Pakistan Demands Urgent Climate Finance at COP30

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan has renewed its call for urgent, predictable, and equitable climate finance, enhanced technology transfer, and stronger international cooperation to support climate-vulnerable countries, during a series of high-level side events organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) at the UN Climate Summit (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.

The sessions, addressed by Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Minister of State Shezra Mansab Kharal, and MoCC&EC Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani, brought together negotiators, global agencies, scientific institutions, and civil society representatives.

MoCC&EC spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh told APP that the events provided a platform to highlight Pakistan’s climate vulnerabilities, adaptation priorities, and ongoing initiatives, while strengthening the country’s diplomatic voice on climate justice and governance reforms.

Secretary Moriani emphasized that Pakistan’s pavilion had become a focal point for discussions on the adaptation needs of developing nations and the importance of support systems tailored to “the realities of those most at risk.” She highlighted practical solutions showcased by Pakistan, including early warning systems, watershed rehabilitation, vocational upskilling, and climate-smart transitions.

At a session on “Cryosphere Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction,” Pakistan warned that accelerating glacial melt in the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya region posed mounting risks to rural communities, infrastructure, agriculture, and the economy.

Senator Malik noted that despite contributing less than one per cent of global emissions, Pakistan faced severe climate impacts, including glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and hydrological disruptions. He called for the creation of dedicated disaster-risk financing windows, particularly anticipatory financing, to prepare communities before climate shocks escalate.

Minister Kharal urged the establishment of a regional scientific cooperation platform for high-mountain risk assessment, emphasizing satellite monitoring, climate modeling, and improved early-warning systems. She stressed that adaptation must be funded at the same scale as climate losses.

Experts at the summit agreed that cryosphere research remained severely underfunded and highlighted the need for predictable, long-term financing to support disaster-proof infrastructure, watershed restoration, and nature-based solutions.

A separate dialogue on “Building Green Skills for a Climate-Compatible Pakistan” focused on preparing the workforce for the transition to renewable energy, circular production, electric mobility, and climate-smart agriculture. Senator Malik warned that without investment in green skills, Pakistan risked losing market access as international trade rules increasingly favored low-carbon standards.

Minister Kharal stressed that green skills development must be inclusive, especially for women, youth, and vulnerable communities, and urged donors to shift support from short-term projects to long-term national training systems.

During a session on climate finance, Pakistan reiterated that ambitious climate action remained impossible unless developed countries delivered on their Paris Agreement commitments. Senator Malik called for moving climate finance from “promises to predictable disbursements,” with simplified access and rapid deployment for disaster-prone developing nations. He also urged that the Loss and Damage Fund be fully capitalized, providing grants and concessional finance rather than loans that exacerbate debt burdens.

Minister Kharal highlighted the need for the global finance system to fairly value resilience and ecosystem services, emphasizing that countries protecting forests, watersheds, and biodiversity should not be economically penalized.

International participants praised Pakistan’s active engagement at COP30, noting its growing role as an advocate for equity-based climate governance and reform of international finance frameworks. They also called for greater regional cooperation in South Asia and urged developed countries to honor their climate commitments.

Pakistan’s delegation stressed that while the country remained committed to reducing emissions and strengthening resilience, a just transition required sustained partnerships, financing, and access to technology to ensure development without compromising economic growth.