ISLAMABAD: Senator Sherry Rehman on Tuesday delivered a stark critique of the outcomes of COP29, urging Pakistan and other Global South nations to rethink their approach to global climate action.

Speaking at the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC) roundtable on post-COP29 outcomes, Senator Rehman called for urgent recalibration of the climate agenda, warning that the world was far off track from its climate goals.

“It’s certainly not the Paris moment anymore. That was the peak of multilateralism,” she said.

“We are still speaking the same language while emissions rise, and the 1.5-degree target is no longer viable. That bumper sticker has faded.” Labelling COP29 as a “finance COP”, Senator Rehman expressed disappointment with its outcomes.

PPP senator expresses disappointment with COP29 outcomes

She criticised the $300 billion climate finance pledge for 2035 as inadequate. “It’s a band-aid on a bullet wound. Pakistan alone needs $30 billion for loss and damage, far beyond what has been promised,” she stated, adding that the delayed $100 billion annual pledge undermines trust in global commitments.

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A statement issued here said that Senator Rehman also critiqued Pakistan’s domestic climate governance, calling for clarity and decisive leadership.

“Much of institutional Pakistan remains confused about climate change,” she noted, urging the country to chart its own path rather than wait for directives from the Global North.

She emphasised the importance of localised action, warning against reliance on centralised climate authorities. “Momentum will come from the provinces, not from another white elephant.” She called for a shift from slogans to practical solutions, highlighting the “do no harm” approach as an emerging global trend.

Stressing the need for actionable outcomes, she urged multilateral climate platforms like COP to move beyond rhetoric.

“These are the only spaces where targets are set, but we must demand tangible results, not just poster campaigns,” she added. Senator Rehman underscored Pakistan’s role in advocating for loss and damage financing, crediting its success to “speaking truth to power” rather than passive participation.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2024