Islamabad: Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, in a national meeting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasized that despite Pakistan contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions, it ranks as the fifth most impacted country due to climate change. She underlined that global warming’s visible impacts are already threatening Pakistan’s efforts to achieve SDGs, with sectors such as agriculture, water, health, and education bearing the brunt.
Ms. Romina pointed out that the country is witnessing increasing frequency of droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns. These disasters, she stated, have led to disruptions in agriculture, jeopardizing food security and livelihoods across the nation. She further stressed that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, making environmental protection a fundamental human right for all Pakistanis.
She recalled the catastrophic floods of 2022, which caused over $30 billion in damages, and reminded the participants of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. This financial burden continues to strain the country’s already fragile economy, which is grappling with rising inflation, currency depreciation, and depleted foreign reserves. The climate-induced disasters further compound these challenges, undermining Pakistan’s SDG progress.
Ms. Romina underlined that SDG-13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change, is critical for the achievement of the entire SDG agenda. She stressed that integrating climate change concerns into national policies, improving climate education, and enhancing institutional capacity for mitigation, adaptation, and disaster management are vital to meet the targets outlined in this goal.
With the cost of inaction on climate change estimated to be staggering, Ms. Romina referred to the World Bank’s report, which states that Pakistan requires $348 billion from 2023 to 2030 to meet its climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience needs. She highlighted that the country’s financial resources remain limited, making it crucial to explore alternative avenues for mobilizing climate finance.
However, despite these financial constraints, Pakistan has made significant progress in addressing climate change. Ms. Romina mentioned the Green Pakistan Programme, which aims to sequester 149 MtCO2e through reforestation and biodiversity initiatives. The government’s Electric Vehicle policy and renewable energy policies are expected to reduce emissions by 23 MtCO2e and 70 MtCO2e, respectively, by 2030.
Ms. Romina concluded by noting that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination is working on Pakistan’s transparency report and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to align with the Paris Agreement. Additionally, she highlighted the establishment of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority and the efforts to improve international cooperation, all aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s resilience to climate change and securing a sustainable future for its people.
