In Pakistan, the poorest sections of the population living in the margins, are most affected by extreme weather conditions, and keep in mind they did not contribute to the accumulation of carbon in space.
Therefore, as we move to the path of economic development, we must recognise the need for climate justice. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a long residence time in the atmosphere and so, what is emitted in the past has accumulated and pushed global temperatures to rise.
The CO2 is also connected to how the world's economy is run and carbon-based energy sources (coal and gas) are still the primary determinants of economic growth. The most important thing is that thousands of individuals are still looking to get the advantages of economic growth. This implies they do not have access to energy that is affordable. This is in a period when the world is running out of space for carbon accumulation.
What options do the developing countries have now? Their economic growth propelled by fossil fuel will add to the perils of climate catastrophe. Can this growth be reinvented in order to make it sustainable low carbon-based and yet affordable?
The widely lauded 2015 Paris Agreement also got rid of the notion of historic emissions and left climate justice as an afterword.
The world shouldn't play around by making empty claims of zero-emissions targets for 2050. It should be discussing how nations are going to front-load emission reductions by 2030.
The fact is that "old" industrialised countries and newcomers jointly have occupied 70% of the carbon-based space till 2019, and despite the reduction targets set in the coming year, they will be occupying 70% by 2030. That is the treason, future actions should acknowledge the realities of environmental justice and apply it to boost economic growth.
If we can do this then the chance for real change is open when we invest now in the most disadvantaged economies, they will grow and not pollute the environment.
For instance, the need for energy is the greatest concern of the poorest around the globe. Millions of women continue to make use of biomass for cooking which adds to their health problems since the stoves emit a lot of pollution.
The best option is to make use of renewable energy sources that are clean to satisfy the requirements of these households that are not part of the energy system based on fossil fuels.
However, the cost that renewable energies bring is way beyond the reach of most people. The world, therefore, needs to finance this energy transition.
We must make decisions with the understanding that we are living in a world that is interdependent in which cooperation is crucial and ensuring it requires fairness, justice, and equity. Climate change issue is our greatest issue as a species and it's time that we stepped up against it.