Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadiq Malik delivered the keynote address today as Chief Guest at the Pakistan International Wildlife and ECO Film Festival, held at the National Library Auditorium, Islamabad.
In his address, Dr. Musadiq Malik highlighted that Pakistan remains consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions. Citing the devastating 2022 floods and the latest findings of the 2025 Germanwatch Climate Risk Index, he stressed that Pakistan bears a disproportionate share of the climate burden, making global solidarity and urgent action imperative. The Minister emphasized that rising average temperatures, increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, and the alarming retreat of the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan glaciers are clear indicators of an unfolding crisis that threatens the country’s water security, agriculture, and overall economic stability.
Dr. Malik warned that if current trends continue, Pakistan’s GDP could decline by 18-20% by 2050 due to extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and related challenges. He noted that the impacts of climate change extend beyond the environment, affecting food security, public health, livelihoods, and the survival of coastal communities. The Minister underscored the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies, including investments in resilient infrastructure, improved water management systems, enhanced disaster preparedness, and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture. He also highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami and Recharge Pakistan as vital efforts toward reforestation and biodiversity conservation.
Speaking on Pakistan’s commitment to climate mitigation, Dr. Musadiq Malik reaffirmed the government’s targets of increasing the share of renewable energy to 60% by 2030, transitioning to electric vehicles, and promoting nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration. He stressed that Pakistan cannot achieve these goals alone and called upon developed nations to fulfill their climate finance commitments, particularly through the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. Mobilizing financial and technological support, he argued, is essential for ensuring a just transition and building resilience among the most vulnerable populations.
Dr. Malik emphasized the critical role of youth and local communities in driving climate action. He urged for greater integration of indigenous knowledge and youth empowerment through education and active participation in climate initiatives. He also stressed the importance of strengthening national and provincial policy frameworks, enhancing inter-institutional coordination, and investing in better climate risk data collection and local governance structures.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Musadiq Malik commended the Pakistan International Wildlife and ECO Film Festival for providing an important platform to raise awareness about environmental conservation. He urged the media to continue playing a vital role in promoting nuanced, continuous coverage of climate change issues to galvanize public support for urgent and sustained action.
