PM at COP31: Pakistan Seeks Climate Grants Instead of Loans
News Desk
ANTALYA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the international community to provide climate-vulnerable countries with financial assistance in the form of grants rather than loans, urging global leaders to increase funding for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
Addressing a summit on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, the prime minister stressed that countries bearing the brunt of climate change need timely financial support without adding to their existing debt burdens.
He called for a substantial increase in climate adaptation financing, supported by stronger public-private partnerships, to help vulnerable nations address the growing impacts of natural disasters.
Pakistan’s Climate-Related Losses
Highlighting Pakistan’s experience with climate-induced disasters, Shehbaz Sharif recalled the devastating floods of 2022, which submerged nearly one-third of the country, affected 33 million people and claimed more than 1,700 lives.
He said the disaster inflicted economic losses exceeding $30 billion, demonstrating the severe consequences of climate change for developing countries.
Referring to the flash floods that struck Buner in August 2025, the prime minister recounted the story of a young man whose wedding was scheduled just two days later when floodwaters swept through his village, turning a home filled with wedding preparations into a scene of mourning.
He said the tragedy reflected the suffering of millions of people in Pakistan and other developing countries who have contributed the least to global climate change but face some of its most devastating consequences.
Climate Change Requires Global Solidarity
Referring to his address at the United Nations four years ago, Shehbaz Sharif recalled warning that the climate crisis affecting Pakistan would not remain confined within its borders.
He said subsequent climate-related disasters around the world had reinforced the urgency of his warning.
“Climate change knows no borders; no single country can tackle it alone. Therefore, true global solidarity must be reflected in concrete, practical actions,” he said.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to Türkiye, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, First Lady Emine Erdoğan and the Turkish people, for their support to Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2010 and 2022.
He also thanked Türkiye for hosting COP31 and acknowledged Australia’s role in presiding over the negotiations.
Renewable Energy Capacity
Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to address climate change, Shehbaz Sharif said the country had added more than 20 gigawatts of solar energy capacity in just two years.
He stated that environmentally friendly energy sources now account for approximately 55 percent of Pakistan’s total energy mix.
The prime minister also highlighted developments in the nuclear energy sector, saying that he had witnessed the installation of the dome for the fifth unit of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (Chashma-5) while travelling to Antalya.
Once completed and operational, the project is expected to generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity without direct carbon emissions during operation.
He added that Pakistan was also making progress in electric transportation and had set a target of reducing projected carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2035.
COP31 Must Deliver Concrete Results
Emphasising the need for practical outcomes, the prime minister urged world leaders to translate their climate commitments into measurable action.
He said the success of COP31 should not be judged merely by the promises made at the conference, but by the number of families protected from climate-related disasters, the financial resources delivered to vulnerable countries and the implementation of sustainable measures to safeguard the planet.
Water Must Not Be Used as a Weapon
Addressing the issue of water security, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that water should never be used as a weapon and that no country should be allowed to endanger the lives and livelihoods of populations living downstream.
He also called for the full and faithful implementation of agreements governing water distribution, emphasising the importance of protecting the rights and interests of downstream communities.
