IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with

providing a report on actions taken against climate challenges. The development

merits a critical examination of Pakistans climate policy and preparedness for
unforeseen climate events. The catastrophic floods of 2022, which inflicted damage
upwards of Rs3.2tr, are a stark reminder of our precarious position as the worlds
fifth most climate-vulnerable country. Our situation was exacerbated by recent
extreme weather claiming dozens of lives. The unimplemented mandates of the
Pakistan Climate Change Act, 2017, such as the establishment of the Pakistan
Climate Change Authority and the Climate Change Fund, point to a critical gap in
our climate governance. These entities are not mere bureaucratic additions but
essential frameworks for climate action and resilience building. Their absence
signifies a systemic failure to address climate concerns proactively. Equally
important is the courts emphasis on securing the Loss and Damage Fund, which offers
hope to rebuild after large-scale climate devastation. While global financial
support is crucial, it is essential for Pakistan to get its house in order.
Dependency on external aid without robust internal mechanisms and planning is a
precarious position. The fund, though significant, is a piece of the larger puzzle
of climate resilience and adaptation that requires domestic readiness and
foresight.

The government must respond to the SCs request with a comprehensive report that not
only outlines past initiatives but also charts a clear, actionable path forward.
This report should detail steps towards establishing the Climate Change Authority,
operationalising the Climate Change Fund, and enhancing local capacities for
disaster risk management and climate adaptation. It should also articulate
strategies for leveraging international climate finance, including the Loss and
Damage Fund, effectively and transparently. Establishing the mandated climate
bodies would be a significant step in aligning national efforts with global climate
goals, ensuring that Pakistan is not only a beneficiary of international support
but also a proactive participant in global climate governance. The court’s order is
a call to action for the government to prioritise climate change not just as an
environmental issue but also as a critical determinant of the nations security and
prosperity. The report must not only satisfy judicial inquiry but also serve as a
blueprint for a resilient, sustainable future for Pakistan.IN a welcome order by
the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on
actions taken against climate challenges. The development merits a critical
examination of Pakistans climate policy and preparedness for unforeseen climate
events. The catastrophic floods of 2022, which inflicted damage upwards of Rs3.2tr,
are a stark reminder of our precarious position as the worlds fifth most climate-
vulnerable country. Our situation was exacerbated by recent extreme weather
claiming dozens of lives. The unimplemented mandates of the Pakistan Climate Change
Act, 2017, such as the establishment of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority and
the Climate Change Fund, point to a critical gap in our climate governance. These
entities are not mere bureaucratic additions but essential frameworks for climate
action and resilience building. Their absence signifies a systemic failure to
address climate concerns proactively. Equally important is the courts emphasis on
securing the Loss and Damage Fund, which offers hope to rebuild after large-scale
climate devastation. While global financial support is crucial, it is essential for
Pakistan to get its house in order. Dependency on external aid without robust
internal mechanisms and planning is a precarious position. The fund, though
significant, is a piece of the larger puzzle of climate resilience and adaptation
that requires domestic readiness and foresight.

The government must respond to the SCs request with a comprehensive report that not
only outlines past initiatives but also charts a clear, actionable path forward.
This report should detail steps towards establishing the Climate Change Authority,
operationalising the Climate Change Fund, and enhancing local capacities for
disaster risk management and climate adaptation. It should also articulate
strategies for leveraging international climate finance, including the Loss and
Damage Fund, effectively and transparently. Establishing the mandated climate
bodies would be a significant step in aligning national efforts with global climate
goals, ensuring that Pakistan is not only a beneficiary of international support
but also a proactive participant in global climate governance. The court’s order is
a call to action for the government to prioritise climate change not just as an
environmental issue but also as a critical determinant of the nations security and
prosperity. The report must not only satisfy judicial inquiry but also serve as a
blueprint for a resilient, sustainable future for Pakistan.