Combating climate change
ACCORDING to the latest statistics, Pakistan and neighbouring countries are considered among the most affected by the climate change.
This will have serious consequences. It does not only mean that the temperature will rise and our glaciers will melt but there will be an increase in migrations, food security issues, water security, longer period of drought and disrupting the usual balance of nature.
Pakistan has been facing a number of climate related challenges including seasonal floods, desertification, rise in the sea level and scarcity of water.
The recent unprecedented floods in Pakistan and extreme weather events show that the climate crisis have become more severe.
The dangers of climate change are escalating very fast and increasingly amplifying the negative impacts.
The climate-related disasters almost affect every sphere of life posing a serious threat to human well-being and overall global ecosystem.
The catastrophe of climate change is all too obvious in the country. The recent recorded spell of rain followed by massive flooding has caused havoc and unleashed devastation across the country, and particularly in Balochistan which witnessed unparalleled floods.
Balochistan province is an arid region characterized by low rain-fall and frequent dry spells and persistent droughts.
Torrential rains during the monsoon season led to disastrous floods resulting in the huge loss of life and property.
Climatologically and hydrological research show that the intensity of flood will increase in future.
An urgent action is required at all level if we want to limit global warming and coupe up with such widespread disasters.
Pakistan has launched its first ever climate change policy in February 2013. It is considered a basic document on climate change in Pakistan.
This policy focuses both mitigation and adaptation measures. The main objectives of the policy include sustained economic growth while minimizing climate-related risks.
The emphasis of this policy is on global and regional cooperation to face the challenging issue of climate change.
Similarly, in March 2022, the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan announced the National Climate Change Policy to take substantial and tangible steps towards a low carbon society and make the country more resilient to climate change.
Besides, the policy addresses associated challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation in the future as well as Ecosystem Restoration.
A comprehensive framework has also been provided for the conservation of water resources and energy and the reduction of CO2 released into our atmosphere.
However, there is no clarity on what will happen to the international climate change policy and how this will move forward.
For this, climate change is one of the most difficult and complex problems in the policy terrain.
It is a gigantic challenge to make developing countries agree to mitigation targets. They come up with an argument that developed countries are the main cause of environmental degradation.
This is all about priorities and interests. This reflects the gravity and nature of climate change issue.
It is important to take on board all relevant stakeholders over climate change policy issue so that the desired results could be achieved amicably.
But this is not without implications. The economic development of these countries is inextricably linked up with increasing demands for energy whereas fossil fuels are the main source of energy.
The developing countries with their huge population want their economic development irrespective of environmental consequences.
On the other hand, for developed countries, the environment is the main concern. Policies or decisions made through a single dominant perspective rarely see its manifestation on the ground.
Furthermore, the clashes of interests appear to be the main impediment to move forward to solve this global problem.
Pollution is an issue that literally spills over national boundaries, making it a salient concern for modern governance.
Being a global problem, it is not possible for a single country or a region to solve this issue. It is a difficult, intricate and complex challenge for policy makers and global governance.
The issue is too big and frightening to get our heads around. In this backdrop, it is apt to mention that there is a growing realization at all levels about this serious problem of climate change and possible alternatives to be worked out and given priorities at policy level.
The main concern is to decarbonize the environment as much as possible. Shifting to renewable sources of energy will be a giant step forward towards emission reduction.
It is an efficient source of energy in the face of rising prices of fossil fuels. But it again involves numerous policy issues ranging from finance to technology and regulatory measures.
It’s difficult to argue that only a single approach will lead to some sort of solution. However, this demands cooperation beyond the state.
The climate change problem requires genuine commitments and all out efforts by all nations to make a successful deal.
Effectiveness, efficiency, and equity are so important to strike a deal and without which it would not be possible to reach a durable agreement to avoid cascading and irreversible climate effects.
In this direction, every single country is required to step up efforts, and particularly major countries have a particular responsibility to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This means United States, China, Russian, India, Europe as a whole and another group of countries like Kora, Japan and others all have to be part of this effort.
The recent Conference of Parties (COP 27)- a high level international meeting on climate change- held in Egypt concluded with some important decisions.
During the two weeks deliberations, the world’s eyes were on Sharm el-sheik. Stakeholders from heads of state and policy makers to climate activists, civil society and private sector joined COP27.
Energy challenges and solutions were high on the agenda, and how to accelerate a just, inclusive and equitable energy transition to address the climate catastrophe for a healthy sustainable planet.
Among several other decisions, the ‘loss and damage’ funding arrangement for the vulnerable countries is considered a significant breakthrough to respond to loss and damage.
This is a fund that would be established to pay for loss and damage. The money will go towards vulnerable poor countries that need support after climate disasters.
The damages and losses are more severe and unquantifiable particularly for vulnerable countries and communities.
Climate change has already caused death and suffering across the world and it will continue to do so.
It could soon overwhelm the ability of nature and humanity to tackle its consequences and ultimately end up to existential crisis.
We need everyone on board both at grassroots and high level. Collective, urgent and accelerated actions both nationally and internationally to combat climate change.
—The writer serving as Provincial Secretary in the Government of Balochistan.
