Impact of Climate Change on Pakistan and Proposed Solutions: Evidence from Literature

Abstract

The current research examines the impact of climate change on Pakistan (social, economic & environmental) and proposed solutions from existing literature. For this purpose, the qualitative research design was adopted, and literature has been taken from the last ten years' papers, articles, reports, and books. However, for the analysis of impacts, the most recent year-2023 literature has been taken from international journals. The result was divided into a total of four themes: a) social, b) economic, c) environmental impacts, and d) mitigation strategies for climate change in Pakistan. Results and findings showed that climate change has negatively affected the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the people of Pakistan, especially, people who are associated with agriculture and livestock. Frequent droughts, urban flooding, land-sliding, cyclones, earth-quick, etc., not only disturb social life but also have several negative economic implications such as decreases the per capita income, loss of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and food security and safety. Though, Pakistan, being a developing country, has signed many agreements with international organizations like United Nations (UN), World Bank (WB), etc to overcome the negative effects of climate change. Despite strategies and efforts, still Pakistan has failed to achieve its targets due to a lack of funds, political disinterest, lack of awareness among common people about climate change, and administrative inefficiencies as well. The political and administrative seriousness about climate change can make the possible outcomes to overcome the inverse implications of climate change in Pakistan.