Pakistan calls for global action to mitigate impacts of climate change

Pakistan's Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik called for global solidarity and action to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, saying there is an urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies.

"To combat climate change, we need to invest in resilient infrastructure, improved water management systems, enhanced disaster preparedness and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture," the minister said during an event on Sunday.

Citing the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan, Malik stressed that Pakistan bears a disproportionate share of the climate burden, adding that the country remained consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing less than 1 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions.

"Rising average temperatures, increasingly erratic rainfall patterns and the alarming retreat of glaciers are clear indicators of an unfolding crisis that threatens the country's water security, agriculture and overall economic stability," he said.

Commenting on Pakistan's commitment to climate mitigation, the minister said the government has been taking measures to increase the share of renewable energy to 60 percent by 2030, transition to electric vehicles, and promote nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration.

He said Pakistan cannot achieve the goals alone and that developed nations need to fulfill their climate finance commitments, particularly through the operationalization of the loss and damage fund.

He added that mobilizing financial and technological support is essential for ensuring a just transition and building resilience among the most vulnerable populations.

(Cover: A dried-up section of the Indus River resulting from decreased water levels at Kotri Barrage near Hyderabad, Pakistan, April 24, 2025. /VCG)