Pakistan, ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, is facing devastating losses of $4 billion annually. At a recent workshop, experts emphasized the need for transparent use of climate fundsclimate funds to support projects tackling climate change effectively.
Kashif Ali, Executive Director of Transparency International Pakistan, highlighted the severity of the issue, citing the destruction of 80% of crops in Sindh during the 2022 floods, affecting 30 million people. He stressed the importance of local-level training on mitigating climate change.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh, former Vice Chancellor of Sindh Madressatul Islam University, emphasized the need for journalists to use the Right to Information (RTI) for accurate reporting. He noted that Pakistan’s RTI usage is low due to lack of awareness, unlike India, which saw 1.6 million RTI requests in a year.
Shabina Faraz, chief of Green Media Initiative, shared her experience as Pakistan’s first woman environmental journalist and introduced environment journalism in Urdu. She established cohorts of female environmental journalists to focus on climate change reporting and highlight women’s issues in climate disasters.
Dr. Uzma Shujaat, Board of Trustee, Transparency International, warned that climate change threats are now a reality, citing alarming temperatures in Karachi. She emphasized the need for proactive measures, not just reactive responses to devastation.
Fariha Fatima, session chair, highlighted Transparency International’s work in raising awareness, identifying issues, and supporting climate change victims. The organization aims to combat corruption and promote effective climate governance.
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