Climate Change Impacts in Pakistan: Disease, Malnutrition, and Poverty

Explore how climate change impacts intensify disease, malnutrition, and poverty in Pakistan, and how innovative solutions are shaping climate-resilient communities.

3 minutes read

Climate change impacts are intensifying disease, malnutrition, and poverty across Pakistan, creating urgent public health and development challenges. From rising temperatures to erratic monsoons, the country faces a multifaceted crisis affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately. Experts agree that integrating climate adaptation into urban and rural planning is critical to mitigating these consequences.

AKU IGHD Annual Conference: Leading the Dialogue

The Aga Khan University’s Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) hosted its Annual Conference on Climate Change and the Built Environment to address these pressing challenges. The event brought together Pakistan’s leading architects, planners, public health experts, development specialists, and government representatives. Under the theme “Climate Change and the Built Environment: Promoting Resilience & Adaptation in Low-Income Settings,” the conference focused on evidence-based solutions and innovative approaches to build climate-resilient communities.

His Highness the Aga Khan’s Statement on Climate Threats

His Highness the Aga Khan emphasized that climate change is one of the greatest threat multipliers of our era. He highlighted that climate change impacts intensify disease, malnutrition, displacement, learning loss, and poverty. Vulnerable populations, including women, children, older adults, and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected. His Highness stressed that addressing climate challenges is essential for equity, stability, and sustainable development, advocating for strong partnerships across the globe.

Government and International Collaboration for Climate Resilience

Chief Guest His Excellency Tariq Khan, High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, highlighted Canada’s support in helping countries like Pakistan confront climate-driven vulnerabilities. He emphasized that the conference’s collaborative dialogue can shape a more sustainable future for millions.

Honourable Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, underscored Pakistan’s national urgency for climate adaptation. He stated that building resilience is a national development priority and stressed that conferences like this help translate research into actionable policies for safer, inclusive, and climate-adaptive environments.

Keynote Highlights: Climate-Smart Architecture and Indigenous Solutions

The conference featured insightful keynote presentations by Professor Sajida Haider Vandal (THAAP), Christopher Burman and Joseph Augustine (UCL), and Dr Zahra Hussain (Laajverd). Key topics included:

Climate-smart architecture
Indigenous design approaches
Community-led adaptation innovations

These sessions highlighted the importance of contextual solutions that combine traditional knowledge with modern engineering to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience.

Rural and Urban Adaptation Strategies

A core focus of the conference was the development of climate-resilient strategies for both urban and rural settings. Experts highlighted that:

Urban areas require redesigned housing, public spaces, and infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
Rural communities need adaptive agricultural practices, flood-resistant housing, and water management solutions.

Integrating these strategies helps mitigate the effects of climate change impacts, reducing disease prevalence, malnutrition, and poverty.

Community-Led Innovations for Climate Resilience

Communities play a critical role in building climate resilience. The conference showcased innovative, locally-driven projects including:

Rainwater harvesting systems
Solar-powered community centers
Flood-resilient housing

These initiatives empower local populations, create sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen social cohesion while addressing climate change impacts.

Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems

Health experts emphasized that climate change impacts exacerbate disease burdens, including vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, and respiratory illnesses. Developing climate-resilient health systems involves:

Strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure
Implementing early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases
Enhancing community health education programs

Such strategies are essential for safeguarding vulnerable populations from climate-induced health risks.

Policy Recommendations and National Strategies

The conference concluded with a focus on actionable policy recommendations. Key points included:

Integrating climate adaptation into national development plans
Promoting cross-sectoral collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and academia
Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and technology
Encouraging community participation in climate adaptation planning
Monitoring and evaluating climate adaptation interventions to ensure effectiveness

These measures are vital to mitigating the impacts of climate change on disease, malnutrition, and poverty in Pakistan.

Conclusion: Urgency and Hope in Pakistan’s Climate Response

Climate change impacts are no longer a distant threat—they are reshaping Pakistan’s social, environmental, and economic landscape. The IGHD Annual Conference highlighted that through innovative design, community-led initiatives, and evidence-based policy, Pakistan can build resilience and reduce the burden of disease, malnutrition, and poverty.

The collaborative efforts of academia, government, and international partners signify a promising path forward. As His Highness the Aga Khan remarked, climate action is essential for equity and sustainable development. By implementing the insights and solutions presented at the conference, Pakistan can transform vulnerability into opportunity and pave the way for a climate-resilient future.