Climate Change and Major Hurdles

This article will give you a glimpse of climate issues and the major hurdles that curb to settle down this current issue. This is the abstract from Dawn’s e-paper opinion (Title: Climate adaptation).

Introduction:
As the specter of World War III looms in public consciousness amid tragic global events like the Israel-Gaza conflict, the urgency of addressing climate change is sidelined. However, recognizing the interconnectedness of crises is essential; we cannot negate one disaster for another. The lead-up to COP28, the annual UN climate change conference, is often overshadowed, but for many Pakistanis, the imminent threats posed by climate change are more immediately existential than geopolitical conflicts.

Climate Threshold Breach:
The World Meteorological Society’s recent report sounds an alarming note, predicting that by 2027, the world will breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate threshold agreed upon at the 2015 Paris climate summit. This signifies a rapid rise in global temperatures, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change. The breaching of this threshold is merely three years away, posing a pressing question: How old will you be? What about your children?

Shift to Climate Adaptation:
Acknowledging the potential failure in meeting the crucial 1.5°C target, global climate leaders are increasingly focusing on climate adaptation. This shift entails adjusting social, economic, and ecological systems to cope with the realities of climate change and its profound impacts. While previous efforts concentrated on mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas emissions—there is a growing recognition that, given our continued reliance on fossil fuels, adaptation strategies must take center stage.

Financial Hurdles in Climate Adaptation:
A recent UN report emphasizes that developing countries require $387 billion annually to effectively adapt to climate change. This figure represents a $47 billion increase from the previous estimate. Notably, this adaptation financing need surpasses current international public finance flows by 10 to 18 times, and these flows have dwindled in recent years. Former climate minister Sherry Rehman highlights that Pakistan alone needs $348 billion by 2030 to build climate resilience. However, as of November 2022, the country had received only $86.2 million in bilateral grants focused on climate adaptation since 2016. This stark financial shortfall led the president-designate of COP28 to acknowledge the inadequacy of finance for adaptation efforts.

Assessing the Realism of Climate Aims in Pakistan
Introduction:

Pakistan, grappling with the severe impacts of climate change, has acknowledged the imperative of prioritizing adaptation efforts, as demonstrated by the publication of its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in July. While this step aligns with international best practices and climate frameworks, the question remains: How realistic are these climate aims in a society where principles of inclusion and equity face challenges in various realms?

Timely but Delayed National Adaptation Plan:
Pakistan’s NAP, covering the period from the present to 2030, aligns with global best practices for climate adaptation. However, it is noteworthy that the plan comes 11 years later than outlined in the country’s own climate strategy. Despite this delay, its release ahead of COP28 indicates a commitment to addressing climate change, particularly considering the country’s vulnerability to issues like flooding.

Alignment with Global Recommendations:
The NAP’s alignment with the UN’s best practice approaches and the principles advocated by a recent McKinsey report is a positive step. The McKinsey report emphasizes a systemic approach to climate adaptation, focusing on a climate risk management mindset, technological and behavioral adaptation, economic and societal adjustments, and governance support.

Challenges in Societal Adjustment and Governance:
The economic and societal adjustment component of the McKinsey report, calling for compensating mechanisms for vulnerable communities and institutions, and the governance category, emphasizing community awareness and engagement, echo in Pakistan’s NAP. However, the real challenge lies in translating these principles into reality, given existing societal norms. In a society where inclusion and equity are often secondary concerns in areas like healthcare, justice, education, and public finances, adapting these principles to climate initiatives presents a significant hurdle.

Local Implementation and Empowerment:
While the NAP rightly advocates for locally developed and implemented adaptation strategies, a critical obstacle emerges concerning the empowerment of local governments. Pakistan’s history of shunning and disempowering local governance structures raises questions about the feasibility and effectiveness of such strategies.

Gender and Marginalized Communities:
Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of women and marginalized communities to climate impacts, the NAP emphasizes inclusion and equity. However, the disconcerting reality of rights violations in normal circumstances raises doubts about whether society will behave differently in the face of climate challenges.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the dual crises of impending global conflict and climate change demand simultaneous attention. While the immediate horrors of conflict may dominate headlines, the existential threat posed by climate change, particularly for nations like Pakistan, cannot be ignored. The breach of the 1.5°C threshold underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, with a shift towards adaptation strategies. However, financial constraints loom large, jeopardizing the ability of developing nations, including Pakistan, to build resilience. As the world grapples with these interconnected challenges, a comprehensive and collaborative approach is imperative to secure a sustainable and resilient future. while Pakistan’s National Adaptation Plan is a positive step toward addressing climate change, its success depends on translating principles into societal realities. The challenges lie in aligning adaptation efforts with existing societal norms, empowering local governance structures, and overcoming historical shortcomings in areas like gender equality and the rights of marginalized communities. The realism of climate aims in Pakistan hinges not just on the content of plans but on a broader societal shift towards prioritizing inclusion, equity, and local empowerment in the face of climate challenges.

Difficult Words with Meanings:

Specter: a visible incorporeal spirit, especially one of a terrifying nature; a ghost or phantom.

Dwindled: diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength.

Gravitating: Moving or tending to move toward a center of gravity or other attraction.

Robust: Strong and healthy; vigorous.

Articulating: Expressing or stating clearly.

Credited : Farhan Khan