The rising toll of climate change on Pakistan is a reality. From devastating floods and droughts to soaring temperatures and unseasonable weather patterns, climate change has not only disrupted lives and livelihoods but also jeopardised country’s fragile economy. In this context, financial support extended by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support Pakistan’s climate resilience programmes is really appreciable. However, while these initiatives are steps in right direction, they alone are insufficient to accelerate the building of resilient infrastructure and adaptation mechanisms. Pakistan, already grappling with a mounting debt burden, finds itself in need of meaningful, sustained support that goes beyond loans and this responsibility rests heavily on world’s major polluters.
The announcement by the ADB to lend $500m for environmental and disaster resilience programme, along with GCF’s $50m project aimed at fostering local climate solutions, highlights urgent need for targeted climate action. ADB’s support acknowledges necessity of policy-based loans to fortify country’s infrastructure against environmental risks, while GCF’s focus on empowering start-up ecosystem is a much-needed boost to innovation in climate solutions. Yet, as beneficial as these funds may be, a loan from financial institutions, by its very nature, further weighs down Pakistan with obligations in a time of dire need for grant-based, sustainable assistance.
Despite amongst lowest emitters of carbon, Pakistan bears consequences of climate change largely inflicted by industrialised nations. The nation has contributed a mere fraction of global greenhouse gases, yet its people are on frontline of climate-induced disasters. Industrialised nations, responsible for bulk of greenhouse gas emissions, have a moral obligation to support countries like Pakistan that face disproportionate burden of climate change. Despite commitments made in international forums like COP, actionable funding remains limited. While the GCF’s ongoing efforts are appreciated, there is a need to fully activate Loss and Damage Fund with consistent contributions from industrialised countries. The devastation faced by Pakistan calls for an approach rooted in equity, where those responsible for emissions assist those at the receiving end of climate catastrophes. Beyond financial support, technical expertise from developed nations can prove instrumental in equipping Pakistan with the tools it needs to devise localised solutions, mitigate disaster risks and promote sustainable adaptation practices.
