Climate change sparking renewed calls for joint action: Over 657 deaths in Pakistan due to monsoon rains since June
Pakistan's Government Tackles Climate Change and Disaster Management
Pakistan, one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, is taking decisive action to combat its impacts. The government's strategy is multifaceted, focusing on emission reductions, adaptation to climate risks, and disaster resilience, particularly in response to the devastating floods of recent years.
The Prime Minister has emphasised the critical importance of increasing Pakistan's tree plantation rate to counter the harmful effects of climate change. This call to action is supported by President Zardari, who believes that the well-being and progress of any nation are grounded in the preservation of its forests and natural environment.
Pakistan has submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aiming for a 50% reduction in projected emissions by 2030. This plan includes shifting to 60% renewable energy and promoting 30% electric vehicle use by 2030, alongside banning coal imports and expanding nature-based solutions.
In terms of adaptation and resilience, Pakistan’s NDC covers critical sectors like agriculture, biodiversity, disaster risk management, forestry, health, waste, and water. Given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters like floods, the government is emphasising disaster risk management and ecosystem restoration to build resilience.
The government is also actively preparing to engage in international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Efforts involve policy integration and capacity-building to develop mitigation projects in sectors like waste, transport, and cement, thereby mobilising climate finance for a low-carbon transition.
Pakistan is aligning its energy policies with climate realities by promoting renewable energy sources and improving policy consistency. Reducing fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting savings to renewables is a recommended approach to support this transition.
Recent heavy monsoon rains and flooding have caused extensive damage and loss of life, with at least 323 deaths and 156 injuries reported in Pakistan's northern region since August 15. Search efforts are ongoing in affected areas, particularly in KP's Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram districts, where homes were flattened by water torrents.
In response to these disasters, the Pakistani government launched a Monsoon Tree Plantation Drive, aiming to plant more than 41 million saplings across the country. The Green Pakistan Programme, a national initiative to expand forest cover, rehabilitate degraded lands, restore the balance of nature, and promote nature-based solutions, is also being intensified.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have called for a collective response to climate change through the advancement of the Green Pakistan Programme. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also promised compensation for financial losses and damages to private property in the affected areas.
Two to three more monsoon spells are expected until the first weeks of September. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the country over the next 24 hours, particularly in Islamabad, KP, Punjab, and Azad Kashmir.
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- The government's focus on environmental-science and climate-change is evident in the increased emphasis on tree plantation in Pakistan's culture, as advocated by both the Prime Minister and President Zardari.
- Art can play a role in raising awareness about climate-change and its impacts, as the country grapples with the devastating effects of weather-related disasters like floods.
- The advancements in science and technology, such as weather-forecasting, are crucial for disaster management and improving the health of the affected population in the face of natural calamities.
- As Pakistan prepares to engage in international carbon markets, the news about the country's efforts in decreasing emissions and promoting renewable energy sources is taking the world by storm.
- The devastating consequences of climate-change are not limited to the environment alone; they also impact the culture, health, and economy of a nation like Pakistan, calling for a coordinated response at the global level.
- In the midst of disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts, the government is promoting the integration of art, culture, and environmental-science into the curriculum of schools and universities, aiming to nurture the next generation of environmental advocates and scientists.
