COP29 is more than just another climate conference- it’s a pivotal moment, especially for developing nations like Pakistan, where the stakes are higher than ever. As the global com-munity continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, this year pre-sents an unparalleled opportunity for countries on the front lines of the crisis to push for real, lasting change. The year 2024 will see three major COPs- on climate change, biodiver-sity and land- unfold back-to-back. For Pakistan, this is a moment to elevate its voice, to make clear that the climate crisis is not just an abstract concern for the future but a tangible threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions today.
Despite contributing less than 1% to global carbon emissions, Pakistan suffers immensely from climate impacts, facing catastrophic floods, scorching heatwaves and erratic weather patterns. At COP29, Pakistan must advocate for overdue financial commitments from devel-oped nations, particularly in adaptation and loss and damage. Too often, climate finance has focused solely on mitigation. For countries like Pakistan, however, resilience-building through adaptation is essential. Financial support must go beyond vague promises, translat-ing into concrete aid that bolsters vulnerable nations against an uncertain future.
Biodiversity loss and land degradation compound Pakistan’s environmental challenges, di-rectly affecting agriculture, a key economic sector. The COPs on biodiversity and desertifica-tion provide an ideal venue to address these interconnected crises. Biodiversity loss under-mines food security and rural livelihoods, while desertification intensifies these risks. Ad-dressing desertification through land restoration and sustainable agriculture could yield economic opportunities in rural areas. Yet, for this to happen, Pakistan needs innovative fi-nancing that combines public and private investments and COP29 is the right stage to make this case.
The challenge, however, is not merely about securing funds; it’s about redefining climate finance. Pakistan and other developing nations must advocate for a holistic approach that integrates biodiversity conservation and land restoration into climate finance frameworks. Climate change, biodiversity and land degradation are interconnected and must be ad-dressed collectively. The Green Climate Fund and other global financial bodies should ex-pand their mandates to reflect this complexity. Pakistan should lead the push for a climate finance model that incorporates the socio-economic realities of the Global South and goes beyond mitigation.
Additionally, Pakistan should position itself as a leader among climate-vulnerable nations, building alliances with other developing countries. Often, climate discussions focus on North-South dynamics, yet developing countries can offer each other valuable insights and solutions. Africa’s success with nature-based approaches, for instance, could inspire Paki-stan’s strategies to combat desertification. By fostering collaboration with other nations fac-ing similar challenges, Pakistan can strengthen its negotiating power and build a more uni-fied front at COP29 and beyond.
While international collaboration is essential, Pakistan must also address its internal climate governance challenges. Since the 18th Amendment, climate policy has become fragmented, with each province developing its own policy. While these sub-national policies reflect local priorities, the lack of national coordination has hindered a unified climate strategy. The Pakistan Climate Act aimed to foster federal-provincial cooperation, yet implementation has been slow and uneven. This fragmentation is more than a bureaucratic issue; it obstructs effective climate action at a critical time.
To address this, Pakistan could establish a national platform modelled on the annual COP, where provincial and federal representatives could coordinate efforts, align goals and en-sure transparency. Such a forum would allow Pakistan to ensure that its Nationally Deter-mined Contributions (NDCs) are met, strengthening its climate agenda by aligning local ac-tions with international commitments.
Public engagement is equally vital. COP29 provides an opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns, not just for policymakers. Grassroots advocacy, awareness campaigns and com-munity-level initiatives are essential in addressing Pakistan’s climate challenges with ur-gency. Digital campaigns can create global awareness, while active participation in public consultations can hold leaders accountable. Community initiatives that demonstrate sus-tainable practices can also mobilize public support toward meaningful climate action.
At the heart of these challenges lies a deeper problem: capacity. Pakistan’s climate governance system is critically under-resourced and recruitment practices often ignore the need for sub-ject-matter expertise. The climate crisis is not something that can be addressed through generalist approaches- it demands technical knowledge, innovative thinking and a commit-ment to research.
The Pakistan Climate Act envisioned a Climate Authority that would serve as a hub for this kind of expertise, but without merit-based recruitment, this authority risks becoming another bureaucratic white elephant. The time for inaction is over. Pakistan must seize the moment, not just to survive but to thrive in a world that is rapidly changing. COP29 can be the platform where Pakistan transitions from a victim of climate change to a leader in the fight for climate justice, setting an example for the rest of the developing world. Let this be the moment where Pakistan takes its future into its own hands—before it’s too late.
—The writer is a policy advocate and researcher. She is a Public Policy Master’s graduate of King’s College London.
