As the UN climate negotiations unfold in Baku, Azerbaijan, the reality of climate change can sometimes get lost in political debates.
Yet, for many nations like Pakistan, the consequences of climate inaction are dire.
Sherry Rehman, former climate change minister of Pakistan, emphasizes that these negotiations are a matter of life and death for vulnerable countries.
In 2022, Pakistan was devastated by unprecedented flash floods, which submerged a third of the country and affected 33 million people.
The destruction of infrastructure, roads, crops, and water systems left millions reliant on unsafe water sources.
The tragedy underscored the urgent need for climate finance to help countries like Pakistan build resilience against such disasters.
One of the key goals for COP29 negotiators is to increase climate finance, particularly for nations like Pakistan.
Rehman calls for expanded investments in resilient housing, where every $1 spent could generate $4 in long-term benefits.
Rehman calls for grants, not loans, to support climate adaptation and avoid further debt.Additionally, Pakistan requires technical support to manage decarbonization and adaptation plans, and funding to support its solar energy transition, which is currently straining consumers.
As climate vulnerability intensifies in Pakistan, the global community has failed to transition away from fossil fuels. Despite promises, carbon emissions continue to rise.
Rehman advocates for a new UN framework that includes “internationally determined contributions” from wealthy nations, ensuring their climate actions align with the needs of the most affected countries.
The gap between what developing nations need and what is pledged remains vast.
Pakistan, alongside other vulnerable nations, faces a challenging road ahead, as the need for $1 trillion annually in climate finance by 2030 grows increasingly urgent.
Rehman warns that relying on the private sector to fund climate adaptation—where profits are often low—could hinder meaningful progress.
She stresses that climate finance must be in grants, not loans, to avoid exacerbating debt burdens.
The current bureaucratic barriers delay crucial funding, leaving countries to face increasingly irreversible damage.
For Rehman, the message is clear: “What’s happening to us will happen to you tomorrow.” The time for action is now.