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World Bank and IMF Sound Alarm on Pakistan's Climate Fragility
10 Nov
Summary
- World Bank projects 20-30% GDP decline by 2050 if trends continue
- Repeated floods and droughts eroding food security, livelihoods, and health
- IMF's $1.4bn Resilience and Sustainability Facility to integrate climate in fiscal planning
According to a report published on November 10th, 2025, international lenders have sounded the alarm about Pakistan's growing climate fragility. At a recent Sustainable Development Conference, the World Bank and IMF warned that unchecked population growth, environmental degradation, and depleting natural resources are pushing Pakistan towards a perilous tipping point.
The World Bank's country director, Dr. Bolormaa Amgabazar, noted that Pakistan's exposure to climate shocks and pollution has reached "alarmingly high" levels. The bank's projections show a staggering 20-30% decline in Pakistan's GDP by 2050 if current trends continue. These effects are already being felt, as repeated floods and droughts are eroding the country's food security, livelihoods, and public health.
The IMF's country representative, Mahir Binici, linked climate resilience directly to reform, stating that Pakistan's $1.4bn Resilience and Sustainability Facility will help integrate climate considerations into the country's fiscal planning. Future development spending will also undergo climate screening, a welcome shift towards accountability in infrastructure decisions.
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However, the report notes that Pakistan must reform and adapt simultaneously, even as international support remains painfully slow. Pledges for the Loss and Damage Fund and the World Bank's $20bn Country Partnership Framework have yet to materialize, leaving the reform agenda on shaky ground. Climate policies must outlast political cycles, and sustained commitment is needed to protect the vulnerable and secure Pakistan's economic, social, and environmental future.
