ON 13 September 2024, I attended a critical dialogue addressing the impact of climate change on the cryosphere, water security, food sustainability and disaster risk reduction in Islamabad. The event gathered experts, policymakers and civil society representatives, all of whom echoed the same urgent call: climate change is not an isolated environmental concern; it touches every aspect of life, from the mountains to the farms, and from water resources to human security. As a policy analyst, I found myself reflecting on how we often overlook the gravity of these connections and fail to act cohesively across sectors. The discussion underscored the growing threat posed by climate change, which is rapidly altering Pakistan’s natural landscape and deeply affecting key sectors such as agriculture and water management. The cryosphere – which includes glaciers and snow-covered regions, plays a critical role in maintaining water supply for nearly two billion people. For Pakistan, the stakes are particularly high. The Indus River, which provides life to the country’s agricultural heartland, relies heavily on the water from the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya (HKH) glaciers. Yet, despite this clear dependence, the cryosphere remains an under-explored and under-funded part of our climate policy. The issue transcends national borders and must be viewed holistically; there is a need for data-sharing, knowledge hubs and coordinated regional approaches. We cannot continue to tackle climate challenges in silos.
Pakistan’s reliance on glacial meltwater from the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan ranges is becoming increasingly tenuous. With changing weather patterns and rising temperatures, these vital glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace. The long-term consequences could be disastrous, particularly for the country’s agriculture, which ranks third in the Global Climate Risk Index. The dialogue highlighted how water scarcity, exacerbated by climate variability, has the potential to cripple not just agriculture, but entire communities. In recent years, I have continuously emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive action to address these environmental challenges. There is a need for a paradigm shift- from reactive to proactive measures. While we have many policies in place, we are tragically slow in implementing them. The frustration is palpable when discussing Pakistan’s reliance on external funding and the lack of real enforcement of court rulings related to climate change. It’s one thing to pass laws; it’s another to act upon them with the urgency they demand. This gap between policy and implementation is widening, and if left unchecked, it will only deepen the vulnerability of our people to future crises.
The predictions are stark- agricultural productivity and water availability are expected to take a sharp decline if the current trends continue unchecked. With 93% of Pakistan’s water consumed by agriculture, the inefficiency in water use is alarming. We continue to cultivate water-intensive crops that contribute little to the overall GDP while neglecting climate-smart agricultural practices that could yield more sustainable outcomes. There is a dire need for increased investment in climate-resilient crops and modern irrigation techniques. Yet, despite all the policy discourse, the question remains: why is there so little action on the ground? We need to think beyond traditional approaches to food security and water management. How can we incentivize farmers to switch to crops that are less water-intensive?
However, the lack of reliable data and the ineffective application of existing information remain significant obstacles. What’s needed is more investment in data collection and the use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and real-time monitoring tools to mitigate climate impacts. These technologies, if used effectively, could help predict extreme weather events and improve disaster preparedness, particularly in high-risk areas. Early warning systems, for instance, could prevent catastrophic losses by providing timely information to vulnerable communities. A pressing question we need to consider is the actual cost of prevention versus the cost of responding to disasters. The comparison of spending one dollar on prevention versus six dollars on response should prompt us to rethink our approach.
The National Adaptation Plan, though ambitious, requires a complete overhaul. Risk communication needs to become a central pillar of climate resilience strategies, ensuring that at-risk populations are aware of the dangers they face and are prepared to act. Climate adaptation cannot be top-down. Community engagement is essential, and any effective policy must include grassroots perspectives to ensure its success. By incorporating local insights, we can bridge the gap between national policy and real-world application. The dialogue reinforced the fact that climate change is not an abstract future threat but an ominous reality that requires immediate and decisive action. Policies, no matter how well crafted, are meaningless if not implemented effectively. We need a shift in how we approach climate governance, one that embraces accountability, cross-sectoral coordination, and most importantly, the active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. It’s time to stop talking and start acting. In my opinion, the conversation must move from being government-led to being truly society-led. The private sector, civil society and local governments all have crucial roles to play. The solutions to these challenges exist, but what’s missing is the political will and the collective action needed to bring them to life. For Pakistan, the future hinges on how quickly we can bridge this gap between policy and action—before the next disaster forces us to pay the ultimate price for our inaction.
—The writer is a policy advocate and researcher. She is a Public Policy Master’s graduate of King’s College London.
