Powerful Training Empowers Journalists in Pakistan for Effective Climate Reporting

Islamabad: Global Neighbourhood For Media Innovation (GNMI), in collaboration with the Environmental Journalists Forum (EJF) and with the support of UNESCO, organized a stimulating and sensitization session titled “Empowering Journalists for Climate Action”. The session focused on fortifying climate reporting in Pakistan, equipping journalists with investigative tools to strengthen media’s role in tackling the worsening climate crisis.

At the conclusion, GNMI President Ms. Najia Ashar awarded certificates among the participants, recognizing their efforts to build journalistic capacity in responsible climate communication.

Why Climate Reporting Matters in Pakistan

Climate Reporting in Pakistan has never been more urgent. The country faces devastating floods, glacial melts, recurring heatwaves, and prolonged droughts—all intensified by climate change.

• In 2022, floods submerged one-third of the country, displacing millions.
• In 2024, extreme weather again battered communities in Sindh and Balochistan.

Despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, Pakistan ranks among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations (UNDP).

Without effective climate journalism, these events are often framed as one-off disasters rather than symptoms of systemic issues like deforestation, water mismanagement, and global warming. Good journalism bridges the gap, linking local tragedies to global climate policy.

Current Gaps in Climate Journalism

Despite scattered progress, climate reporting in Pakistan remains weak compared to political and crime coverage. Mainstream outlets rarely dedicate resources to investigative climate stories.

Key Challenges:

• Lack of expertise: Journalists often lack training in environmental science.
• Budget constraints: Newsrooms avoid allocating climate beats.
• Complexity: Climate is a technical subject requiring careful interpretation.
• Language barriers: Research is often in English, while news consumption is primarily in Urdu or regional languages.

This results in reactive coverage, focusing on visuals of destruction rather than deep-rooted causes or policy failures.

Capacity Building: A Game Changer

The GNMI–UNESCO–EJF training demonstrated why capacity building in climate journalism is critical. Workshops, fellowships, and newsroom reforms can transform the quality of reporting.

Benefits of journalist training:

1. Public awareness: Reporting connects climate to livelihoods, health, and food security.
2. Accountability: Media can hold government accountable for climate funds and mismanagement.
3. Bridging narratives: Trained journalists link local stories to global platforms like COP summits.
4. Fighting misinformation: Reporters counter false claims with fact-based stories.

Recent Efforts to Strengthen Climate Journalism

Several organizations in Pakistan have taken initiatives:

• Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Internews organize regular workshops.
• Universities are slowly introducing environmental journalism modules.
• Some news outlets are experimenting with dedicated climate desks.

However, most initiatives remain fragmented. Many journalists who attend workshops lack editorial support in their newsrooms to apply their new skills.

GNMI’s training is unique because it combined practical tools, investigative strategies, and recognition for journalists—ensuring they are motivated to continue their climate reporting journey.

The Way Forward for Pakistan’s Media

To fortify climate reporting in Pakistan, structural reforms are needed.

Recommendations:

• Institutionalize Climate Desks: Every major newsroom should have a dedicated climate desk.
• Expand Training Programs: Journalism schools must make climate modules mandatory.
• Promote Collaborations: Media, NGOs, and scientists should work together for accurate reporting.
• Focus on Multilingual Content: Urdu and regional language content ensures broader outreach.
• Support Investigative Journalism: Donors and media partners must fund long-form reporting on adaptation, water governance, and renewable energy.

Such measures will transform climate coverage from reactive disaster reporting into proactive climate accountability journalism.

Conclusion

As Pakistan braces for intensifying climate threats, climate reporting in Pakistan is not optional—it is essential. Journalists must be equipped with the tools, resources, and editorial space to highlight the crisis as the defining issue of our time.

GNMI’s collaboration with UNESCO and EJF sets a powerful precedent, empowering journalists to turn climate awareness into action. By investing in training and newsroom reforms, Pakistan can ensure that climate coverage drives public awareness, accountability, and international solidarity.

Climate journalism is not just about reporting—it is about survival.

• External DoFollow Links:
• UNDP Climate Vulnerability Index
• UNESCO Climate Initiatives