KARACHI: Experts at a conference held on Friday highlighted the need for inclusive, equity-based strategies to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind in efforts to adapt to the fast changing climatic conditions.

They were speaking at the inaugural session of the annual conference on climate change, agriculture, human nutrition and development in Pakistan.

Hosted by the Aga Khan University’s (AKU) Institute for Global Health & Development (IGHD) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Pakistan, the event brought together policymakers, researchers and community members who shared their concerns over the mounting impacts of climate change in Pakistan and globally, while suggesting strategies to address the challenges.

In his opening remarks, Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, distinguished professor and founding director of IGHD, underscored the urgency of such discussions as Pakistan faces rising temperatures, erratic weather, and worsening food insecurity.

Experts at AKU conference call for inclusive, equity-based measures to tackle climate change

“Climate change is not just an environmental crisis—it is a threat multiplier affecting health, nutrition, and livelihoods. Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, and the solutions we identify today will determine whether we mitigate disaster or amplify its impact.”

Keynote speakers Prof Sir Andrew Haines from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Dr Lynette Neufeld, Director Food & Nutrition, Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO); and Dr Haris Gazdar from the Collective for Social Science Research, Pakistan, highlighted in detail the impacts of climate change and future solutions, pointing out that over 35 per cent of heat-related deaths between 1990 and 2018 were caused by human-induced climate change.

The experts shared that the effects of climate change are disproportionate, with greenhouse gas emissions primarily originating in wealthy nations, while their most severe impacts are being felt in low- and middle-income countries.

Food insecurity driven by climate change is expected to intensify women’s workloads, particularly in rural areas, as migration patterns shift, and traditional gender roles persist, they said.

The speakers called for inclusive, equity-focused strategies to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind in adaptation efforts.

Well-designed climate mitigation actions across sectors could prevent millions of premature deaths worldwide each year in the near term and reduce climate risks. This includes nature-based solutions which have shown promise in past projects, they said.

Chief guest Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan said, “The challenges posed by climate change are monumental, but so are the opportunities to innovate and transform. Institutions like AKU are central to this transformation, connecting research to policy and practice to protect future generations.

In his remarks, President of AKU Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin stated that the university, as a leading institution, recognises the responsibility to tackle multifaceted challenges like climate change.

“Through collaborative research and partnerships, we aim to inspire solutions that strengthen resilience and ensure a sustainable future for Pakistan and beyond.”

The two-day conference aims to outline solutions for climate change’s impact on Pakistan’s agriculture, health, and nutrition, focusing on the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based sustainable development.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2024