OP-29 is more than just another climate conference- it’s a pivotal moment, especially for developing nations like Pakistan, where the stakes are higher than ever. The global community continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change. This year presents an unparalleled opportunity for countries on the front lines of the crisis to push for real, lasting change. The year 2024 will see three major COPs - on climate change, biodiversity and land - unfold back-to-back. For Pakistan, this is a moment to raise its voice, to make clear that the climate crisis is not just an abstract concern for the future but a tangible threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions today.

Despite contributing less than one per cent to global carbon emissions, Pakistan faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change: catastrophic floods, blistering heat waves and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. At COP-29, Pakistan must push for long overdue financial commitments from developed nations, particularly in the area of adaptation and loss and damage. The climate conversation has for too long focused on mitigation, but for countries like Pakistan, the ability to adapt to an already changing climate is a matter of survival. Climate finance must address this reality, moving beyond vague promises and translating into concrete support that can help vulnerable nations build resilience in the face of an uncertain future.

Biodiversity loss and land degradation are two sides of the same coin when it comes to Pakistan’s environmental challenges. The COPs on biodiversity and desertification offer a unique opportunity to address these interlinked crises head-on. For a country where agriculture forms the........

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