No distant threat for Pakistan now, climate change has already arrived at our door, impacting life, livelihood, and the economy. The 2022 devastating floods displaced more than 33 million people, nearly one-third of the nation under water. It was not an incident in isolation but a concerning trend where extreme events are on the rise and becoming more intense. Pakistan emits less than 1% of global emissions and is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries. The other issue is with the extremely weak environment and weak governance. Environmental degradation, deforestation, and uncontrolled urbanization have practically put Pakistan in a position of readiness for nothing regarding climate shocks. Urban areas grow in a climate-unaware way while rural areas suffer from desertification and water shortages. Though successive governments have made a desperate call for action, nothing has been done as yet on the ground. All climate policy initiatives begin with grand announcements but fail to take off with implementation and inter-federal and provincial institution coordination. Internationally, Pakistan has attempted to be a voice for climate justice.
Demands for climate reparations and the creation of a loss and damage fund at COP27 were led in part by Islamabad. Such efforts are a recognition of a crucial fact: states such as Pakistan are being penalized for a problem that they did not cause. But getting the money is just half the fight. Without good institutions and proper implementation, even the foreign aid could be diverted. Inefficiency, politicization of climate projects, and corruption have weakened implementation in the past, and if the governance system does not change, history will repeat itself. The time constraint demands a two-pronged approach.
First, adaptation measures need to be strengthened. This involves enhancing early warning systems, flood protection, and climate-smart agriculture. On the contrary, drought-tolerant crops and water-conserving technologies must be placed in the hands of farmers, perhaps the most disadvantaged group. This cannot, however, take away from a long-term strategy for mitigation. Pakistan has to develop renewable sources of energy, cut heavy reliance on imported fossil fuel, and assign priority to afforestation. Programs such as the Billion Tree Tsunami have shown what is possible, but they must be replicated at scale with improved monitoring. As equally important is creating awareness among the masses. Climatic resilience can be achieved only with a collective effort, not only by government policy. The citizen needs to be made aware of sustainability ranging from water conservation to waste management. Schools, media, and community organizations alike need to play a part in re-engineering people’s behavior towards the environment.
First and foremost, climate resilience needs to be made a priority as a national security concern. Climatic adaptability is converted into Pakistan’s future economic prospects, food security, and social cohesion. Water scarcity can increase already present tensions between the provinces, whereas climate change-driven migration can further increase the burden on vulnerable urban areas. The environmental crises threatening to unfold can further widen political and social divides unless addressed.
The indicators are burning bright, and the price of inaction is taking flight out of the ceiling. Pakistan cannot afford to treat climate change as a secondary concern or an occasional emergency. It needs to be addressed as the constitutive challenge of our time, demanding incorporation in every issue of governance and policymaking. Any further delay is not a choice.