Daily Times

PM Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the urgent need for developed nations to take responsibility for addressing climate change impacts. Speaking at the COP 29 Climate Finance Roundtable hosted by Pakistan in Baku, he underscored that developing countries, such as Pakistan, are heavily affected by climate-induced disasters despite contributing minimally to global emissions. Sharif highlighted that to meet Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and address climate challenges effectively, developing nations will require over $6.8 trillion by 2030. He urged a restructuring of the Global Climate Finance Framework to ensure timely, adequate support for these vulnerable nations. Pakistan’s climate vulnerability was highlighted by recent catastrophic floods, which impacted one-third of the country in 2022, diverting all development and climate funds toward relief and recovery. Pakistan is also experiencing severe smog, with cities like Lahore and Multan registering air quality indices (AQI) consistently above 1000, far exceeding the safe limit of 250. The heavy smog has put millions of lives at risk, and cities across Pakistan are grappling with life-threatening pollution levels. Neighbouring India, facing even worse smog conditions, also shares a responsibility to mitigate regional pollution. Despite India’s capacity to induce artificial rain to alleviate smog, efforts remain insufficient, impacting both countries.

The climate crisis, as Sharif highlighted, is no longer looming-it has arrived, with global warming transitioning into what UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has termed “global boiling.” In July 2023, the world experienced the hottest month in over 120,000 years, with record-breaking heatwaves across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. Extreme weather patterns, from scorching heatwaves to unprecedented floods, are now a global constant, impacting lives and economies alike. The UN has urged for immediate action, noting that developed countries must fulfil their previous commitments made at COP 15, where $1 billion in climate funding was promised, but only $160 million has been delivered.

PM Sharif’s COP 29 address included proposals to support climate resilience through immediate, non-debt-based aid, especially to help countries like Pakistan protect glaciers, manage extreme weather, and improve air quality. As industrialized nations bear the greatest responsibility for climate change, the Prime Minister emphasized that they must honour their commitments to assisting vulnerable countries facing escalating climate challenges. Smog, floods, and rising temperatures are daily reminders of the shared global responsibility. The road to humanity’s survival, as PM Sharif said, lies in collaborative, immediate action, as only coordinated efforts can offer a path toward climate stability and a secure future for all. *