COP28 & Pakistan

PAKISTAN is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. It has paid a massive cost over the years due to recurring climate events that not just destroy infrastructure, but also livelihoods, while having a very high human cost. The floods that ravaged the southern half of the country led to direct losses of more than $30 billion, while indirect losses that can be attributed to a disruption in the supply chain that led to spiralling inflation and loss of livelihoods would accumulate to a much higher amount. The conversation regarding climate change largely revolves around transitioning towards clean energy and having mitigation mechanisms in place. However, Pakistan is in its very early stages of development, and in order to reduce poverty and increase incomes, it needs access to affordable, indigenous, and consistent energy supply. The same may be at loggerheads with the conventional climate change goals formulated and cascaded by the global north. In order to prepare itself for a climate emergency, the country needs to revamp the way it operates and builds things completely. Climate mitigation can also be done using existing resources, with a more pro-people and pro-climate orientation.