Pakistan faces $100 billion climate cost over past 20 years

Political, economic, and environmental issues have made matters worse for Pakistan.

According to a discussion, climate change has cost the country $100 billion over the past two decades, while its total external debt is over $130 billion.

Environmental Conflict and Social Dialogue in Pakistan, organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Thursday, highlighted how environmental challenges impact Pakistan’s security and economy. Experts agreed that environmental disruption leads to crises such as economic instability and food insecurity.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), emphasized that environmental conflict is a major challenge, warning that future conflicts may arise over access to clean water and air.

He highlighted the misuse of agricultural land for housing developments as a threat to food resources, and he called for an institutional framework to preserve farmland and support reforestation.

Experts at the session, including Dr. Arshi Hashmi and Imrana Tiwana, stressed the importance of a secure environment for sustainable peace and economic growth.

Tiwana noted that climate change currently impacts 8% of Pakistan’s GDP, a figure expected to rise to 30% by 2050, potentially reducing life expectancy.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the government to spend one per cent of its GDP to develop climate resilience.

Environmental impacts over the past two decades have cost Pakistan approximately $100 billion.