At the forefront of the climate crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan made urgent appeals for grant-based climate finance at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. During this worldwide summit, which drew attention to the disastrous effects of climate change faced by vulnerable nations, Sharif emphasized the mounting pressures and unfulfilled financial pledges made during previous gatherings, especially at COP27 and COP28.
Pakistan, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. The nation has been relentlessly battered by extreme weather events, including unprecedented floods, scorching heatwaves, and rapid glacial melt, all exacerbated by climate change. PM Shehbaz detailed the catastrophic monsoon floods of 2022, which resulted in over 1,700 fatalities and financial losses estimated at $30 billion, highlighting the urgent need for financial aid to combat future crises.
Addressing world leaders at COP29, Sharif asserted, "We need to make it clear: we have to fulfill those financial pledges." He lamented the lack of materialization of commitments from previous summits and called out to the international community for tangible action to mitigate climate change impact. The premier underscored how developing countries, particularly Pakistan, contribute minimally to global emissions yet bear the brunt of the repercussions.
Speaking of his encounters with flood victims, PM Shehbaz shared the heartbreaking story of Ikramullah, a young boy who lost everything during the floods. His narrative highlighted the human side of climate change, reinforcing his demand for justice and support from developed nations. “I don’t want other countries to experience what Pakistan experienced back in 2022,” he expressed, showcasing the urgency for global cooperation.
Further emphasizing the need for reform, Shehbaz argued for grant-based climate finance, which would prevent adding to the already hefty debt burdens carried by developing nations. He warned, "Debt cannot be the acceptable new normal," cautioning against loans perceived as temporary solutions but which often lead to debt traps for vulnerable countries. His focus remains on the need for financial systems and structures conducive to fostering resilience against climate disasters.
Alongside PM Shehbaz, representatives from various nations also relayed their realities faced because of climate change. For example, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, David Davis, spoke about the accumulation of debt from weather-related disasters, underscoring the disproportionate burden placed upon smaller nations by the financial impacts of climate events.
Critically, PM Shehbaz advocated for a significant increase in financial support for climate initiatives, referencing estimates from the UN which project developing nations will need around $6.2 trillion by 2030 to fulfill their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as outlined under the Paris Agreement. This brings attention to the need for committed international cooperation to deliver funds more effectively and swiftly.
Supporting Shehbaz at COP29, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the necessity of early warning systems for climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. He recognized the UN’s initiative, called 'Early Warning for All', which aims to implement comprehensive warning systems worldwide by 2027, thereby serving as a lifeline for nations facing climate volatility.
Dar called for substantial climate financing, echoing PM Shehbaz's sentiments of transforming the COP30 discussions and push for financial commitments, stating, “We need systems for direct access to funds to reinforce our programs rather than fragmentary initiatives.” He reiterated the collective responsibility of developed nations to provide aid reflective of historical emissions and pledged to meet local adaptation needs.
Despite the dire message from many smaller nations, several key leaders from the world’s largest polluting countries were absent from COP29. Prominent figures such as the U.S. and Chinese Presidents did not attend, raising scrutiny over the global commitment necessary to tackle climate change. This absence highlights disparities between industrialized nations and those most affected by adverse weather changes.
Yet, the voices of the vulnerable were echoed strongly at the summit. Leaders from affected nations underscored the struggles with severe climate impacts, reinforcing the narrative of demand for financial contributions from wealthier, industrialized countries. The plea for justice and immediate action against climate change underscored every speech, reminding attendees of the pressing challenges the planet’s inhabitants face now and moving forward.
Concluding his efforts at COP29, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope for transforming the conference’s outcome to restore faith in the pledging process. He called for heightened financial commitments to secure the future for those living on the frontline of climate change disasters. His message, along with those of other world leaders, resonates with urgency and determination to adapt and build resilient communities against climate impacts. COP29 may serve as pivotal crossroads for climate discussions, as potential pathways for sustainable financing take root, but success hinges directly on the global response to the calls for action made during this summit.
