PM Shehbaz urges global action on climate finance at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the international community to fulfil its promises on climate finance, stating that loading more debt onto vulnerable nations is not a solution to the climate crisis.

PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s acute vulnerability, noting the country is still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods that caused over $30 billion in losses. He added that this year’s monsoon season has already “impacted more than five million people, destroyed 4,100 villages, and claimed over 1,000 precious lives.”

Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan “bears impacts far beyond our share,” the prime minister emphasised. However, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its climate goals, having already achieved its unconditional target of a 15% reduction in projected emissions by 2030.

Read: Muslim leaders reject Gaza displacement

Despite Pakistan's minimal role in causing global emissions, the Prime Minister said the country bears a disproportionate burden of the impacts. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to climate action, announcing new goals to generate 62% of energy from renewables and hydropower by 2035 and shift 30% of transport to electric power.

Official data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reveals the heavy toll of the 2025 monsoon season, recording at least 956 fatalities and 1,062 injuries between June 26 and September 12.

The human loss was most acute in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, with 504 and 268 deaths respectively, primarily from flash floods and building collapses. The destruction extended to infrastructure, with over 8,480 houses damaged, nearly 6,500 livestock lost, and more than 1,100 kilometers of roads and bridges destroyed across the country.

Read more: France recognises Palestinian state before UNGA

In response, a large-scale relief effort was mounted, involving 5,399 rescue operations that evacuated close to 2.8 million people, while relief and medical camps provided shelter for 101,000 displaced individuals and treatment for over 355,000 patients.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for ambitious new national plans. "Clean is competitive, and climate action is imperative," he said, pushing for a clear strategy to deliver $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance.

He urged nations to submit strong new climate plans for 2035, stressing that the upcoming COP30 in Brazil must deliver a “credible global response plan.” This includes a concrete path to mobilizing the agreed $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035.

Also read: Pakistan urges IMF to ease bailout terms

Guterres also called for “effective debt relief” for developing nations, which are suffering the most from a crisis they did the least to cause.