In a compelling interview, Musadik Malik, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Government of Pakistan, delves deep into the catastrophic impacts of climate change in Pakistan, from devastating floods in Sindh to the melting glaciers in the northern regions. He discusses the duality of responsibility – the global carbon giants who continue to pollute while consuming the majority of green financing, and Pakistan’s own neglect of its natural resources, resulting in poisoned rivers, disappearing wildlife, and choking smog. Mr. Malik outlines his vision for a green industrial strategy, and moving beyond symbolic conferences to actionable international cooperation, making a compelling case for Pakistan to not just survive the climate crisis, but to transform it into an opportunity for green economic growth.
Q: Minister, why has climate change become such a painful issue for Pakistan?
A: It has certainly become a significant one. It is why I said that one must look at Pakistan from multiple angles – economic, social, and environmental. You look at Pakistan from the angle of climate change, and you can see the painful veins running through every aspect of our society.
It seems that there is an entire network of painful veins coursing through our nation. The challenges of climate change are intensifying. The problem is that the abuse that exists in climate change – the reckless damage we inflict on our environment – has a long gestation period. You don’t see the consequences immediately. But when a decade or so passes, the devastation becomes apparent.
Q: Can you elaborate on the devastation caused by climate change?
A: Consider the recent flooding in Sindh. Almost half of the province was submerged. Villages were washed away, children were orphaned, and centuries-old cultural heritage was lost to the sea. It was as if someone had thrown a stone into the ocean – and now, we can’t even tell where the stone fell. The behavior change we needed to see in response to these disasters simply hasn’t happened. We continue with the same mindset, ignoring the urgency of the situation.
I visited the northern areas, and they showed me potential GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) sites. They explained how glaciers, which have been accumulating ice for millions of years, are now at risk of bursting due to rising temperatures. It’s not like the ice we see in our refrigerators – it’s centuries-old compact ice that behaves differently. As
temperatures rise, this ice can rapidly melt, forming lakes within the glacier itself. If those lakes burst, the resulting Floods can be catastrophic.
We continue with the same mindset, ignoring the urgency of the situation.
Q: How catastrophic are we talking?
A: Imagine a sea of water, trapped at an altitude of 18,000 to 30,000 feet, suddenly breaking free. It would unleash torrents of water, carrying massive boulders and debris the size of entire rooms. If a village, a home, or a place of worship lies in the path of that flood, the consequences are unimaginable. This isn’t hypothetical – it’s already happened in some areas, and the risk continues to grow.
Q: Who is responsible for this? Is it Pakistan or the rest of the world?
A: There are two answers to this. First, is the one that gives us an excuse to point fingers and avoid accountability. We could say that the major carbon emitters – the top 10 countries that produce over 75% of global emissions – are responsible. Two countries alone contribute nearly 47% of the world’s carbon emissions. And the same countries are also consuming 80-85% of the green financing meant to combat climate change. So, they are polluting and also taking the funds meant to address the damage.
But here’s the real answer – and it’s much harder to accept. We have to look at what we are doing locally. The disappearing butterflies, the vanishing woodpeckers, the smog choking Lahore – these aren’t caused by foreign nations. We have ravaged our own ecosystems, cut down our own trees, and poisoned our own rivers. We can’t blame foreign powers for every environmental loss we experience.
Q: How do we reconcile these two realities?
A: We need to hold global polluters accountable, yes. But we also need to acknowledge our own contribution to the crisis. Pakistan’s carbon footprint might be negligible compared to global giants, but the environmental destruction we have caused in our own backyards is undeniable. We must act locally while advocating globally, and that requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive responsibility and urgency.
Q: What about the argument that developed countries took decades to transition from industrialization to a green economy? Why can’t we follow that model?
A: That’s a valid point. Countries like Finland and China leveraged their environmental crises to become global exporters of green technology. Finland, for instance, was once a tire and rubber manufacturer. But they realized that they were destroying their forests to produce rubber, so they pivoted. Today, they export one-third of the world’s environmental technology. China, once infamous for its polluted cities, is now the largest exporter of solar technology. We can learn from these examples, but we need a clear strategy to identify three or four green technologies in which we can develop a competitive edge.
Q: What steps are being taken to develop this strategy?
A: We are in the process of identifying key areas where Pakistan can establish a green industrial cluster. This means not only adopting green technologies but also producing and exporting them. We are consulting with young scientists and innovators to focus on areas where Pakistan can excel. The goal is to transform our vulnerabilities into strengths – to turn environmental crises into economic opportunities.
Q: How do you intend to involve the youth in this transition?
A: The youth are our greatest asset. They are not as cynical as we are – they still believe in change. We want to harness their dreams, their skills, and their knowledge to develop green industries. The challenge is to create a framework that brings together their innovation and our environmental goals. We’re working to engage young graduates, particularly those who have specialized in environmental sciences and engineering, to lead the charge in green entrepreneurship.
Q: What about international cooperation? Who can be Pakistan’s key partners in going green?
A: We have the United Nations, bilateral partners, and international institutions operating in Islamabad. But they, too, need to move beyond symbolic conferences and glossy reports. We need to operationalize these partnerships to create tangible outcomes – funding for green projects, technology transfer, and capacity building. We can no longer afford to be passive recipients of foreign aid; we must become proactive partners in shaping the green economy of the future.
We’re working to engage young graduates, particularly those who have specialized in environmental sciences and engineering, to lead the charge in green entrepreneurship.
