Unsustainable Carbon Footprint

Pakistan, despite being one of the world’s least polluting countries, is struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change. As Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change, pointed out, the country’s carbon emissions account for less than 1% of global emissions, yet it faces severe climate-related challenges.

Climate-Induced Disasters

The minister highlighted the devastating 2022 floods as a prime example of climate-induced disasters. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and melting glaciers have become more frequent, posing significant threats to Pakistan’s economy, food security, and public health.

• Extreme heatwaves, unpredictable monsoons, and rapid glacial melt are exacerbating floods and droughts.
• The agricultural sector, water resources, and coastal communities are under severe threat.
• Rising sea levels endanger coastal populations, while health risks from climate-related diseases are increasing.

Prioritizing Sustainable Solutions

To combat these challenges, Dr. Malik emphasized the importance of prioritizing sustainable solutions. The government has focused on reforestation and biodiversity conservation, aiming to increase renewable energy to 60% of the energy mix by 2030.