Rich polluters urged to honour pledges

PM aide says Pakistan delegation will stress for support in financing, tech transfer, and expertise

ISLAMABAD:

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, affirmed that Pakistan, alongside other climate-vulnerable nations, will firmly advocate for wealthy, high-emitting countries to honour their climate finance commitments. This support is essential to help developing nations manage worsening climate impacts and transition toward a low-carbon future through adaptation and mitigation strategies, according to a press statement released on Monday.

"We are formulating a robust national position to advance during the upcoming UN-led global climate talks (COP29), which will span two weeks and prioritise key issues such as climate finance, adaptation and resilience, loss and damage, and mitigation efforts," Alam stated while delivering the keynote at the event 'Pre-COP29 Dialogue: Road from Dubai to Baku.'

At COP29, scheduled to begin on November 11, Pakistan will also reiterate the critical need for substantial financial aid from developed nations to support Pakistan's climate adaptation and mitigation measures, the press release noted.

Alam said that Pakistan has consistently advocated for mechanisms to address climate-induced loss and damage, especially for nations disproportionately affected despite minimal contributions to global emissions. She stated that Pakistan's delegation will push for fulfilling previous climate finance commitments to ensure that vulnerable countries can effectively respond to the climate crisis.

"I must highlight here that Pakistan continues to urge a clear, actionable framework from the world's rich countries, responsible for global warming, to address the loss and damage inflicted on resource-limited countries like ours, which bear the climate crisis's effects despite contributing only a tiny fraction to global carbon emissions," Alam remarked.

Reiterating Pakistan's readiness to work with international partners, she said, "As a responsible country, Pakistan stands ready to collaborate globally to forge actionable solutions for the climate crisis impacting communities, public infrastructure, and economies worldwide. We must realise that 'only together' can we create a sustainable and resilient future for all."

Alam added that climate action at all levels must align with sustainable development and low-carbon goals, stressing that the support of affluent countries in financing, technology transfer, and expertise is of unprecedented importance.

During the event, Secretary of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ministry, Aisha Humera Moriani expressed concern over the severe climate impacts Pakistan faces, along with other vulnerable nations. Recalling the 2022 super flood that displaced 33 million people, she highlighted the urgent need for stronger collaboration with civil society to navigate the complexities of climate finance, carbon markets, and resilience building.

"As Pakistan seeks solutions to climate-induced challenges, it's clear that no substantial progress can occur without meaningful civil society involvement," Moriani told attendees.

She further stressed that as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, Pakistan requires an estimated $350 billion by 2030 to respond comprehensively to climate threats. Thus, Pakistan aims for a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance at COP29.

Ayesha Khan, Chief Executive of the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), in her welcoming remarks, expressed deep concern over the unmet climate finance promises by wealthy nations. "The cost of inaction is rising with each degree of warming and with every delay in achieving our policy goals," she noted, underscoring the urgency of fulfilling financial commitments to mitigate adverse climate impacts on vulnerable regions, particularly in Asia.