ISLAMABAD: Acting President and Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said climate change poses one of the country’s greatest obstacles to sustainable development.

He was speaking at the 27th sustainable development conference organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change under the theme ‘From fragility to resilience: enhancing sustainable development’.

Mr Gilani outlined Pakistan’s strides toward climate resilience, including policies targeting poverty alleviation, women empowerment, water resources, and energy efficiency. He acknowledged the burden of recent economic measures aimed at stabilising the country, describing the current period as a “polycrisis” requiring unity and resilience.

Legal framework for climate finance

Justice Jawad Hassan of Lahore High Court spoke on the need for a robust legal framework for climate finance in Pakistan.

He noted the importance of establishing clear laws to manage funds from international donors, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s eligibility for climate grants and its engagement with the Loss and Damage Fund.

Justice Hassan emphasised ensuring equitable access to climate finance for vulnerable communities.

Other panelists in the plenary, including experts such as Dr Christian Tietje from Germany and Professor Petra Minnerop from the UK, discussed financing mechanisms for climate resilience.

Dr Tietje highlighted the role of public finance in supporting adaptation and mitigation while Professor Minnerop explained the Paris Agreement’s market-based mechanisms which allow countries to pursue cost-effective mitigation strategies.

Climate crisis impact on Pakistan

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on ecosystems with extreme weather events and slow-onset disasters impacting millions.

She pointed to cross-border smog issues contributing to health risks, especially in Lahore, and emphasised the government’s commitment to waste management and plastic pollution reduction.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri described Pakistan as at a crossroads, grappling with global and national crises, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, which disrupted energy supplies worldwide.

SDPI Chairperson Shafqat Kakakhel noted that political conflicts and climate crises are worsening global poverty, affecting over a billion people.

Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman emphasised the health threats posed by pollution in Pakistan, calling it a “serial killer”.

Speaking at the ‘Pioneering solutions for climate resilience’ session, she advocated for practical steps to control smog such as engine tuning.

Ms Rehman criticised mainstream media for focusing on climate change only during disasters, calling for more consistent climate coverage.

She proposed adding a ‘journalist category’ in SDPI’s sustainability awards to honour media contributions to climate awareness.

She warned of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, ranking it as the fifth most affected country, and emphasised the importance of water conservation.

She also raised concerns about unfiltered sewage being dumped into Rawal Dam, a critical water source for Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024