ISLAMABAD: The Economic Survey 2024-25 has issued a stark warning about the escalating climate crisis posing an existential threat to Pakistan.
It highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as global temperatures cross the critical 1.5°C threshold.
Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, remains highly vulnerable to these climate-induced disasters, urging urgent adaptive and mitigation strategies.
Rising Impact of Natural Disasters
Between 1980 and 2024, Pakistan faced 224 extreme natural disasters, with floods being the most devastating.
Floods, including flash and riverine types, occurred 109 times, affecting over 100 million people and causing damages estimated at $36.4 billion.
Heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and droughts have also inflicted severe human and economic losses, with heatwaves alone causing 2,741 fatalities over 13 events.
The year 2024 saw record-breaking temperature and rainfall anomalies, reflecting the growing impact of climate change on the region.
Urgent Need for Climate Resilience
The survey emphasizes that Pakistan’s future depends on proactive investments in renewable energy, climate-smart infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration.
It calls for coordinated action at national and global levels to build resilience against increasingly erratic weather patterns and environmental distress.
Strengthening adaptive response mechanisms and aligning global support with local efforts are crucial to safeguarding Pakistan’s socio-economic stability.
