Pakistan (پاکستان)

1. Introduction

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world and the estimated population in 2021 will be 225,199,937 people. In 2021 the growth rate is 2.00 and like other countries, Pakistan's largest population is youth aged between 15-29. Hence Pakistan faces one of the biggest energy and economic crises because Pakistan's overall growth is affected and progression towards any policy is difficult.

Pakistan INDC report highlights the main seven pillars to transform Pakistan into a prosperous nation by 2025. Pak-INDC highlights the challenges and also measures associated with the current and future scenarios. There are some measures that will lead Pakistan to climate-compatible and low carbon development. Pakistan ranks amongst the top of those nations where the vulnerability index due to climate changes is very high. At present, the country's GHG emissions are increasing at an annual rate of 6 percent or 18.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent.

INDC's are the document that is clearly mentioning the country's present situation of various strategies and carbon footprint that has been put into one place to analyze the commitments to the Paris Agreement based on socio-economic realities and their impact on the country's current and future Green House Gas (GHG) emission. It also highlights how much it fulfills with the UNFCCC charter and what implications are made to achieve sustainable development and their improvement in reducing climate challenges.

The World Bank estimated that the poverty ratio in Pakistan stood at 39.3 percent in 2020-21 and is projected to remain at 39.2 percent in 2021-22 and might come down to 37.9 percent by 2022-23. As a progressive nation countries pay attention to the development sectors rather than climate change.

2. Emissions

The increase of emission in all sectors of the economy, the overall emissions increase over the period of twenty-one years is 123 percent approximately. Carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan based on fossil fuel and industrial purposes reached a record high in 2019, at 223.6 million metric tons of CO2 (CO2 emissions: fossil fuel & industrial purposes in Pakistan 1970-2019).

The NDC of Pakistan highlights the detailed emission growth and the sectors included are energy, agriculture, industrial process, land-use change, and forestry.

Furthermore, the future plans national or international of reducing emissions before 2030 in Pakistan, however many plans have been done but real numbers are highlighted and yet now there are no chances to be seen till 2021 for decreasing of emission. Directly quoting from the INDC of Pakistan, the GHG emissions of Pakistan in 2030 would be 1603 MT CO2-equivalent.

Again quoting from INDC Pakistan; Having considered the existing potential for mitigation in the country, Pakistan intends to reduce up to 20% of its 2030 projected GHG emissions subject to the availability of international grants to meet the total abatement cost for the indicated 20 percent reduction amounting to about US$ 40 billion at current prices. Pakistan’s adaptation needs range between U$ 7 to U$ 14 billion/annum during this period.

3. Gender

After reading the report thoroughly there are no gender policies in the Pak-INDC. Due to this many issues are faced by men, women, and the transgender community. Each gender is facing specific issues that are not highlighted in the report. 

3.1 Gender policies can be included in Pak-INDC

In the 21st-century gender is included in many policies through rigorous research and through government representatives. Men, women, and transgender people are highly affected by poverty and natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, landslides, and droughts. Specifically talking about gender the targeted population should be included in the report and as said malnutrition is one of the major things that affects the larger population, especially women and girls. At a very young age, girls’ health is highly affected by their menstrual cycle and women of age between 30-50 years are facing bone diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, and loss of bone elasticity.

3.2 More women in policymaking 

As women are the pillars of the society and Pakistan needs more women in policymaking and yet there should be some policies made especially for women to empower them and teach them to be aware of the climate crises Pakistan is facing. Women are considered to a building prosperous nations and they are the ones who can teach their communities about the changes our nation is facing and it will be considered as important as any other development sector.

Gender-responsive budgeting on climate change report is written but it’s not highlighted in the Pak-INDC analysis report. Budget and other resources have been allocated and this should be included in the report.

3.3 Gender inclusivity

It's important to include all genders without any biases in nation-building and policy-building. Women are considered the best decision-makers and they have proved it through many platforms and involvement in governments. So if men, women, and transgender people work together on climate justice there will be faster and better progress, and the goals we want to achieve by 2030 will be achieved on time and with better results.

4. Youth 

Youth, the largest population of Pakistan. INDC Pakistan hasn't been included as they fail to highlight youth as a populous stakeholder and yet more aware of the current issues and challenges the nation is facing. Youth are considered a technological generation and have better knowledge about issues and challenges e.g. climate challenges. Youth are the backbone of the nation they should be included in each policymaking as they have better solutions due to digital empowerment. Government should do some surveys in universities so a better understanding of major issues we as a nation are facing will be solved with better and innovative ways. Due to climate changes youth are facing some serious mental issues as well as health issues so a better understanding of climate challenges from the youth perspective will be helpful for better policies.

5. Civil Society Justice

Civil society includes all the entities that are not part of a government but those private sectors or groups working on issues and challenges for the betterment of the society. Civil society is not included in Pak-INDC analysis and they haven't considered major working groups. All major civil society groups who are working on climate issues know what challenges Pakistan is facing right now and what are the solutions for making those things that are climate-friendly and eco-friendly.

5.1 The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC)

The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change is a licensed Coalition dedicated to highlighting the subject of climate change in Pakistan and influencing policymaking at the regional, national and sub-national level through research, and advocacy. The idea for establishing a networking platform was mooted in the lead-up to COP21 and the efforts of the French Embassy in bringing stakeholders together to work towards an "Agenda of Solutions". The success of the all stakeholder Pre-COP21 dialogue was held in Lahore, Pakistan in October 2015.

Hence CSCCC is working towards climate change since 2015 and Pal-INDC analysis came in 2016 and it is not included in the report.

5.2 Clean Green Pakistan

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, launched the Clean Green Pakistan Movement (CGPM) on 13th October 2018.

This national campaign underpins behavioral change and institutional strengthening while envisaging the need to address five components: plantation, solid waste management, liquid waste management/ hygiene, total sanitation, and safe drinking water. The CGPM has a specific focus on empowering the citizens to seek access to basic services but also making themselves equally accountable and responsible for Clean Green Pakistan. 

This program is not included in the INDC analysis of Pakistan. There is a need to make a new NDC report of Pakistan so many new initiatives of civil society organizations should be included and have positive image of Pakistan nationally and internationally.

6. Climate Justice and Equity

Whenever talking about climate justice that will not include only climate challenges, but it will include human rights, political issues, and ethical issues the nation is facing. Climate justice in Pak-INDC analysis is not included rather major portion is on emission issues as well waste management issues Pakistan is facing.

The Paris Agreement preamble highlights the issues of people facing climate challenges and human rights violations which are still not highlighted in the Pak-INDC analysis. Indigenous groups and those living below the poverty line are facing climate injustice and no equity is ensured. 

7. Recommendations

As a young feminist climate advocate the recommendations to improve Pak-INDC analysis are;

• Youth and youth-led organizations should be included in the policy making of climate justice policies.

• Gender inclusivity should be the first priority whenever a new analysis report will be in the process without any biases and stereotypes that similar gender can't play a role in climate justice.

• More and more research should be done on climate issues so it will be published with the help of the government.

• When Pak-INDC analysis will be ongoing ordinary people should include because they face most of the climate challenges and hence they are more vulnerable.

• Local surveys should be done on monthly basis and listen to the voices of those people who are living in mountain areas.

• Many organizations are working towards a safe and healthy Pakistan, so they should be included while improving Pak-INDC's because of the more knowledge about the climate challenges.

• Women living below the poverty line and hence no resources towards a healthy lifestyle should be considered and detailed analysis should be given in the analysis report.

• Women's hygiene issues like period poverty should be discussed in the report because health and hygiene is the most important part of women's life.

8. References

• https://cleangreen.gov.pk/eng

• https://www.csccc.org.pk/

• https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Pakistan/1/Pak-INDC.pdf