Loss And Damage: Pakistan’s Fight For Survival At COP-29 – OpEd

A farmer watching his crops drown, a family fleeing their flooded home, a child gasping for breath in the scorching heat – these are the human faces of Pakistan’s climate crisis, and these issues are not confined by borders but spread globally. These extreme climate crises, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather patterns, melting ice caps, and increasing sea levels, are not just environmental issues that disrupt the ecosystem; they also cause a humanitarian emergency that threatens the very fabric of our society. There is no “Restart Button” that will fix things overnight.

Climate change poses a direct threat to national security and amplifies risks across traditional and non-traditional sectors, which may exacerbate existing geopolitical and geo-economic tensions between states. Similar to the intercontinental crisis of climate, a massive strike of climate destruction influences key local sectors of states. Pakistan is among the vulnerable countries enduring the trickle-down effects of climatic variations across its military, economy, political, and social sectors. Due to changing weather patterns, the average annual temperature in Pakistan has increased by 0.6°C. These ongoing meteorological conditions result in extensive heat waves, leading to a food deficit of 70 million tons and projected water scarcity expected to rise by 32% in Pakistan by 2025, according to a World Bank report from 2020-2021.

Another primary hazard of temperature variability is the melting of ice caps and glaciers, which results in colossal flooding. Considering the massive floods of 2022, Pakistan received twice as much rain as the 30-year average, affecting 33 million people. The floods demolished 2.3 million homes, killed 800,000 livestock, wiped out over 1.7 hectares (4.4 million acres) of arable land, destroyed about 30,000 schools and 2,000 health facilities. More than one-third of the country was submerged by the floods, causing the deaths of 1,793 people and displacing 7.9 million people, pushing over 8 million people into poverty.

Moving forward towards climatic maneuvers, the “Conference of the Parties” (COP) is held every year to tackle climatic variations and outline a roadmap around sustainable goals. Acknowledging climate change as a common concern for humankind, COP26-28 took several necessary measures to serve the global net-zero target by midcentury, keep global temperature increases within 1.5°C, protect communities and natural habitats, mobilize finance, and collaborate to finalize the Paris rulebook. Additionally, they adopted and operationalized “Loss and Damage” funds to help developing countries bear the immediate cost of climate-fueled events and reduce emissions by cutting the use of fossil fuels.

Recognizing the importance of multilateralism in advancing climate action both regionally and internationally under the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, Pakistan has been shifting 60% of its energy production towards clean energy. The country is also investing in nature-based solutions, financing, and transitioning coal projects to zero-carbon initiatives, including the development of 3,700MW of hydropower.

Despite all these efforts, questions remain: why does the adaptation gap between the Global North and South persist? Why has the goal of the $100 billion climate fund not been fulfilled? Why are developing countries bearing the costs for the luxuries of wealthier nations? Developing countries experience significantly greater impacts of climate change, suffering 15 times more casualties from natural disasters than developed nations despite contributing less to global emissions and being less technologically advanced. According to the UN Environment Program, these countries will require annual financial commitments ranging from $215 billion to $387 billion throughout this decade to effectively address and mitigate climatic variations. The fund will be managed by the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will play a crucial role in advising on the fund’s operationalization. Developed countries have pledged more than $661 million in voluntary contributions, with additional commitments expected from various sectors. However, the question from the Global South is: what should be the distributive mechanism of loss and damage funds?

Owing to the immensity of climate-related challenges it is facing, Pakistan should advocate for a distributive funding mechanism for the Loss and Damage Fund at COP-29. This mechanism should be a tiered system where contributions are based on countries’ historical emissions and current technological and economic developments. Countries should be categorized into three tiers: high, moderate, or low historic emitters, depending on the level of greenhouse gas emissions and economic capacities per capita. A progressive scale, with major polluters bearing the greatest burden, is essential. To ensure equitable distribution, a climate vulnerability index should be employed to allocate funds to nations most impacted by climate change. This index should assess factors like disaster frequency, economic losses, and governance capacity.

To maximize funding, developed countries should be encouraged to match contributions from private sectors and international organizations. Additionally, debt relief mechanisms can be implemented, where a portion of a country’s debt is forgiven in exchange for climate investments. This strategy can alleviate financial burdens for vulnerable states. A transparent and accountable governance structure, complete with regular audits and stakeholder participation, is crucial for effective fund management. Furthermore, dedicating resources to technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries will empower them to implement robust climate action plans.

Given the urgency of this complex financial system, it is crucial to capture the attention of other parties to establish long-term policies and guidelines. To ensure a fair allocation of funds, a greater proportion should be reserved for the Global South, which contributes the least to climate change and environmental degradation. Conversely, developing countries that contribute more to global warming due to their technological and industrial advancements should contribute more financially. This approach would hold these nations accountable for their actions and help bridge the gap between the developed and developing countries.

Yet the collective efforts to curb emissions and enhance adaptation, along with current measures, require amplification at COP-29 to address the rapid and extensive impacts of climate change as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. The global vulnerability demands urgent attention from both national and worldwide efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The harrowing climate impacts faced by Pakistan, such as devastating floods, extreme heat, and food and water scarcity, illustrate the urgency for global action.

At COP-29, Pakistan must champion a distributive funding mechanism for the Loss and Damage Fund, emphasizing a tiered contribution system based on historical emissions and current economic capacities. This approach ensures that major polluters bear the greatest financial burden, while the most vulnerable nations receive the necessary support to cope with the climate-induced adversities. By advocating for transparent governance, debt relief mechanisms, and substantial contributions from developed countries, Pakistan can help establish a fair and effective financial framework. This strategy is vital to bridging the adaptation gap and securing a sustainable future for all states, particularly those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.