Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Urges Climate Action and Finance Commitment

As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets US President Donald Trump at the White House, he has reiterated Pakistan's commitment to address the climate crisis and called upon the international community to honor its commitment to climate finance. Speaking at a climate event in New York, the prime minister emphasized that debt-driven finance cannot address the climate catastrophe confronting vulnerable nations like Pakistan. He highlighted Pakistan's minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet bearing impacts far beyond its share, and expressed hope that the international community would honor its commitment for the sake of Pakistan's future generations.

Key Takeaways:

• Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House, accompanied by high-ranking officials and senior ministers.
• The prime minister emphasized the need for climate finance, stating that "loans over loans, [and] adding to loans is not a solution."
• Pakistan has committed to an unconditional 15% reduction in projected greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and has already delivered on this pledge.
• The country aims to increase the share of renewables and hydropower to 62% of the energy mix by 2035, expand nuclear energy capacity by 1200 MW by 2030, and shift 30% of transport to cleaner mobility by 2030.
• Pakistan has restored 23,000 hectares of mangrove forests and plans to implant 1 billion trees.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for new plans for 2035 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees by century's end and to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035.

Statistics:

• Pakistan's losses from the 2022 floods exceed $30 billion.
• More than 5 million people have been impacted by floods this year, destroying 41,000 villages and claiming over 1,000 lives.
• Renews are providing over 32% of Pakistan's power mix.
• Solar energy has grown sevenfold since 2021.
• Pakistan's 2021 nationally determined contribution commits to an unconditional 15% reduction in projected greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
• The country aims to implant 1 billion trees.

Sources:

• Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks at the climate event in New York, convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, hosted by the President of Brazil (COP-30 Host).
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks at the climate event.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's earlier meeting with leaders of Islamic countries in New York.