LAHORE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

ENVIROMENTAL POLICIES REPORT

BBA – III Marketing and Finance

SECTION A

Climate change in Pakistan

Submitted by:

Hamza Hassan

Muhammad Subhan

Nabeeha Ayaz

Syed Hasnain

Yumna Afzal
Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
 Abstract

Climate change, a global phenomenon, with regional and national impact, has emerged as a
significant challenge which has contributed to the destruction of economies and human life.
Pakistan, a country with low income and poor human development indicators, has been severely
impacted extreme climate change related events. The Ministry of Climate Change formulated a
national policy in 2012 to make Pakistan a climate change resilient country and outlined different
areas of policy action. Concurrently, different international and national initiatives are
consistently being executed to enhance awareness of the effects of climate change. This paper
aims to contribute towards analyzing the impact of climate change on the country, the policies
being implemented to counter it, and suggest a way forward for Pakistan.
 Introduction

What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate. The climate change
phenomenon includes seasonal changes over a long period with respect to the growing
accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Tackling this phenomenon in Pakistan is of
utmost importance given the pivotal role that climate plays in the formation of natural
ecosystems and the human economies and civilizations on which they are based.

Climate Change in Pakistan

Recent studies in the country have shown that human activities since the Partition era –
manifested in fossil fuel consumption for power generation, land deforestation for agriculture,
and urban expansion – have contributed to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere by as much as 40%, from about 280 parts per million in the pre-industrial period,
to 402 parts per million in 2016, which in turn has led to global warming.

Several parts of the world have already experienced the warming of coastal waters, high
temperatures, a marked change in rainfall patterns, and an increased intensity and frequency of
storms. Rising sea levels and temperatures are expected to be an increasing trend. Moreover, the
potential for severe and irreversible climate and environmental changes is probable for Pakistan
by the next 50 years. The failure to address climate change will inevitably undermine both the
Country’s economic and social stability. Millions of people are already suffering from the
catastrophic effects of extreme disasters exacerbated by climate change in all four Provinces of
Pakistan.

While we largely understand climate change through the impacts it will have on our natural
world, it is the devastation that it is causing and will continue to cause for humanity that makes it
an urgent human rights issue. The effects of Climate Change will continue to grow and worsen
over time, creating ruin for current and future generations. This is why the failure of the
Pakistani government to act on climate change in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence is
threating to the survival of the Nation.
Moreover, this current period of warming is occurring more rapidly than any past events. It has
become clear that humanity has caused most of the last century’s warming, but Climate change
involves not only rising temperatures, but also extreme weather events, rising sea levels, shifting
wildlife populations and habitats, and a range of other impacts.

Though the Pakistan’s contribution to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions is miniscule as

compared to other countries i.e., only 0.8 per cent of the total GHG emissions, yet it is one of the
major victims of climate change effects. A comprehensive policy regarding adoption of
mitigation strategies to combat climate change is very crucial for Pakistan.