Ayesha Saba

With a focus on safeguarding against the climate crisis, Pakistan emphasized its commitment to sustainable development at the recent COP28, urging global collaboration and support for developing nations in the face of pressing climate challenges. Talking to WealthPK, Arif Goheer, Principal Scientific Officer at the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) of the Ministry of Climate Change said, "Pakistan addressed some of the most pressing issues at the COP28 related to the rapidly accelerating climate crisis and its impacts on the developing countries." Sharing the details, he said, "Pakistan effectively presented its case regarding vulnerability to the climate change uncertainties, and highlighted the government's actions and initiatives to counter the adverse effects of climate change, in order to safeguard the lives of the populace from potential disasters." "Additionally, Pakistan expressed its commitment to pursuing sustainable development pathways while aligning with the global community's aspirations for climate change mitigation," he maintained. He added, "Pakistan aimed to remind the wealthier nations of their crucial responsibility towards providing support to the countries highly susceptible to the climate change impacts.

The emphasis on "equity and justice" in the global climate policies underscores Pakistan's call for a fair and inclusive approach that acknowledges the historical and economic disparities among nations." To build resilience to future natural disasters, Pakistan must focus on longer-term technical assistance and build its internal capacity," he stated. Sohail Malik, a climate expert at the Climate Resourcing Coordination Centre told WealthPK, "Before the floods, the economy was walking a tightrope. The floods disproportionately affected the poorest households in the poorest districts, as well as segments of the country where human development results were already low before the floods. "The government is keenly working on strategic recovery objectives and strengthening state governance and capacity to restore the lives and livelihoods of affected people, particularly in the most vulnerable areas, including the affected areas as well." He further informed WealthPK, "In response to the unprecedented devastation caused by the torrential rains and floods last year, which affected 33 million people and caused economic losses of $30 billion, the government formulated different initiatives."

"The cabinet recently approved the 2023 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) with a primary focus on safeguarding climate-vulnerable communities. This strategic initiative involves collaborative efforts by the government and stakeholders to implement protective measures, encompassing early warning systems and effective responses to emergencies." "The NAP 2023 is structured around six key pillars, each focusing on a critical area of climate adaptation and resilience, water resources management and agriculture and food security," he said. According to WealthPK research, the COP28 is the 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting where governments around different countries discuss how to limit and prepare for future climate change. The summit took place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

Credit: INP-WealthPk