Safia Ramzan
Pakistan has officially taken a step toward climate consciousness by drafting its first-ever Climate Justice Declaration—a document that seeks to redefine the nation’s relationship with the environment. It outlines a necessary path forward, one that demands transformative thinking, inclusive policies, and climate action rooted in justice. But despite this encouraging step, the government’s actions remain superficial, tokenistic, and insufficient in the face of the mounting climate crisis.
The federal budget for FY26, widely branded as Pakistan’s first “climate budget,” was expected to serve as a landmark shift in national priorities. Instead, it has been a disappointing exercise in greenwashing—the practice of using sustainability language to cloak policies that neither promote climate resilience nor social equity.
One of the most glaring examples is the imposition of a Rs2.5 per litre carbon levy on petroleum products, marketed as a green tax. Another is the 10% import duty on solar panels, framed as a climate-friendly measure. On the surface, these moves suggest a government serious about climate policy. In reality, they shift the financial burden onto citizens—particularly the poor—while actively discouraging the use of renewable energy. These measures do little to reduce emissions, and instead, reveal a government more focused on revenue collection than genuine climate leadership.
This fiscal strategy is not only economically regressive but environmentally counterproductive. At a time when countries are offering incentives to transition toward renewable energy, Pakistan is penalizing solar imports, stifling innovation and undermining the potential of a green energy revolution. Meanwhile, coal-based power projects continue unabated, and fossil fuel consumption remains embedded in the core of national energy planning.
More troubling still is the lopsided focus of the budget. According to analysis, 87% of the so-called climate budget is directed toward mitigation projects—large-scale dams, urban infrastructure, and hydropower initiatives—while a meager 10% is reserved for adaptation. This imbalance is particularly problematic for a country ranked among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
Mitigation projects may serve long-term development, but they do little to help the millions of Pakistanis already grappling with the devastating consequences of climate change. From intense heatwaves to unpredictable floods and glacier melts, climate disasters are a lived reality, not a distant threat. The recent drowning of 18 tourists in the Swat River tragically illustrates the cost of delayed adaptation and preparedness.
Climate justice requires more than big infrastructure projects. It demands investments in people, especially those most affected by climate shocks. The government must pivot toward climate adaptation strategies that protect livelihoods, support displaced communities, and prepare vulnerable regions for the next climate emergency. This includes flood defense systems, resilient housing, drought-resistant agriculture, and early warning systems—all currently underfunded or overlooked.
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Beyond budgetary allocations, what’s also missing is a commitment to transparency and scientific integrity. Climate decisions should be informed by independent scientific assessments, not political convenience. The government must institutionalize evidence-based climate governance, ensure decisions undergo public scrutiny, and establish accountability mechanisms for implementation.
Equally important is the need to prioritize local solutions over imported models. Pakistan’s diverse ecosystems and communities have centuries of knowledge in sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, and water management. Unfortunately, these indigenous practices are often ignored in favor of foreign frameworks that may not be locally viable. The government should actively invest in community-led initiatives and elevate grassroots voices in national climate planning.
One urgent step the government must not delay is the establishment of the promised National Climate Authority. Announced in earlier policy discussions, the authority was meant to act as the central agency coordinating Pakistan’s climate strategy. Its absence reflects the inertia that continues to paralyze climate governance in the country. Without such institutional support, policy fragmentation and inefficiency will persist.
In addition, the government must provide sustained financial and technical support to key sectors such as forests, agriculture, and water management. These sectors are not only central to Pakistan’s climate vulnerability, but also hold the key to long-term resilience. Support must also extend to climate-vulnerable populations—farmers, fisherfolk, and rural women—who face the brunt of climate change but are often excluded from policy discourse.
Parliament has a crucial role to play. It must take the Climate Justice Declaration seriously—review it, debate it, and translate it into binding legislation. Symbolic declarations and budget lines mean little unless backed by enforceable laws and actionable timelines. Climate justice requires laws that don’t just look good on paper, but deliver real protection and empowerment to people on the ground.
Ultimately, the fight against climate change is not just an environmental imperative—it is a social and moral one. Climate justice demands that we acknowledge existing inequalities and actively work to correct them. It asks for policies that protect not just future generations, but the millions already suffering today due to environmental neglect and governance failures.
The Climate Justice Declaration provides a much-needed vision. But vision alone is not enough. It must be matched by political will, institutional action, and financial commitment. The government must rise beyond symbolism and perform the hard task of governance—by implementing real reforms, prioritizing the vulnerable, and leading from the front.
In this defining moment, Pakistan stands at a crossroads. One path leads to deeper climate chaos, masked by token gestures and cosmetic budgets. The other leads to resilience, equity, and a greener future. The choice, and the responsibility, lie with those in power.
