Pakistan is no longer confronting climate change as a future threat—it is battling its brutal consequences today. Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the country ranks among the most climate-vulnerable nations. From glacial melt to heatwaves, floods to droughts, the impacts are now structural, affecting every corner of society.
The agricultural sector, the backbone of the economy, is in a state of distress. Erratic rainfall, soaring temperatures, and water scarcity are shrinking yields of key crops like wheat, rice, and cotton. Livestock losses, rising cultivation costs, and pest outbreaks are threatening rural livelihoods and deepening poverty. The GDP growth forecast for 2025 has already been revised down due to climate-driven disruptions, signaling the economic storm ahead.
Also Read: IMF Approves $1.3 Billion Climate Financing for Pakistan
Beyond agriculture, the country’s biodiversity and ecosystems are suffering. Migratory birds skip degraded wetlands, poultry farms struggle under heat stress, and water scarcity looms large. In 2022, devastating floods displaced 33 million people and caused $40 billion in damages. Meanwhile, rising wildfires in places like Margalla Hills are another warning sign of climate instability.
Senator Sherry Rehman has urged the government to declare an environmental emergency, highlighting Pakistan’s ranking as the most impacted country in the 2022 Climate Risk Index. She called for urgent reforms, international support, and climate justice, questioning why low-emission nations like Pakistan must bear the cost of the world’s carbon excess.
To survive the coming decades, Pakistan must act now. The path forward includes investing in climate-smart agriculture, water management systems, early warning mechanisms, and gaining access to international funds like the Loss and Damage Fund. Without immediate and coordinated action, the country risks locking itself into a cycle of irreversible climate shocks.
