Islamabad: Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Sherry Rehman, chaired a meeting of the Committee to review Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, assess the national climate finance strategy, and evaluate progress on the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023.

Senator Rehman cautioned that Pakistan is 'sleepwalking into a resilience nightmare,' recalling that the country's top global ranking among climate-vulnerable nations in 2022 followed the devastating floods that year. She emphasized that Pakistan's participation at COP30 must focus on securing climate finance rather than symbolic attendance, urging a revival of the country's leadership in climate diplomacy: 'We must reclaim the climate leadership we once demonstrated when we successfully secured the Loss and Damage Fund three years ago.'

Expressing concern over lost international momentum on climate finance, Senator Rehman termed the global disparity in climate funding 'climate colonialism,' citing that $7 trillion continues to be spent annually on fossil fuel subsidies while developing countries like Pakistan struggle for grants.

Quoting World Bank estimates, she noted that Pakistan requires $348 billion by 2030 to cope with climate impacts-$152 billion of which is needed for adaptation and resilience. By 2050, climate inaction could cost Pakistan $1.2 trillion, with flooding alone potentially causing $90 billion in losses and displacing up to 400 million people, mostly in Punjab.

The Secretary for Climate Change briefed the Committee that COP30, to be hosted by Brazil from November 10-21, will focus on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate finance, forests, and oceans. He added that Pakistan will engage in negotiations on carbon credit trading with Korea, while the Loss and Damage Fund will become operational with $700 million in current pledges.

Senator Rehman underscored Pakistan's low forest cover and polluted coastline, calling for accountability after COP30: 'This Committee will seek a full assessment of Pakistan's forest cover post-COP30. We must ensure that what happened during the floods - entire regions turning brown - never happens again.'

She also urged stronger provincial engagement in climate implementation, particularly involving Balochistan, emphasizing: 'Use this Committee as a platform to work with provinces. Without their involvement, no climate policy can succeed.'

Committee Members Senator Quratulain Marri and Senator Kakar raised concerns over weak coordination and the equitable distribution of climate funding to provinces.

The Committee also discussed the performance of the Meteorological Department during the August 19 Karachi rainfall. Senator Marri criticized the outdated forecasting systems, while Senator Rehman noted underutilization of departmental grants and called for collaboration with NDMA and private platforms to improve early warning systems nationwide.

On plastic pollution, Senator Rehman highlighted the severe threat posed by microplastics: 'Plastics are not just waste - they are chemicals. Some last for centuries, and these forever chemicals are linked to cancers. The Indus is now the world's second most polluted river choked with plastics.'

While the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad briefed that enforcement measures, including fines up to Rs 1 million on manufacturers, have curbed plastic bag usage, Senator Rehman directed that comprehensive recycling facilities be established to ensure sustainable impact.

Concluding the meeting, Senator Rehman said climate finance, resilience, and accountability must remain at the centre of Pakistan's national agenda:

'We cannot afford to be reactive anymore - the next climate disaster will not wait for us to coordinate. We must move from policy to practice, from silos to synergy.'

Among those present were Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Senator Naseema Ehsan, Senator Quratul Ain Marri, Senator Kakar, and via Zoom, Senator Sarmad Ali and Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur.