Pakistan Highlights Apocalyptic Climate Change Impacts at ICJ
APP
Islamabad: Pakistan has highlighted the devastating consequences of climate change on its population and economy at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with a focus on the catastrophic 2022 floods.
These floods submerged one-third of the country, affected 33 million people, and led to reconstruction costs exceeding $16 billion.
Attorney General Mansoor Awan represented Pakistan at the ICJ, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on the nation, despite contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Citing the UN Secretary-General’s 2022 address, Awan noted that Pakistan’s people are 15 times more likely to face death from climate-related disasters than other nations.
Pakistan presented three key points at the ICJ: First, the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC is the primary framework for addressing climate obligations.
Second, climate obligations should align with the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and should include provisions for climate finance, mitigation, and cooperation.
Lastly, Pakistan argued that disputes over treaty obligations should be resolved through mechanisms established within those treaties.
Additionally, Pakistan stressed the obligation of prevention, which is part of international law and operates alongside treaty obligations.
The country pointed to several international conventions, such as the UNFCCC, the Vienna Convention, and others, to support its argument that the prevention of climate harm, including GHG emissions, is a global responsibility.
Pakistan rejected claims that the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement override stricter general international law obligations. They underscored that once a state has knowledge of the harmful effects of its activities, such as GHG emissions, it must act to prevent harm, and ignorance is not an excuse.
Concluding their presentation, Pakistan’s representatives reminded the ICJ that “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and undoubtedly the last generation that can do something about it.”
