives, and public acceptance of the technology. Additionally, a multi-faceted approach is crucial to effectively demand the necessary support for environmental and human life restoration within the country using the loss and damage fund from the United Nations. Our future delegation can present compelling and quantifiable data, including peer-reviewed scientific studies on climate change, comprehensive impact assessments of the damage, and evidence of ecosystem and human life disruption due to persistent effects of climate change.