Published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), this special edition of Climate and Development Outlook focuses on Pakistan and work in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Drawing from CDKN work in partnership with the Pakistani government and others, this issues brief specifically addresses the need for insurance instruments for farmers to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters; the country’s capacity for emissions reduction; the fragile food, water, and energy nexus; renewable energy; and Pakistan’s increasing role in international climate negotiations. The opening section of the brief uses the experiences of fish farmers in Southern Punjab to highlight the desperate need for insurance mechanisms to be accessible to all. Changing climate, including the earlier onset of wind and rains and more severe extreme flood events, is increasing the risk to livelihoods and food security.
In 2010, a particularly devastating flood destroyed businesses and plunged owners into a poverty trap. Such was the impact that 20 million people were displaced, yet hazard coverage was largely confined to large-scale commercial and industrial properties. CDKN has worked with the government to identify and design risk transfer mechanisms, such as a National Disaster Insurance Fund, to deliver assistance to households, farmers, and businesses. The next section focuses on the need to begin implementing emissions reductions now, before the expected exponential growth of the country’s carbon footprint. The authors suggest that an updated and reliable greenhouse emissions inventory be conducted (the last inventory was for 1993-94), which would complement the work CDKN has done on establishing baselines and low-carbon scenarios for energy, transport, industry, forestry, agriculture, and waste sectors. Looking ahead, Pakistan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) will be submitted to the UNFCCC; given the country’s low emitter status, it is likely that this will focus primarily on adaptation.
Over the final three sections, the brief outlines more examples of CDKN’s work with multiple partners in Pakistan, including: support for the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reform to identify policy recommendations for water, food, and energy sectors, each of which are of existential importance; support for the Ministry of Climate Change and the Punjab Power Development Board to find renewable energy solutions for industry in Sialkot, through a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA); and supporting the Ministry of Climate Change in the process of developing Pakistan’s INDC.