Pakistan’s Climate Crisis: Deadly Floods Reveal Deep Injustice in Global Green Financing
Pakistan’s climate crisis has intensified as deadly floods claim lives and infrastructure. Explore how global climate injustice and unfair green financing are worsening Pakistan’s suffering.
The Pakistan Climate Crisis has taken a deadly turn in July 2025. Record-breaking monsoon rains have triggered floods in Punjab and KP, washing away homes, destroying infrastructure, and displacing thousands. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports at least 32 confirmed fatalities, with emergency services overstretched.
This year’s flooding mirrors the catastrophic 2022 floods, which submerged one-third of Pakistan, affected 33 million people, and caused economic damages exceeding $14.8 billion.
Glacier Melting and Rising Heat: An Escalating Threat
Pakistan is home to over 13,000 glaciers, making it the country with the most glaciers outside the polar regions. But rising global temperatures are causing rapid glacial melt, fueling glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and exacerbating water-related disasters.
Recent research indicates that Pakistan’s average temperature has increased by 1.1°C, with an alarming rise in heatwaves and water scarcity.
These impacts make the Pakistan Climate Crisis not just seasonal, but a year-round existential threat.
Climate Injustice: Pakistan Pays for Others’ Emissions
Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it remains among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries.
Musadiq Malik, Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change, recently described the situation as a “crisis of injustice.” At a press conference, he criticized the “lopsided allocation” of green financing, where rich nations that emit the most carbon receive the most support, while vulnerable countries like Pakistan are left to suffer.
“The real problem is not just the climate—it’s the morality of global financing,” — Musadiq Malik
Weak Healthcare and Disaster Systems
According to Amnesty International, Pakistan lacks adequate healthcare, disaster preparedness, and response systems—especially in rural and flood-prone areas. This leaves children, the elderly, and people with disabilities exposed to life-threatening risks.
In the aftermath of the recent floods, thousands are without access to clean drinking water, medical aid, or temporary shelters. The Pakistan Climate Crisis is pushing these vulnerable populations to the edge.
Moral Failure of Global Climate Financing
A key element of the climate injustice is the failure of global climate finance mechanisms. While wealthy nations pledged $100 billion annually under the Paris Agreement, reports show that actual disbursements to developing nations are far less.
In 2024, only $83 billion was delivered globally, and Pakistan received a tiny fraction, despite repeated appeals after the 2022 floods. Malik emphasized that the majority of green funds are flowing to middle-income countries, leaving least developed nations with token support.
“This is not a funding gap; it’s a moral gap,” — Musadiq Malik
Urgent Call for Fair Climate Action
The time for rhetoric is over. The Pakistan Climate Crisis is a clear signal that fair climate action is not optional—it’s critical. Here are key steps global leaders must take:
Rebalance Green Financing
Prioritize countries with the highest vulnerability and lowest emissions, like Pakistan, in climate funding mechanisms.
Build Climate Resilience
Invest in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community-based disaster response.
Recognize Climate Justice
Make climate reparations a formal part of the UNFCCC negotiations to compensate vulnerable nations.
Enforce Accountability
Hold top carbon emitters legally and morally accountable for their historical emissions and delayed action.
Conclusion: A Shared Global Responsibility
The Pakistan Climate Crisis is not Pakistan’s burden alone—it is a reflection of systemic global failure. The floods are only the beginning of what unchecked climate change will bring to vulnerable regions across the world.
Pakistan’s suffering is not just environmental; it is economic, social, and political. Without urgent global cooperation, the crisis will spiral into irreversible loss for millions.
Let’s push for a climate-resilient, just, and inclusive future—starting with fair financing and honest accountability.
