AT a climate finance roundtable hosted by Pakistan during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, PM Shehbaz Sharif issued a stark call for $6.8 trillion in climate funding by 2030 to address the mounting challenges faced by developing nations. Sharif emphasized that these countries, despite bearing the brunt of climate change impacts, often lack the necessary financial resources to adapt, mitigate and recover from the devastating effects of global warming.
The PM’s call is not just a plea; it is an absolute necessity for the survival and prosperity of millions of people in vulnerable countries like Pakistan. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a harsh reality, with extreme weather events, natural disasters and rising temperatures wreaking havoc on communities, economies and ecosystems. Developing nations, who contribute the least to carbon emissions, face the greatest consequences and the international community must take immediate and decisive action to rectify this inequity. Pakistan, a prime example of a developing nation suffering disproportionately from climate change, has been devastated by a series of extreme weather events. The 2022 floods, which submerged a third of the country, displaced millions of people, destroyed infrastructure and caused billions of dollars in economic damage, serve as a chilling reminder of the reality Pakistan faces. But the floods are just one symptom of a much larger problem. Every year, heat waves are also badly hitting the country. These recurring climate impacts are undermining our food security, economy and human health, pushing the nation to the brink of disaster. The climate finance that the PM is calling for is not a charitable handout; it is an essential investment in global stability and prosperity. Wealthy nations have a responsibility to help developing countries adapt to climate change because the consequences of neglect will be felt by all. It is only through collective action that we can ensure a liveable planet for future generations.
