Daily Times

As COP28, a crucial global climate summit, is underway, it’s imperative to examine Pakistan’s unique stance in the climate change dialogue. This South Asian nation, characterized by its diverse terrain ranging from arid deserts to lush forests and towering mountains, now faces a new kind of challenge – one that is environmental in nature but deeply rooted in its socio-political fabric.

Pakistan, despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, is at the forefront of climate change impacts. The country’s vulnerability to environmental disasters is not solely due to global climatic changes; it is profoundly exacerbated by local factors. Rapid urbanization, characterized by subpar housing societies and an obsession with cars and expansive urban highways, along with rampant deforestation and excessive reliance on fossil fuels, have collectively precipitated a series of environmental crises. These developments, while possibly benefiting the bureaucracy and enabling politicians to exploit taxpayer funds, have led the country towards a situation that is nearly irreparable. These local issues, often eclipsed by the broader narrative of global climate politics, are the actual catalysts for Pakistan’s escalating environmental degradation.

At the heart of these challenges lies Pakistan’s persistent dependence on inefficient and hazardous fossil fuels. This reliance intensifies pollution and health issues and binds the nation’s economic prospects to the fluctuating global oil market. Additionally, environmental protection regulators, run by ad-hoc bureaucracy who are adept at nothing except staging price control photo ops against street vendors, have failed to establish procedures to control emissions effectively. The critical need to shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources is glaringly apparent.

Pakistan, despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, is at the forefront of climate change impacts.

This predicament highlights a crucial aspect of Pakistan’s approach to environmental issues: a deeply ingrained dependency mindset. Traditionally, the country has sought external aid to address its problems. While bureaucracy and NGOs continue to receive aid, these funds often merely suffice to support the lifestyles of a few profiteers, offering negligible benefits to the community or the environment. However, in a world increasingly focused on environmental integrity and sustainable development, this dependent approach poses a significant threat to Pakistan’s future. As the global community advances beyond mere carbon footprint concerns to embrace high-integrity environmental standards, nations failing to adjust and reform their environmental policies face the risk of international isolation and economic stagnation.

As the international community reevaluates its approach to climate change, a significant shift is occurring, moving beyond the traditional framework of carbon credits. The emphasis is now on a more stringent approach that prioritizes substantial emission reductions before considering the trading of carbon credits. This global trend towards ‘green conditionalities’ poses a new challenge for countries like Pakistan. In a future where the carbon credit market becomes increasingly competitive and stringent, nations will find it more difficult to rely on selling carbon credits as a viable strategy for funding environmental restoration projects.

Another emerging dimension in the global environmental paradigm is the focus on biodiversity restoration and the development of innovative environmental credits. European and UK policymakers are currently developing new codes that place greater emphasis on ecosystem services, such as tokens and credits derived from river catchment areas and the blue economy. These initiatives represent a shift towards recognizing and monetizing the value of diverse ecosystems, beyond just forest carbon stocks. For countries like Pakistan, this presents an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity lies in harnessing its rich biodiversity and aquatic resources for ecological restoration and economic benefit. The challenge, however, is in developing the necessary frameworks and capabilities to participate effectively in these emerging markets. Aligning with these global trends is crucial for Pakistan to ensure its environmental strategies are relevant and effective in the new global context.

The implications of this global shift are profound for nations like Pakistan. Despite promises of famous ‘climate aid’ cheered by bunch of few toadies, the reality is that funds often fail to materialize. Furthermore, controversies surrounding ‘junk’ carbon credits have led to a significant focus shift towards high-integrity environmental codes. The future is likely to see a discouragement of secondary market trading of these credits. Even if Pakistan embarks on extensive reforestation for carbon sequestration, the absence of a robust mechanism to validate and trade these credits renders them virtually valueless in the global market. This scenario mirrors the plight of Pakistan’s textile industry, which suffered when the world moved towards more water-efficient textile production methods, rendering Pakistan’s traditional, water-intensive methods obsolete.

A pivotal aspect gaining prominence in the global environmental discourse is the concept of environmental justice. This approach emphasizes that local communities, often the first and most affected by environmental degradation and climate change, should receive fair compensation and consideration in any environmental policy or project. This principle is particularly relevant in the context of carbon credit schemes, where there is growing insistence that such initiatives should not lead to the forceful displacement of local populations or the unjust appropriation of their land for reforestation or other environmental projects.

For Pakistan, a country where human rights issues and displacement concerns are significant and where the human rights index ranks low, this global shift towards environmental justice presents a profound challenge. Future climate aid and environmental investments are likely to come with stringent green conditionalities that demand not just local initiatives but also adherence to the principles of environmental justice. This means that without ensuring that environmental policies and projects are equitable and just, particularly for affected local communities, Pakistan risks being sidelined in the global pursuit of environmental restoration and climate resilience.

As Pakistan stands at this environmental crossroads, the message of COP28 is clear: the time for meaningful action is now. The country must break free from the shackles of dependency and chart a new course towards environmental sustainability. This journey, though fraught with challenges, holds the promise of a brighter, more sustainable future for Pakistan and its people. Pakistan has a golden opportunity to redefine its role in the fight against climate change. By embracing policy reform and sustainable practices, the country can not only mitigate its environmental challenges but moves towards a greener, more resilient country.

The writer has doctorate in Finance and is a senior researcher in Green Finance at The James Hutton Institute, UK. He can be reached at umar.strath@gmail.com