THE latest scientific assessment regarding climate change system demonstrably changed on both global and regional scales since pre-industrial era. The lives and livelihoods of billions of people around the globe are under severe threat of climate disasters. Last year seen various climate-related calamities like floods in Pakistan, China and Africa, droughts in Europe and China, hurricanes in Canada and Caribbean. The floods, heat waves and tornados have alarmed world to secure this globe. Egypt hosted COP-27 to discuss challenges regarding climate change. The participants of conference reiterated that global community will fulfil its commitments to cope with challenges, emanating from climate change. The major and positive development of COP-27 was consensus to establish Loss and Damage Fund.
The Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) was a major success of CoP 27. Pakistan played leading role in bringing all stakeholders on the same page. During conference, Western states seemed reluctant to finance countries that suffered because of climate change. Likewise, it has been eight months since establishment of the fund. Still, LDF has not been fully operationalized. First of all, the process to complete procedural matters for full functioning of LDF is being delayed. Some deadlines already missed by committees responsible to give final shape to the proposal related to designing mechanism of financial support to be presented at COP-28. Such delays raise questions about the sincere efforts of rich nations to make LDF into reality.
Secondly, rich countries are having various concerns in order to finance poor countries. Similarly, many countries mentioned ambitious targets to phase out fossil fuels and mitigate carbon emissions in their National Determined Contributions (NDC) but in reality, they are not taking practical steps to achieve those targets. According to UN Environment Programme Emission Gap Report 2022 “updated national pledges since COP26-held in 2021 in the UK- makes a negligible difference to the predicted 2030 emissions and that we are far from Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C. In such a scenario, where previous goals and commitments to tackle climate change on an emergency basis are undermined, how can these rich nations be trusted to provide financial support to operationalize Loss and Damage Fund’.
Challenges to implement climate change initiatives: Developing states are still looking towards developed states to honour their commitments. Likewise, developing a consensus on the mechanism of financial support will be another challenge for global community. Several questions need to be discussed and pondered while developing final proposal of Loss and Damage Fund to be presented at COP-28. What will be the criteria to fix number of funds to be collected in this fund? One mechanism can be to collect funds annually equally gathered from rich nations. If such a criterion is finalized, rich nations with fewer carbon emissions can raise hue and cry. The second option is to collect funds from a developed nation directly proportional to amount of carbon emission of that particular nation. This option can also be deliberated while finalizing draft of the proposal.
If consensus is developed on this mechanism, the next step will be to fix exact amount to be donated against a mutually agreed measuring scale of carbon emission. Another issue will be to allow or forbid any nation to directly invest in green projects of the country affected by climate disaster rather than depositing the amount in LDF. If more than one developing/developed nations become a victim of climate disaster in a year, then which country will be supported on a priority basis? What factors and elements will be taken into account to make such a decision? The second option can also be criticized if elements of empathy and human suffering are ignored just because the suffering nation could not develop solid plans due to lack of capacity or any other reason. Likewise, the priority should be given to rescue and relief missions such as food and medicine. Moreover, the fund can also be used for long-tern plans of rehabilitations.
Impacts of climate change on Pakistan: In Pakistan, climate change raises concern with its social, environmental and economic impacts. Pakistan is frequently exposed to natural hazards like floods, droughts and cyclones. These hazards when combined with vulnerabilities in shape of poverty, exclusion and inappropriate political decisions and actions make people more susceptible to impacts of hazards. The agriculture sector is most vulnerable to climate change and changes in cropping and productivity as a result of weather changes will affect the poor rural communities of the country. Considering the tough facts, Pakistani authorities should adopt immediate actions to combat detrimental effects of climate change.
The heatwave and devastating floods in 2022 are a reminder that climate change-induced disasters can significantly set back Pakistan’s development ambitions and its ability to reduce poverty. The damage to infrastructure, assets, crops and livestock has also been massive, with more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses.
Way forward: To cope with climate challenges, Pakistan can implement a combination of short-term and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change and promote sustainability. Following are some key points that Pakistan can take: • Invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. • Implement energy efficiency measures in industries, buildings and transportation to reduce energy consumption.
—The Islamabad-based writer is expert in Indian political affairs.
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