Pakistan's case at COP

In the wake of mounting climate-related catastrophes and environmental crises, Pakistan took advantage of the notable attendance at the ongoing Conference of the Parties (COP) in Azerbaijan to call for a dedicated global fund - to the tune of $6.8 trillion till 2030 - for climate change adaptation. Reiterated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his address at a roundtable, the initiative not only underscores the urgency of the climate crisis but also highlights the responsibilities of wealthier nations to assist vulnerable countries that bear the brunt of environmental degradation.

Climate change is not a distant threat; it is an immediate crisis that has already resulted in devastating floods, heatwaves and unpredictable weather patterns in many parts of the world. For Pakistan, the impact has been severe, with recent events illustrating the consequences of inadequate support for climate adaptation. The floods of 2022, which submerged vast areas and disrupted millions of lives, were supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. But the same was said of the floods a decade ago, and is likely to be said of some future floods, as weather patterns continue to become more erratic and harsh. Unfortunately, Pakistan and several other countries cannot afford to even cover the cost of preparing for such regularly occurring 'once-in-a-lifetime' events.

Creating a fund backed primarily by wealthier countries, especially those most responsible for past and present pollution, should be an essential component of global climate strategy. Such a fund would provide resources for infrastructure improvements, agricultural adaptation techniques, disaster preparedness and sustainable development initiatives that can help mitigate the risks posed by climate change. Unfortunately, with the reelection of climate change denier Donald Trump as president of the United States, any climate funding from Washington is up in the air - the same air that the US has historically polluted more than any other nation.