Experts seek early operationalization of COP 27 fund to counter climate change.

PESHAWAR -- The environmental and political experts here on Wednesday said that the climate change was an international issue and underscored the need for early operationalization of the 'COP 27 loss and damage fund' to help control climate change-induced damages in 134 vulnerable countries including Pakistan.

Welcoming the COP 27's landmark decision to establish a fund to compensate losses and damages caused by the climate change related disasters including floods, cyclones, torrential rains and earthquakes, the experts said that its early implementation would immensely help provide the much-needed financial support to about 134 countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and other developing states.

'Establishment the fund is the long-awaited demand of developing countries and Pakistan and the consensus decision in this regard by COP27 at Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt was a significant step towards climate justice,' said Professor Dr A.H Hilali, former Chairman, Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar while talking to reporter.

The climate change's vulnerable countries, especially the Group of 77 and China besides Pakistan, were demanding for such a fund for the past 30 years, he said, adding that the Pakistani Government's positive role in this regard was also praised worthy. He said that Pakistan, as a chair of the Group 27 and China, had galvanized support for establishment of this fund that was also endorsed by the developing, GULF and SAARC.

Pakistan is most vulnerable to climate change's susceptibilities due to its geographical placement, high population growth, drought and deforestation as evident of the 2010 and 2022 devastating floods that brought havoc to almost all sectors of life in all provinces in Pakistan, he said.

He said that over USD 30 billion economic losses and damages were reported in Pakistan while over 30 million people were directly affected and hundreds of thousands displaced from Kalam Swat to Dadu Sindh province due to recent floods.

Dr Hilali underlined the need for urgency for early operationalization of the said fund to bridge a major gap in the climate finance architecture and assist all flood hit countries including Pakistan to rebuild its destroyed infrastructure including schools, colleges, roads, bridges, energy projects, agriculture, irrigation, forestry and wildlife projects.

Dr Mumtaz Malik, former Chief Conservator, KP Wildlife Department said that Pakistan had faced the brunt of...