In the last decade, ice in the Himalayan region has shrunk by 65% compared to the previous decade. South Asia could lose up to 75% of its glacier volume by the end of the century. The request for climate financing to alleviate the effects and the compromise solution adopted in Baku, considered insufficient by developing countries.
Milan (/Agencies) – Triple by 2035 the protection fund for developing countries against climate catastrophes, with the goal of reaching 300 billion dollars a year. A commitment, however, far from the needs, estimated at 1.3 trillion dollars a year. This is the disputed result of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP29, held in Baku (Azerbaijan), and which had precisely the issue of climate financing as one of its central points.
How climate change is already a crucial issue for many areas of the world can be seen in the appeal launched in Baku by Pakistan over the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recalled how the country, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, is among the worst affected by extreme weather events. The 2022 monsoon floods, which killed 1,700 people, displaced millions, destroyed crops and homes, and caused economic losses estimated at $30 billion, are a clear example.
The accelerated melting of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, highlighted in the Cryosphere 2024 report presented at the summit, is one of the biggest threats. This vast glacial expanse, the largest in the world after the Arctic and Antarctic, is a source of water supply for the main rivers of Asia and supports more than 1.6 billion people. However, in the last ten years, the Hindu Kush ice has shrunk by 65% compared to the previous decade and, according to the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), South Asia could lose up to 75%. % of the volume of its glaciers at the end of the century. This scenario would have a dramatic impact on water resources, hydropower production and climate migration, especially in downstream regions.
Pakistan is trying to tackle the climate crisis with ambitious plans such as Project Green Pakistan, an initiative that aims to produce 60% of energy from renewable sources and convert 30% of vehicles to electric by 2030. However, as Sharif said, the country cannot do it alone.
During his speech, the Prime Minister reiterated that international support is crucial to protect millions of people, safeguard natural resources and ensure a sustainable future. The global community must act urgently to curb emissions and counter the damage caused by global warming, which continues to disproportionately affect countries like Pakistan, which have been challenged by extreme heat waves, abnormal rainfall and frequent flooding.
At COP29, leaders of major countries in the Hindu Kush region, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Pakistan, emphasized the need for greater cooperation between affected states. Kama Tshering, secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Bhutan, proposed three main action plans: monitoring dangers in the cryosphere, implementing early warning systems and investing in resilient and durable infrastructure. The Prime Minister of Bhutan also praised the work of ICIMOD, which provides a platform for States in the region to make their voices heard on a global scale. “Together we can create a sustainable and resilient future for the Hindu Kush Himalayan region,” said Romina Khursheed Alam, coordinator of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Coordination.
Add Comment