Overwhelming Majority of Pakistanis Support Climate Change Action, Global Survey Finds

Pakistanis Support Climate Change Action—and the message is loud and clear. According to a newly released global survey commissioned by the Global Methane Hub, conducted across 17 countries including Pakistan, an overwhelming 87% of Pakistanis favor action against climate change, with over half expressing strong support. This powerful sentiment, reinforced by the devastating impacts of climate extremes in the country, signals a critical opportunity for action.

Key Findings from the International Survey

The survey, conducted in collaboration with Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), focused heavily on methane pollution—a powerful but short-lived climate pollutant. Results from Pakistan showed:

• 87% support general climate action
• 80% support efforts to reduce methane emissions
• 44% strongly support methane-specific policies
• 96% acknowledge that climate change is real
• 71% believe human activity is driving it

These findings put Pakistan in line with other climate-vulnerable nations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where awareness and demand for solutions are intensifying.

High Awareness and Concern Among Pakistanis

The survey also revealed high levels of climate literacy:

• 96% of Pakistani respondents said they believe in climate change
• 71% recognize human activities—such as emissions and deforestation—as key contributors
• Water quality ranked as the top environmental concern for 61%, followed by air quality (58%) and climate change (57%)

This reflects a population both informed and affected by climate risks, from flash floods and urban smog to prolonged droughts and food insecurity.

Methane: A Key Battleground

“Methane is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period,” says Marcelo Mena, CEO of the Global Methane Hub. “Cutting methane is one of the fastest, most effective ways to slow warming. It’s not just science—it’s a direct response to the suffering people face now.”

In Pakistan, the public’s strong support for methane action is not theoretical—it’s lived. With a large agricultural base, unmanaged organic waste, and an aging gas pipeline network, methane emissions are both significant and visible.

Sector-Wise Public Support

Pakistanis showed strong multi-sectoral support for methane mitigation strategies:

Such data reveals a clear mandate for cross-sectoral reforms, especially in urban waste collection, livestock emissions, and gas infrastructure leak detection.

Blame and Responsibility: Who Should Act?

Respondents in Pakistan did not hold back on attributing responsibility for environmental harms:

• Oil and gas companies topped the blame list
• Followed by waste management corporations and large-scale agricultural producers
• International government bodies were seen as crucial in implementing global climate policies

Interestingly, these same actors were also viewed as the most capable of solving the problem, suggesting that public trust can be earned—if action follows.

Expert Voices on the Ground

“Communities across Pakistan are already living through the harshest effects of climate change,” said Dr. Naveed Arshad, Director of the LUMS Energy Institute. “This survey is a timely wake-up call. We must begin to measure methane emissions, raise public awareness, and implement practical, sector-specific solutions.”

Dr. Arshad emphasized the role of research institutions and civil society in helping the government develop accurate climate inventories and effective policy frameworks.

Policy Implications: Time to Align with Public Will

This isn’t the first time Pakistanis have demanded action. However, this global survey adds international credibility to domestic voices calling for:

• Inclusion of methane targets in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Stricter emission regulations for agriculture and waste sectors
• Support for renewable energy, especially in off-grid rural areas
• Investment in methane capture technologies, such as biogas from manure and food waste

With public support so clearly established, policymakers can no longer afford inaction.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

The results of this landmark international survey underline a powerful truth—Pakistanis support climate change action and want leaders to act swiftly. With high awareness, clear attribution of blame, and widespread backing for methane-specific measures, the stage is set for transformative national climate policy.

As Pakistan braces for another summer of extreme heat, floods, and air pollution, the voices of its citizens grow louder. The government, private sector, and global partners must now work together to channel this support into concrete, measurable outcomes that safeguard both the planet and its people

External Resources

• Global Methane Hub
• UNEP Methane Assessment Report

Internal Links

• Pakistan’s Climate Vulnerability Report 2025
• National Adaptation Plan and Clean Air Policies