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Pakistan Swelters: Record Heat Fuels Climate Crisis
15 Jun
Summary
- Pakistan faced its second-warmest year in 65 years in 2025.
- Climate spending is proposed at Rs690bn, but needs exceed billions.
- Adaptation investments like flood defenses are prioritized over mitigation.
Pakistan is experiencing severe climate impacts, with 2025 recording the second-warmest year in 65 years, following a record-breaking 2024. Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw their highest annual temperatures in decades. These conditions are intensifying glacial melt and altering monsoon patterns, leading to increased rainfall variability and more volatile weather.
The government's budget for 2026-27 includes around Rs214bn for climate-tagged expenditure and Rs476bn in green subsidies, totaling nearly Rs690bn. Initiatives like the Pakistan Climate Prosperity Plan are also underway. However, the Economic Survey projects a need for approximately $565.7bn in climate-related investments by 2035.
Experts emphasize that current allocations appear modest against this backdrop. The focus is shifting towards adaptation, prioritizing flood defenses, urban drainage, water management, climate-resilient agriculture, and early warning systems over solely emission reduction measures. These investments are crucial for mitigating losses from climate shocks and safeguarding economic activity and public welfare.
