Karachi – The Aga Khan University’s Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), in collaboration with the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), hosted a pivotal symposium titled “Climate Change and Health & Development Consequences in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities.” The symposium convened experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the various impacts of climate change on Pakistan’s health, agriculture, food security, and economic development. The event explored indigenous and innovative strategies to mitigate these effects.
The Honorable Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for a unified approach to tackle climate change, stating that “No single entity—be it a politician, judge, or institution—has the solution to climate change.”
Professor Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development and the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at the Aga Khan University highlighted the severe economic and health challenges Pakistan faced due to the escalating impacts of climate change.
Catastrophic events like the floods in 2010-11 and 2022 caused Pakistan’s economy to lose up to 11% of its GDP, highlighting the urgent need for action. Water shortages and air pollution are also taking a toll, with future heatwaves and floods expected to make things worse, potentially costing the economy up to 9% of GDP by 2050. Prof Bhutta pointed out that agriculture, which is vital to the economy, is struggling due to environmental damage and outdated practices, leading to significant losses. Additionally, the degradation of the Indus Delta and rapid glacier melting are adding to the country’s challenges.
Despite these challenges, the symposium revealed several innovative opportunities to address the impact of climate change. In agriculture, the adoption of sustainable practices and advanced technologies promises to enhance resource management and productivity. The event also highlighted innovative communication mechanisms and rural support programmes aimed at mitigating glacier melting in northern regions.
In the health sector, achieving zero emissions and incorporating indigenous knowledge into structural changes were identified as crucial for building resilience. The Aga Khan Development Network’s examples underscored the need to scale up these indigenous solutions.
The symposium underscored the importance of a coordinated, evidence-based approach to combating climate change. Key outcomes include the development of a unified science, innovation, and research platform to consolidate information on climate change, environment, and health. Additionally, there is an urgent need to enhance research and education capacity in climate and environmental issues across both public and private sectors.
The need for increased research financing and improved climate governance was also discussed. Experience from 2021-2023 shows that PKR 200 million was allocated for research, but there is an urgent need to allocate more resources for research across various sectors and government ministries.
The “Climate Change and Health & Development Consequences in Pakistan” symposium has laid the groundwork for transformative action. By leveraging technology, indigenous knowledge, and a collaborative research and governance framework, Pakistan can address the impacts of climate change and work towards a sustainable future for its vulnerable populations and ongoing development.
