Endemic Water Scarcity Will Exacerbate Future Droughts

Endemic Water Scarcity Will Exacerbate Future Droughts
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, as the gradual increase in air and soil temperature will cause water scarcity, while recurring heatwaves will intensify the situation and worsen droughts.

“Despite being a low carbon emitter, Pakistan is at risk of extreme weather variations and unexpected occurrences. The gradual increase in air and soil temperature will cause water scarcity, while recurring heat-waves will intensify the situation and worsen droughts, according to the economic survey for the fiscal year 2023".

Climate change mitigation and adaptation is a national priority imperative for Pakistan and the government aims to strengthen air and water pollution control.

Dilating on measures taken by climate change ministry, the document revealed the government has developed the National Climate Change Policy, which is the strategic vision for climate change in Pakistan. “The policy actions to combat climate change are further supported by the development of the Implementation framework for NDC which will be the major pathway to track the progress in global milieu of climate action,” it says.

'Climate and Green Budgeting' aims to use budgetary tools to achieve environmental and climate goals. Incorporating green budgeting in the public financial management (PFM) cycle will be instrumental in tracking as well as monitoring climate-related expenditure in the federal government, according to the policy document.