Climate Change

Most climate change experts agree that the success of COP28 in Dubai depends on the governments of the world taking major steps forward in the key areas of climate finance

As climate induced disasters damage educational infrastructures in Pakistan, the country struggles to bring millions of out of school children back to schools.

The country currently leads the Green Climate Fund at the global strategic level besides readying to protect its people and ecosystems from climate change’s impact with ‘Recharge Pakistan’.

Pakistan generates over 49.6 million tonnes of solid wastes annually and witnesses a 2.4 per cent increase every year. The country has a great potential to produce power and carry out composting, which could go a long way in mitigating impacts of climate change. Effective policies, political will, concerted efforts and adequate investment could turn this dream of environment friendly power generation into a reality but this opportunity is not without challenges.

An agreement on “Loss and Damage” is the only saving grace for COP27 that has nothing new to offer on reducing greenhouse gases.

An ambitious project to convert cattle dung to fuel for buses may improve Karachi’s pathetic transport system, check heavy pollution and restore soil fertility.

There are more than 6,000 glaciers in northern Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These are clean water reservoirs that actually irrigate Pakistan. But these glaciers are changing rapidly due to climate change. The ecosystem of these areas is changing. Global warming has accelerated their melting and more lakes have been formed as a result. Flooding due to the melting endangers lives and livelihoods of millions of local people and adversely affects the ecology. 

Climate change is a global issue, and its adverse effects are emerging in most countries worldwide. Many countries are taking steps to address these serious issues by introducing new climate-sensitive policies or through legislative changes. In contrast, poorer countries have not been able to do the same. Global warming and the rising sea surface temperature are having devastating effects on the local economy and the livelihood of the coastal communities in Balochistan.

Following the success of Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP) in Khyber Paktunkhwa (KP) province, the Government of Pakistan launched its flagship initiative Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP) in 2018 across the country with a view to harnessing the rapidly depleting natural resources and wildlife habitats. Within few years, the ambitious environmental conservation policy has helped turn around many barren landscapes, improve soil fertility, protect environment and wildlife, and, importantly, create livelihood options for local communities. Obviously, the project is attracting global attention.