PAKISTAN is grappling with a multitude of climatic challenges that pose significant threats to its environment, economy and society. Situated in a geographically diverse region, the country experiences a wide range of climatic conditions, from arid deserts to alpine regions. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events have underscored its vulnerability to global warming and environmental degradation.
One of the most pressing issues is the escalating pattern of extreme weather events. Pakistan faces devastating floods almost annually, with the 2022 deluge being a stark example. This catastrophe submerged nearly a third of the country, displaced over 33 million people and caused damages exceeding $30 billion. The 2010 super floods were similarly catastrophic, affecting over 20 million people and damaging 17 million acres of agricultural land. These floods not only devastate infrastructure but also lead to severe agricultural losses, threatening food security in a country where farming constitutes about 19% of GDP and employs nearly 38% of the labour force. On the other hand, the southern and central regions of Pakistan frequently endure prolonged droughts, such as the one in 2018, which impacted 2.7 million people in Sindh and Balochistan. This paradox of simultaneous flooding and drought exemplifies the complex challenges posed by climate change.
The alarming retreat of glaciers in the northern regions further highlights the crisis. Pakistan houses more than 7,200 glaciers, the highest number outside the Polar Regions, yet they are melting at an unprecedented rate. Reports indicate that the Shisper Glacier in Gilgit-Baltistan surged dangerously in 2019, threatening downstream communities. The accelerated melting directly affects the Indus River system, the lifeline of the country, which supplies water to 90% of Pakistan’s agricultural land. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, the country could face absolute water scarcity by 2025 if urgent measures are not taken.
Urban centres, too, are under siege from climate-induced adversities. Increasingly frequent heatwaves in cities like Karachi and Lahore have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years. In 2015, Karachi experienced a deadly heatwave that killed over 1,200 people in just a few days. Rapid urbanization, coupled with inadequate green spaces, exacerbates the urban heat island effect, leaving residents vulnerable to soaring temperatures. Additionally, air quality in major cities has deteriorated due to unchecked emissions and seasonal smog, with Lahore ranking among the world’s most polluted cities in recent years.
Pakistan’s susceptibility to climate change is exacerbated by socio-economic challenges. With a population exceeding 240 million, a large proportion of whom depend on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and livestock, the adverse effects of erratic weather patterns are felt disproportionately by marginalized communities. The World Bank estimates that climate change could push an additional 2.5 to 5 million Pakistanis into poverty by 2030. The economic toll of climate disasters is staggering, with losses amounting to $3.8 billion annually, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021.
Deforestation, a significant contributor to environmental degradation, remains a persistent problem. Between 1990 and 2015, Pakistan lost an estimated 24% of its forest cover. Although initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami launched in 2014 have garnered international praise and resulted in the plantation of over 1.5 billion trees by 2021, the rate of deforestation driven by illegal logging and urban expansion continues to outpace reforestation efforts. This not only contributes to carbon emissions but also leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.
Despite being responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to the Climate Risk Index 2021. The need for robust climate adaptation strategies is urgent. Investments in renewable energy, improved water management systems and disaster-resilient infrastructure can help mitigate these challenges. Pakistan has made strides in renewable energy, with solar and wind projects contributing nearly 5% of its energy mix by 2021, but there is immense potential for further expansion. International support, in the form of climate financing and technology transfer, is equally critical to enable Pakistan to adapt to its evolving environmental realities.
Addressing Pakistan’s climatic challenges requires a collective national commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. While these challenges are formidable, proactive measures and global cooperation offer a pathway to resilience, ensuring a secure and sustainable future for the generations to come.
—The writer is Associate Professor of Physiology, Watim Medical College, Islamabad
