Any climate budget 'change' for Pakistan in FY25?

As Pakistan approaches its fiscal year 2024-25 budget, the need for a robust and well-funded climate change strategy has become increasingly urgent. Despite some recognition of the looming threat posed by climate change, the country's infrastructure and financial capacity to implement necessary preventive measures remain insufficient.

### Current Climate Change Context and Historical Challenges

Pakistan has been significantly affected by climate change, suffering from intense weather events such as the devastating floods of 2022. These floods displaced millions, caused thousands of casualties, and inflicted damages exceeding $30 billion. Despite Pakistan's negligible contribution to global carbon emissions (less than 1%), it faces severe repercussions, emphasizing the global inequity in climate change impacts.

### Financial and Political Hurdles

In the past, Pakistan's climate change budget has been limited and plagued by transparency issues. For instance, last year's budget allocated approximately $1.3 billion for climate change measures, but it remains unclear how much of this funding was effectively utilized. The country's high debt-to-GDP ratio and significant debt servicing obligations further constrain its ability to invest in climate resilience and recovery.

### Expert Recommendations

1. **Enhanced Funding and Transparency**: Experts suggest that Pakistan needs to significantly increase its climate adaptation and mitigation funding. This includes investments in renewable energy, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and enhancing institutional capacity to effectively implement and monitor climate policies.

2. **International Climate Finance**: There is a call for more substantial and binding commitments from developed countries. Much of the current climate financing comes as loans, adding to Pakistan's debt burden. Experts argue for grants or low-interest loans with clear timelines and accountability to help vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

3. **Community Engagement and Education**: Strengthening grassroots involvement, especially among youth, is crucial for sustained climate action. Integrating climate considerations into all aspects of policymaking and fostering community-driven initiatives can ensure long-term resilience.

4. **Political Will and Long-Term Planning**: While there have been some positive initiatives, such as the Billion Tree Tsunami project, a more consistent and proactive political commitment is needed. This involves moving from crisis-driven responses to comprehensive, long-term strategies that build adaptive capacity and resilience.

### Future Budget Considerations

The upcoming budget for FY25 will be a critical indicator of Pakistan's commitment to addressing climate change. Given the scale of the challenge, the government needs to allocate significant resources towards climate resilience. This includes ensuring transparency in fund utilization and fostering collaborative efforts across political and community lines to build a sustainable and resilient future.

### Conclusion

Pakistan's battle against climate change requires a multi-faceted approach, integrating enhanced funding, political commitment, community engagement, and international support. The fiscal year 2024-25 budget will be a litmus test for the government's dedication to these goals, necessitating a strategic vision that looks beyond immediate relief towards long-term sustainability and resilience.