Pakistan’s Climate Imperative: 7 Bold Actions to Tackle the 2025 Heat Crisis

Pakistan’s Climate Imperative becomes urgent as global scientists warn that 2025 may be the hottest year in recorded history. But this isn’t just about discomfort. The consequences of such extreme temperatures are layered and deeply destructive—especially for countries like Pakistan.

Changing rainfall patterns, rapid glacial melt, rising flood risks, and mounting pressure on agriculture and food security are just the tip of the iceberg. For a country dependent on river systems, agrarian livelihoods, and monsoon timing, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Pakistan’s Vulnerability to Climate Change

In the 2022 Climate Risk Index, Pakistan was shockingly ranked #1, confirming that it is one of the ten most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth. The country’s infrastructure, economy, and public health systems are unprepared to tackle the rapidly unfolding climate crisis.

Several factors worsen this vulnerability:

• Overpopulation in urban areas
• Inefficient infrastructure
• Agriculture-based economy
• Administrative bottlenecks

The need to understand Pakistan’s Climate Imperative has never been more critical.

A Lesson From the 2022 Floods

The 2022 super floods serve as a grim reminder of our reality. The floods:

• Affected over 33 million people
• Submerged one-third of the country
• Caused $30 billion in damages

The Pakistani government was overwhelmed. International organizations like the UN, EU, and WHO stepped in with aid, yet the lack of climate preparedness was evident.

Former Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, emphasized that we must institutionalize climate learning and integrate it into diplomacy, development, and foreign policy.

Climate Diplomacy: The Missing Link

While Pakistan has made commendable domestic strides—like:

• Elevating the Ministry of Climate Change to Cabinet Level
• Launching the Living Indus Initiative

…it still lacks climate integration in foreign policy. Traditional diplomacy continues to dominate, focusing on security and geopolitics, sidelining climate action.

Compare this with Morocco, which hosted COP22 and made green energy central to foreign policy—attracting billions in renewable investment.

Global Lessons for Pakistan

Many countries have turned climate vulnerability into opportunity by mainstreaming climate policy into international outreach:

• Bangladesh uses the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to secure international finance and shift its image.
• Vietnam integrated climate into its trade agreements, opening doors to green tech exports.
• Germany transformed its Energy Ministry into the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, aligning policies seamlessly.
• Denmark created a cross-ministerial climate council to harmonize foreign policy, development, and energy.

Pakistan must draw inspiration from these examples to elevate its own global climate presence.

7 Strategic Actions for Pakistan

To respond effectively to Pakistan’s Climate Imperative, the country must implement a bold, multi-dimensional plan:

1. Mainstream Climate in Foreign Policy

Incorporate climate as a core pillar in bilateral and multilateral relations. Every diplomatic mission should have a climate desk aligned with national goals.

2. Establish a Climate Coordination Council

Create a cross-ministerial council that includes Commerce, Finance, Environment, and Foreign Affairs to coordinate climate policy internally and externally.

3. Use COP Platforms Strategically

Follow Morocco’s lead and use COP meetings not just for pledges but as investment promotion platforms. Pakistan should bid to host a future COP summit.

4. Position as a Renewable Energy Hub

Leverage vast solar and wind potential. Develop policies that attract international investment in green infrastructure and export clean energy to neighbors.

5. Launch a Global Climate Campaign

Publicly promote a national climate brand—similar to Bangladesh’s Mujib Plan—to build soft power and secure climate adaptation funds.

6. Reform the Climate Ministry

Rebrand it as the Ministry for Climate Action and Resilience with expanded powers to collaborate across ministries and govern climate diplomacy.

7. Build Global Green Alliances

Form climate partnerships with the EU, UK, Japan, and China to facilitate climate finance, technology transfer, and expertise exchange.

Conclusion: From Climate Victim to Climate Leader

Pakistan’s Climate Imperative is not just an environmental issue—it’s a national security, economic, and diplomatic challenge. As 2025 threatens to break heat records, Pakistan must choose: remain a climate victim, or become a climate leader.

The path forward is clear. With strong political will, institutional coordination, and international alliances, Pakistan can transition from vulnerability to resilience and innovation.

In the words of Sherry Rehman, “We must institutionalize climate learning.” Let that be our call to action—for a safer, greener, and more respected Pakistan on the global stage.

External Resources:

• UN Climate Change
• Climate Risk Index 2022
• Pakistan Ministry of Climate Change

Internal Links:

• Living Indus Initiative Overview
• Pakistan Flood Relief Efforts 2022