‘Pakistan raised voice for other vulnerable nations also at COP29’

Islamabad:Romina Khurshid Alam, PM’s Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, has said that Pakistan beyond its own interests raised voice for other vulnerable nations at COP29 in Baku.

Ms Romina was speaking at a seminar on "Post-COP reflections from Baku to Pakistan" hosted here by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Ms Romina said that we returned with a clear understanding of where future efforts must be directed. We want environmental justice, and it’s essential for developing and affected countries to collaborate, she said adding that judiciary’s climate activism is invaluable.

The Coordinator stressed that Pakistan’s unified presence at COP29 marks a significant step toward advancing climate justice. SC Justice Mansoor Ali Shah while highlighting that Pakistan was the only country with a judiciary-led panel noted that the Global Judges Network also recognised this unprecedented participation, acknowledging the importance of judicial perspectives in addressing climate challenges.

Justice Shah congratulated Ms Romina for leading a historic delegation of judges to the global climate summit. He emphasised the intersection of climate justice and human rights, framing it as a crucial lens for addressing environmental crises. Pollution-related cases were historically handled through penal actions in courts but we are witnessing a paradigm shift. Climate justice is no longer just about visible polluters but encompasses broader systemic issues, including extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and glacial melts," he stated.

He noted that COP29 underscored the urgency of climate finance as an essential pillar of climate justice. Climate finance is not just a policy goal, it is a human right tied directly to the right to life. Loss and damage demand quick access to funds, while adaptation remains a slower process, he said, adding that the global discourse on climate finance remains confined to superficial discussions.

He proposed the development of Climate Alternate Dispute Resolution Centres and specialised Climate Courts in Pakistan to tackle emerging conflicts stemming from climate change impacts.

Justice Shah emphasised that Earth should not be seen as a commodity for exploitation but as a community to which humanity belongs. We must redefine our approach to environmental stewardship and move towards reparative justice that addresses the historical injustices of climate degradation, he said.