Climate Justice for Pakistan at COP31
COP31 has opened in Antalya with the same familiar fight over money. The UN Secretary-General has told leaders to "get serious" about a crisis that is no longer a forecast but a daily emergency. Developing nations have had to fight just to put climate finance on the official agenda. For countries like Pakistan, this is not just a diplomatic event. It is a matter of survival.
Pakistan's Climate Vulnerability
Pakistan has a negligible carbon footprint. It contributes less than 1% of global emissions. However, it ranks among the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries. The country faces heatwaves, extreme monsoons, and accelerating glacial melt.
Impact of the 2022 Floods
The 2022 super-floods submerged a third of the country. They affected 33 million people and caused over $30 billion in damage. Islamabad now estimates that meeting its climate commitments will require $565 billion by 2035. Where that money will come from is unclear. Self-financing is not a real option because more than 60% of revenues are currently consumed by debt servicing alone.
Pakistan's Negotiating Priorities
Pakistan's negotiating priorities are clear. They include accessible adaptation finance, predictable grant-based loss-and-damage support, and international recognition of threats, including mountain climate risks.
Loss and Damage Fund
As things stand, the Loss and Damage Fund is still embarrassingly small. Only $342 million is available against $2.8 billion in requests. Pakistan's own $58 million in proposals received no allocation.
Suggestions for Pakistan
Experts have suggested that Pakistan build a 'mountain coalition' with countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The goal is to demand glacier monitoring, early-warning systems, and resilient infrastructure.
Islamabad should also use ties with China and G77 countries to lobby for more grant-based finance options. These options should not push affected countries further into debt. Though Pakistan cannot give much in return, it can offer to improve domestic transparency for donors' funds. However, that may be an even more difficult task.
