‘Climate change is not tomorrow’s threat, it is today’s crisis’

Islamabad:Dr Nadeem Javaid, Vice-Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), has said that climate change is not tomorrow’s threat — it is today’s crisis.

Dr Javaid was giving remarks at the unveiling ceremony here of Asian Infrastructure Finance 2025 Report under the theme “Infrastructure for Planetary Health” by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Dr Javaid said the 2022 floods were a national catastrophe with $32 billion losses, two decades of development washed away and over six million pushed into poverty. He emphasised that environmental degradation, inadequate water storage, and climate-vulnerable agriculture are compounding risks that must be addressed through collective action and long-term planning.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said that we must build infrastructure that does not just deliver growth but ensures survival. He outlined the government’s bold steps under the 5Es framework, including the deployment of zero-emission electric buses, restoration of flood-prone riverbanks and climate-proofing healthcare facilities.

Calling for a paradigm shift, he underscored that at Planning Commission no project is now cleared unless it fully incorporates climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and updated building codes. This is our new standard,” he stated. The cost of inaction whether through lives lost, health crises or economic setbacks is far greater than the investment required for green, future-proof solutions.

To close the climate finance gap, Mr Iqbal advocated the use of green bonds, resilience bonds, and public-private partnerships, stressing the importance of mobilising both domestic and international capital.