Pakistan Needs Climate Plan Beyond Tree Planting: Sherry

News Desk

Islamabad: Federal Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman has warned that Pakistan faces growing environmental and public health challenges and called for a comprehensive climate strategy focused on pollution control, water security, energy reforms and public awareness.

Speaking after assuming charge of the ministry, Sherry said climate change had become a critical national issue, particularly for developing countries like Pakistan, which remains among the nations most vulnerable to climate-related impacts despite contributing a small share of global emissions.

She said Pakistan’s climate response must move beyond tree plantation campaigns and include coordinated policies addressing air pollution, water shortages, waste management and energy conservation.

“The climate challenge requires a policy roadmap beyond planting trees,” she said, adding that public awareness and community participation would be essential for effective action.

The minister announced that she would present a new climate change policy before the federal cabinet and push for the establishment of a climate change council within 100 days to improve coordination between the federation and provinces.

Highlighting the scale of the environmental crisis, Sherry said around 80 percent of Pakistan’s urban population lacks access to clean drinking water, while air pollution continues to pose a serious threat to public health.

She pointed out that thousands of Pakistanis die annually due to exposure to polluted air, with children among the most vulnerable groups. According to her, one in 10 deaths among children under five is linked to air pollution.

She said Pakistan’s cities regularly experience dangerous levels of smog and particulate pollution, caused by emissions from transport, industries, and other sources.

Water Crisis Among Top Priorities

Discussing water shortages, the minister said Pakistan’s dependence on the Indus River system made the country highly sensitive to climate change impacts, including floods and declining water availability.

She noted that the country’s agriculture sector relies heavily on water resources, with major crops including wheat, rice, cotton and sugarcane requiring significant water supplies.

Sherry said Pakistan has faced water stress for decades and warned that climate change could further intensify the crisis unless immediate measures are taken.

Energy Reforms Needed

The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s dependence on fossil fuels, saying the country generates a large portion of its energy from conventional sources while renewable energy remains limited.

She called for improved energy conservation measures and greater investment in cleaner energy alternatives to reduce environmental damage and strengthen energy security.

Climate Action Requires Public Participation

Sherry criticised previous approaches that focused mainly on tree plantation initiatives, saying climate policy must address multiple challenges simultaneously.

She said environmental degradation, rising temperatures, water insecurity and pollution were creating economic and social risks for Pakistan and required urgent policy intervention.

The minister stressed that climate change was not only an environmental issue but also a challenge linked to public health, economic stability and national security.

She added that the government’s upcoming climate framework would aim to create stronger coordination, improve awareness and develop practical solutions to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change.