The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the United Nations COP-27 conference earlier this month as a co-chair alongside the Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in order to discuss the ever-present and increasingly dangerous climate crises and global warming. The conference went on from November 6th to November 8th and saw the co-chair Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take very a vocal stance on several issues at hand. He stressed that the countries that are affected by the climate change catastrophes are not to be left to fend for themselves but that it is the duty of the global network to provide help and funds for the reconstruction and aid of these countries and its people. The issue that he presented at the forefront of it all was the devastating floods that hit Pakistan earlier this year and cost the country a great deal of damage.
“At High-Level Segment of #COP27, I presented flood devastation in Pakistan as an example of what climate change can do to a country. I drew the attention of the global leaders to the need for bridging massive financing gaps, inclusion of loss & damage in the agenda.” (Twitter, 8th November 2022).
Regarding this devastating flood situation in the country, the PM addressed the developed nations by saying that it had affected around 33 million people, which makes up around the same number as the population of 3 European countries, with the majority of the people affected being already at-risk individuals like women, the elderly, and children. The Prime Minister also highlighted the infrastructural damage that the climate catastrophe brought onto the country including destruction of railway tracks, highways, and other commercial or residential buildings especially in the rural areas.
“The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment estimates over $30 billion in loss and damage.”
Despite such a heavy loss being incurred by the government of Pakistan, the global world has not been very cooperative in helping out financially. The grants offered to the State of Pakistan have not even been enough to make up for 1/5th of the lost amount. Coupled to this is the fact that in times of economic, political, and social strife the government has been forced to allocate most of its resources towards providing the affected peoples with the basic necessities of life which has also dented the federal reserve quite heavily.
“He said that Pakistan suffered the manmade disaster despite less than one percent contribution to the carbon footprint, adding that amid these disastrous conditions, flood-hit Pakistan had to import wheat, palm oil, and “very expensive” oil and gas spending around $32 billion.” (DAWN, 8th November 2022).
It is increasingly visible that Pakistan is one of the most at-risk and affected countries by the global warming and climate change conditions, even though it contributes less than one percent to the overall carbon and CFC emissions in the overall atmosphere. Despite this, it is hit with smog, pollution, weather changes, lack of rain, melting glaciers, as well as many other manmade climate disasters every year. The flood situation in the middle part of this year is a good example of just this kind of risk that the country faces. The Prime Minister urged the global north to aid the developing countries and stressed that it is quite impossible for economically disadvantaged countries to deal with the after-effects of climate disasters on their own or with debt/loan payments disguised as aid. He also said that it is quite unfair for developed nations to take a backseat when the less industrially developed countries are hit with the consequences of the damaging actions of the developed nations and it is up to them to provide a generous helping hand that does not ask for that debt back once the damaged nation starts to rebuild.
“The premier highlighted that Pakistan’s post-disaster needs assessment has shown that its journey to recovery and rehabilitation can be held back by public debt, rising international energy and food prices and lack of access to adaption funds” (GEO News, 6th November 2022).
It is clear that economically not well to do countries would have their hands full with recovery and rehabilitation in the aftermath of such devastating events and would be at their wits’ end. Keeping this in mind, giving out loans and debt repayments instead of helping out is more than a disservice, it’s a transgression. The Prime Minister urged that Pakistan needs “funds, not debt” to rebuild and reconstruct their dilapidated economy and infrastructure.
“Meanwhile, Guterres urged international financial institutions like the World Bank and leaders at the upcoming G20 summit in Indonesia to reform policies that govern debt relief and concessional loan decisions so as to help middle-income countries like Pakistan focus on rebuilding rather than repayment.” (DAWN, 7th November 2022).
The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude for several countries in helping them during the catastrophic flood conditions in both monetary ways and through providing resources and basic necessities. He also thanked the European countries for helping to remove Pakistan from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list and also advocated for better bilateral relations with the European Union. He also thanked the EU member countries in their actions and roles towards helping and bringing to light the flood conditions in the country of Pakistan. The PM also visited representatives of several countries that were present at the conference and expressed wishes to create a better atmosphere of cooperation and fidelity. The PM also stressed that this conference may prove to be a milestone in combating climate change and advocating for climate justice. He also stressed that we must all do our due part in reducing the effects of climate change and work together.
“Former US vice president Al Gore, also speaking at the event, said global leaders have a credibility problem when it comes to climate change. He criticised developed nations’ ongoing pursuit of gas resources in Africa, which he described as “fossil fuel colonialism. We must see the so-called ‘dash for gas’ for what it really is: a dash down a bridge to nowhere, leaving the countries of the world facing climate chaos and billions in stranded assets, especially here in Africa,” he said.” (DAWN, 7th November 2022).
The writer is currently studying at International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI).
