News Detail
Event Title: Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2025-06-25
Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Sherry Rehman, voiced strong concern over Pakistan’s weakening climate resilience in the face of escalating global risks, while presiding over a meeting held to review the Climate Ministry’s Budget 2025-2026.
Speaking on the recently announced federal budget, Senator Rehman criticized the decision to reduce climate-related allocations within the budget and PSDP at a time when Pakistan ranks among the most vulnerable nations on the planet.
“Pakistan was ranked as the most climate-vulnerable country in the world, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by German Watch. This is not just an alarming ranking — it’s a call to action. Climate change must be treated as our number one national priority,” she said.
“Yet, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination’s budget has been slashed from Rs3.5 billion to Rs2.7 billion. This is a strategic mistake. When we reduce our own spending, we send a signal to global financiers that we’re not serious about climate change— and that’s damaging,” she added.
She warned that the budget cuts send a damaging signal internationally at a time when Pakistan must demonstrate both capacity and commitment to unlock global climate finance.
“We are signatories to 26 environmental treaties. This is not just a domestic concern — it's an issue of international representation. If we are not seen investing in our own resilience, why would others support us?” she asked.
Senator Rehman also stressed the importance of ICT-based environmental protection, which is directly under the federal ministry. She underscored the need to safeguard natural ecosystems like Margalla Hills, and address rampant deforestation.
“The government has a constitutional responsibility to protect these green lungs of the capital. But without resources, we’re just making statements, not progress,” she said.
Senator Rehman called for supplementary budget allocations, especially to support provinces with limited institutional capacity, and emphasized the need to build implementation capacity for national climate actions.
Regarding budget utilization, Senator Sherry Rehman questioned the lapse in the allocated climate funds, especially after the Ministry had formally requested enhanced budgetary allocations. She termed the underutilization a “failure of planning and delivery,” emphasizing the urgent need for improved internal coordination within the Ministry — particularly in a science-led institution.
She further underscored the erosion of institutional research capacity, noting that the Ministry once relied on robust in-house expertise and consistent knowledge generation. Today, she observed, both have markedly declined. Senator Rehman also expressed concern over Pakistan’s weakened participation in key international climate forums, stating that even when delegations attend, there is little strategic reporting, coordination, or follow-up once they return — leading to missed opportunities on the global stage.
During the meeting, the Committee also reviewed the status of wetland restoration projects across four provinces. Senator Rehman voiced alarm over the Ministry’s weak oversight and follow-through. She reminded officials that these projects had already been approved and funded in earlier phases, and only required provincial implementation — yet even this limited progress has now stalled. She called for urgent prioritization of existing wetland protection.
Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr.Musadik Malik, addressing the committee, reiterated that Pakistan emits 37% less carbon than its agreed threshold, yet receives a meagre $350 million in climate finance. He highlighted the global financing gap — estimated at $100 to $200 billion — and called for a more just and proportional distribution of funds, aligned with the actual emissions and adaptation needs of vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
In her concluding remarks, Senator Rehman urged the Ministry to rebuild institutional capacity and ensure full alignment of climate goals with national economic frameworks. She reiterated that the focus must remain on practical, research-driven, and results-oriented action.
Among those present were Senators Syed Waqar Mehdi, Bushra Anjum Butt, Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur, and Manzoor Ahmad, along with Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik and senior officials from the ministry, relevant departments and agencies.