SUMMARY of the Article “Hollow Victory,” Dawn Editorial, November 26th, 2024

The recently concluded COP29 summit in Baku left developing nations, like Pakistan, feeling underwhelmed by the global response to the climate crisis. While the agreement on a $300 billion annual climate finance target by 2035 represents progress from the earlier $100 billion commitment, it falls far short of the $1.3 trillion experts estimate is needed to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. Wealthy nations have shifted the burden to private sector financing and high-emission economies like China and oil-rich states, avoiding their historical responsibility. For Pakistan, facing a staggering $348 billion climate finance gap by 2030, this lack of support undermines its mitigation and adaptation efforts. Despite economic challenges, Pakistan showcased initiatives like Recharge Pakistan and the National Climate Finance Strategy at COP29, reaffirming its commitment to addressing the climate crisis. However, these initiatives remain aspirational without substantial international funding and support. The urgency of the crisis is underscored by predictions that 2024 could become the hottest year on record, with global temperatures potentially rising by 3.1°C by the century’s end, leading to catastrophic consequences. To combat this, wealthy nations must not only fulfill their $300 billion pledge but also streamline fund access by cutting bureaucratic delays. Domestically, Pakistan must adopt » Read More…