South Asia Faces Growing Climate Threats 

News Desk

Islamabad: South Asia is emerging as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with experts warning that rising temperatures, water shortages, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are already affecting millions of lives.

Climate specialists made these observations during a hybrid seminar in Islamabad titled “Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: IPCC Working Group-II Report 2022 Lessons and Way Forward for South Asia,” organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

Experts highlighted that the impacts of climate change are no longer future concerns but are already visible across the region, affecting agriculture, health, water resources, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Dr Abid Hussain, Senior Economist and Food Systems Specialist at ICIMOD Nepal, said the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report are highly relevant for South Asia, particularly due to the region’s diverse landscapes and dependence on natural resources.

He pointed out that a significant portion of Pakistan consists of mountainous areas, making the protection of mountain ecosystems crucial. He also highlighted the importance of addressing gender-related challenges linked with climate impacts.

Climate scientist Dr Fahad Saeed said the IPCC report identifies South Asia as a major climate hotspot, with water becoming one of the most affected resources. He noted that changing climate patterns are already impacting mountain communities, coastal ecosystems, and urban populations.

According to experts, shrinking glaciers, damage to mangrove areas, rising urban heat waves, declining food security, and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases such as dengue and malaria are among the growing challenges facing the region.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said the latest IPCC assessment requires governments, researchers, and policymakers to reassess the scale of climate risks. He noted that South Asia’s vulnerability has been highlighted more strongly than ever, with climate change affecting almost every aspect of human life.

Climate Action Network South Asia Director Sanjay Vashisht said the region must now focus on adaptation strategies and managing climate-related losses, as many communities are already experiencing severe consequences. He warned that climate change could push millions more people into poverty by increasing economic and social pressures.

Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change Chief Executive Aisha Khan stressed the need to integrate climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, urging countries to work together rather than pursue isolated solutions.

Experts also called for immediate attention to cross-border challenges, including air pollution, water management, and clean energy transition. WWF Pakistan Director Dr Imran Khalid said regional cooperation on shared environmental issues was essential for long-term resilience.

SDPI Research Fellow Dr Hina Aslam highlighted that energy systems would play a central role in climate adaptation, noting that changing climate patterns are already affecting hydropower generation and cooling water requirements.

The seminar concluded that South Asian countries need stronger cooperation, better planning, and accelerated climate action to reduce risks and protect vulnerable communities from the growing impacts of climate change.