Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: November 03, 2023 | 
| 中文
(L to R) Moderator Sidra Iqbal, Jahangir Piracha, CEO Engro Polymer & Chemicals, Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO, Core
In the complex tapestry of global challenges, climate change stands out as an overarching threat that demands collective action and strategic solutions. This concern was at the forefront during the 2nd Pakistan Climate Conference hosted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industries (OICCI) on November 1, 2023. The conference brought together a spectrum of stakeholders, including global and local climate change experts, business leaders, policymakers, and social change activists to deliberate on pressing issues and collaborative solutions.
Amir Paracha, OICCI President, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, noting that, "Climate change is a global issue, but in Pakistan’s case, it is evident that climate change is happening now and not a phenomenon that only our future generations will experience." Despite contributing less than 1% of the world’s planet-warming gases, Pakistan ranks as the eighth most vulnerable nation to the climate crisis. The devastating floods of the previous year, submerging one-third of the country, served as a stark reminder of the tangible impacts and the hefty toll exacted by climate change.
A family displaced by floods in the Province of Sindh in 2022. (Picture credits to Emer Manning)
The overarching theme of the conference was climate resilience and sustainable solutions. OICCI, as a collective of over 200 multinational corporations in Pakistan, recognizes its responsibility and accountability. "Taking responsibility for our footprint, we are working towards minimizing our environmental mark as much as we can, by implementing changes within our own operations and also engaging with other key players in the ecosystem," stated Paracha.
The conference aligned its themes with the upcoming COP 28, scheduled to be held in the UAE, covering critical topics such as Climate Resilience and Capacity Building in Vulnerable Communities, Plastic and Waste Management, Emissions Reduction and Green Energy. The event aimed to build on the foundation laid in the inaugural Pakistan Climate Conference, providing policy directions and sharing best practices from leading multinational corporations in Pakistan.
Rehan Shaikh, Vice President OICCI, emphasized the importance of aligning policies and investments with a net-zero future. He stated, "We have a narrow window of opportunity to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and we need to mobilize more resources and support for developing our country." The conference featured key figures such as Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Minister of Finance, Muhammad Ali, Minister of Energy, Adil Najam, WWF Global President, Bill Winters, Global CEO Standard Chartered Bank, Philip Skinner, Managing Director GuarantCo, Sarah Mooney, British Deputy High Commissioner, among other leading business and thought leaders. The OICCI, through its member companies, played a pivotal role in sponsoring the event, with Chevron, Dawlance, InfraZamin, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever, BASF, Toyota Indus Motors, Nestle and Abbott taking lead sponsorship positions.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar's session at the Pakistan Climate Conference
In addressing the critical issue of water scarcity, which looms large over Pakistan's future, several experts highlighted the multifaceted challenges. Arif Anwar, Head of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), stressed the need for immediate measures to ensure water security in cities. The growing disparity in water supply affects vulnerable communities disproportionately. Informal settlements, constituting 60% of Karachi's population, face severe water shortages, compelling families to devise innovative strategies for rationing water.
Anwar predicted an escalation of anarchy and the rise of a more insidious water mafia, exacerbating the existing challenges. Karachi, a city with a population of 15 million, faces a daily water demand of 1,100 million gallons but receives only 450 to 480 million gallons. The shortfall leads to the proliferation of illegal hydrants and profiting from the unmet demand.
Rural Sindh, too, grapples with water-related woes, with small farmers at the tail-end of canals facing seawater intrusion and unproductive arable land. The unchecked abstraction of groundwater exacerbates the crisis, with Lahore witnessing critical depletion and contamination. A NASA-led study identified the Indus Basin aquifer as the second-most overstressed globally, further complicating Pakistan's water stress index.
The audience at the Pakistan Climate Conference
Despite possessing significant water resources, mismanagement, changing precipitation patterns and insufficient storage, contribute to Pakistan's vulnerability to extreme floods, prolonged droughts and natural disasters. The absence of new dam construction since 1976 and the inadequate storage capacity of major reservoirs, underscore the urgency of effective water resource management.
Transitioning to a discussion on India's role in exacerbating Pakistan's water crisis, it is imperative to approach the topic with nuance. Water disputes between the two nations are longstanding and the Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, aimed to address shared water resources. However, tensions persist, and accusations of water theft and mismanagement persist on both sides.
Dried Bank of the Rawal Lake that provides water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi
The water stress indicators and predictions by the Pakistan Meteorological Department signal an impending water scarcity by 2025. The rising population, coupled with increased water demand, poses a significant challenge. According to a 2015 IMF report, the demand for water is projected to reach 274 million acre-feet by 2025, while the supply is expected to remain stagnant at 191 million acre-feet, resulting in a demand-supply gap of approximately 83 million acre-feet.
Agriculture's role in driving water demand remains a significant concern, with Pakistan exhibiting low productivity per unit of water compared to regional counterparts like India and China. Khalid Mohtadullah, an expert in water resources policy, highlights the need for improved water governance, scientific knowledge and a shift from an irrigation-intensive agricultural economy.
Zeeshan Khizer caught the essence of the PCC 2023 and his live doodle art performance
Simi Kamal, a prominent water expert, advocates for a comprehensive billing mechanism for water use, stating, "Beyond the human rights to water and water for domestic consumption, environment, cultural and municipal uses, all other uses should be billed and paid for, especially in agriculture." However, Ahmad Rafay Alam, an environmental lawyer, underscores the need to reconsider agricultural tubewell tariffs and involve the private sector in water management.
As the conference emphasized collaborative efforts to address the climate crisis, it provided a platform for discourse on climate finance. Keynote speakers, including Muhammad Ali, Minister of Energy, emphasized the substantial cost of climate change to Pakistan and the pivotal role of the private sector, particularly OICCI, in contributing to Pakistan's climate future.
Philip Skinner, Managing Director of GuarantCo, emphasized the integration of climate considerations into financial decision-making processes, blurring the lines between 'finance' and 'climate finance.' Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Minister of Finance, highlighted the need for substantial investment (approximately $340 billion) to address climate-related challenges in Pakistan. In a bid to reconcile the tradeoff between climate finance and developmental finance, Dr. Akhtar announced collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Climate Change, marking a significant step towards innovative climate finance mechanisms.
In conclusion, the 2nd Pakistan Climate Conference emerged as a crucial forum for addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and water scarcity. As Pakistan grapples with the imminent water crisis, collaborative efforts, policy alignment and innovative solutions become paramount. The conference not only underscored the need for urgent action but also demonstrated the commitment of diverse stakeholders to steer Pakistan toward a sustainable and resilient future.
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