Experts call for climate justice, localised action

Islamabad: Experts from humanitarian agencies, research institutes and international organisations during a discussion here Tuesday said that climate justice for vulnerable nations like Pakistan required both global accountability and stronger community-owned systems at home.

They said climate finance must move from pledges to practice as Pakistan faces escalating climate shocks.

The event was organised by Secours Islamique France Mission Pakistan ahead of international climate conference COP30's conclusion.

Dr Altaf Abro, Head of Mission SIF Pakistan, said Pakistan was among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, confronting heat waves, droughts, floods and wildfires at a pace faster than global negotiations.

He said the global South needed a clean and just energy transition, along with fair access to adaptation finance, as farmers lost livelihoods and children lost future opportunities.

"The loss and damage fund has only 300 million dollars with no clear protocol on disbursement, while major emitters India, China and the United States are not part of COP30," he said. Thomas Canon, Deputy Country Director WFP Pakistan, said COPs were defined by hopes and disappointments but Pakistan could still secure meaningful climate finance.

“Ensuring transparency in financing frameworks is essential so funds reach communities to build resilience, improve infrastructure and strengthen social protection,” he said.

Syed Javed Gillani, Executive Director Muslim Hands, said COP gatherings risked becoming talking platforms unless they created tangible relief for affected nations.

He said Pakistan must pitch its projects strategically and adopt a locally owned climate adaptation system driven by communities and NGOs. Dr Anjum Rasheed, head of Climate Resilience Programme at IRS, said in Pakistan, disasters were fuelling poverty and displacing communities, while urban centres suffered from poor planning as seen in flooding incidents in Islamabad’s E-11 and along the Ravi River.

“There should be stronger local governments, evidence-based policymaking and public climate awareness including early warning systems and telecom-based alert messages,” she said.

Raza Narejo, Deputy Country Director Islamic Relief Pakistan, emphasised local preparedness over reliance on global aid and highlighted the need for universities to generate quality research to guide policy.

“Communities must be better informed about climate risks,” he said.

Raza Hussain Qazi, Communication and Advocacy Manager SIF Pakistan, said localised public-private partnerships offered a promising pathway for climate adaptation and mitigation as Pakistan sought climate justice on both international and national fronts.