Floods of Injustice: Why Climate Reparations are Not Enough for Pakistan's Survival

(Photo/Wikimedia Commons|Aerial view of flooding, Pakistan 2010)

by Michelle Naeem

Michelle Naeem (MPA ‘25) argues for a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for significant reductions in carbon emissions by developed nations and long-term resilience measures for vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

Benazir's voice trembled with sorrow as she shared her heart-wrenching tale from the flood-affected lands of Sindh. She lost one of her children due to malnourishment and lack of access to a hospital during the 2022 floods. Benazir represents approximately 33 million individuals who continue to bear the burden of loss of life and economic opportunities as a consequence of the industrialization of developed nations. Even more troubling is the prospect of these floods recurring in the future, disproportionately impacting Pakistan which, based on the latest available data, contributes a mere 0.8% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. With the destruction of more than 2.3 million houses and a death toll of more than 1700, Pakistan faced the worst floods in 2022 owing to the climate crisis. This latest disaster served as a painful reminder of the traumatic events of the 2010 floods, where one-fifth of Pakistan's territory was submerged, impacting 20 million people. Once again, heavy rainfall was predominantly blamed for the crisis, underscoring the cyclical nature of climate-related disasters plaguing the region.

Despite comprising only 12% of the global population, wealthy countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, and much of Western Europe have been responsible for 50% of the greenhouse gasses emitted from fossil fuels and industries over the past 170 years. Although a fund for providing financial assistance to affected countries, known as the Loss and Damage Fund, was established during COP 27, the journey toward finding long-term solutions remains uncertain. Proposed by Pakistan, the fund was designed to address the financial needs of developing countries that bear a disproportionate burden of climate change impacts. Although US$700 million was pledged in COP 28 for the fund, this positive development pales in comparison to the staggering US$400 billion required to adequately address the situation. Appallingly, there has also been an utter absence of meaningful discourse on permanent solutions to confront cyclical climate change disasters. Developed nations need to go beyond token gestures of climate reparation promises. This is crucial, as reparations mostly prioritize the provision of immediate shelter and food relief in the aftermath of such catastrophes, leaving the essential long-term strategies largely overlooked.

The 2022 floods in Pakistan displaced a staggering 7.9 million people and damaged over 2.3 million homes. As of December 2023, more than 60% of temporarily uprooted households continue to reside in makeshift structures such as tents and emergency shelters. As climate-related catastrophes continue to loom, discussions about reparations alone will prove insufficient in the long term. The need of the hour is the development of robust recommendations including significant reductions in carbon emissions by developed nations. The good news is that a mounting body of evidence indicates that embracing lower-emission and sustainable practices does not hinder economic growth. Therefore, developed nations need to reduce carbon emissions, prioritize implementation of climate agreements and shift to green energy. This is the only way left to shield vulnerable countries like Pakistan from the recurring nightmare of environmental catastrophes.

In addition to the harrowing displacements, Pakistan also suffered a severe blow to its agriculture during the 2022 floods, losing 9.4 million acres of crucial crop area. Poverty rose to alarming heights, with districts affected by calamities experiencing an average poverty rate of 31.4%. In stark contrast to the impractical ideals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions championed by the Biden administration, the United States domestic oil production hit an astonishing 13.2 million barrels per day in October 2023. Given this situation, COP 29 should play a pivotal role in charting a long-term climate strategy with clear responsibilities and targets for the global North. 

It is important to note that Pakistan's difficult situation is rooted in issues of poverty, and inequality, which cannot be addressed solely through post-disaster rebuilding. The way to reduce disaster vulnerability in Pakistan is to lift it out of poverty through mitigation and adaptation infrastructures. Pakistan finds itself trapped in an endless cycle of servicing massive debt obligations to foreign creditors. A substantial 42% of the government's revenue, amounting to $124.5 billion, was earmarked for external debt obligations in 2023. This is a grave misallocation of crucial funds that could instead have been channeled towards early mitigation measures, adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. 

Hence, climate reparations take an ineffective approach by providing financial assistance to those impacted by climate change long after the damage is done, without addressing the root causes. Instead, a more impactful approach should focus on creating an emissions reduction framework that compels the biggest polluters to take action, while also offering well-managed assistance to those bearing the consequences of these actions. The upcoming COP 29 should urgently champion resilience measures against climate disasters through efficient energy sources, to uplift living standards of those who are the most affected by climate disasters in developing countries such as Pakistan. Additionally, the responsibility for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning from coal and gas should lie with the high emitting countries that have, for over a decade, failed to collectively decrease emissions. 

It’s high time for Global North to take bold steps in reducing carbon emissions and devising sustainable, long-term solutions. The time for talk is over; the time for action is now. The world can no longer afford to drag feet when the livelihoods and well-being of millions are at stake.

Michelle Naeem (MPA ‘25) is specializing in International Finance and Data Analytics and Quantitative Analysis. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, Michelle has expertise as a civil servant, where she has utilized her analytical skills to drive efficient and effective public policy initiatives. Her experience spans across data analysis, administrative roles, and successful policy implementations.