- Pakistan’s climate voice is strong; now it’s time to transform ambition into resilient action.
In recent years, Pakistan has positioned itself vocally as a frontline state in the global climate crisis. From the floor of international summits to domestic political speeches, climate change rhetoric is loud and persistent. Yet, despite this visible propagation, practical and sustained action on climate adaptation and mitigation remains elusive.
Rhetoric without results
Pakistan’s narrative as a climate victim is not unfounded. Ranked among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, it faces recurring floods, glacial melt, heatwaves, droughts, and water scarcity. Policymakers frequently remind the world that Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet bears a disproportionate brunt of the consequences.
In this context, Pakistan has indeed made some policy strides: the National Climate Change Policy (2012, updated in 2021), participation in the Paris Agreement, the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, and recent attempts to draft a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). However, these frameworks, though sound on paper, have not translated effectively into tangible, scalable, or measurable action on the ground.
Why the gap exists
The primary reason for this disconnect lies in weak implementation capacity. Ministries and departments tasked with climate action are chronically underfunded, politically sidelined, and lack technical expertise. Despite the federal policy push, implementation depends heavily on provincial governments that often lack both institutional readiness and political will.
Moreover, Pakistan’s climate response has largely become donor-driven and optics-focused. Projects are launched with fanfare and international media coverage, but with limited oversight or continuity. The climate narrative is used more for diplomatic leverage than for guiding internal reforms. Consequently, while Pakistan is seen raising a loud voice globally, its cities continue to choke under smog, its forests shrink, and its water systems degrade.
Cost of iInaction
The cost of this strategic negligence is steep. The 2022 floods, which displaced millions and caused billions in damages, are only a preview of what climate inaction entails. Yet the rebuilding process lacked meaningful climate-proofing. Similarly, urban heatwaves are becoming annual tragedies due to lack of early warning systems, tree cover, or resilient infrastructure.
Furthermore, the failure to climate-proof sectors like agriculture, energy, and water could have far-reaching socio-economic consequences, including food insecurity, migration, and economic losses. In short, climate change is no longer a future threat—it is a present crisis, and we are ill-prepared.
The way forward
To move from rhetoric to reality, Pakistan must:
— Integrate climate policy into core development planning, not as a side project but as a national priority.
— Build institutional capacity, both federally and provincially, backed with trained human resources and dedicated budgets.
— Develop a climate accountability framework with clear metrics, responsibilities, and timelines.
— Empower local governments and community stakeholders to adapt solutions at the grassroots level.
— Mobilize domestic finance, rather than over-relying on foreign aid, to sustain long-term climate resilience.
— Invest in climate education, awareness, and public discourse that promotes sustainable practices in daily life.
Conclusion
Pakistan stands at a dangerous crossroads. The space for policy action exists, but it is shrinking with every season of disaster. It is time to replace cosmetic environmentalism with systemic, sustained action. If we continue to treat climate change as a platform for international sympathy rather than a call for domestic reform, we may soon reach a point of irreversible loss — not just to our environment, but to our future as a stable, livable nation.
The author is a Pakistani researcher and socio-political analyst associated with Pakistan & Gulf Economist and Daily The Spokesman. He focuses on economics, governance, and regional affairs