Pakistan must undertake an overhaul and integration of its climate governance and social protection systems to withstand the rising frequency and severity of climate shocks, experts said at the Fifth Annual International Conference — A New Global Order, Yet Again — organised by the IBA.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Climate Change and Social Protection,” leading climate specialists, researchers and development practitioners stressed that the country’s fragmented and reactive policies are no longer sufficient in an era of intensifying heatwaves, floods, droughts, water scarcity and socioeconomic vulnerability. They argued that climate change and social protection can no longer operate as separate agendas, calling for deeper integration to shield communities from mounting risks.

Climate policy expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh opened the session by tracing the evolution of the global “Loss and Damage” agenda—from early negotiations in the 1990s to major milestones such as the Bali Action Plan, the Cancun Adaptation Framework, and the recent operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28. He pointed out that while Pakistan champions the issue internationally and frequently cites its climate vulnerability, it has been absent from many critical negotiations that shape global financing frameworks. With COP30 in Brazil expected to finalise key access modalities, Sheikh warned that Pakistan’s inconsistent diplomatic engagement could undermine its ability to secure its share of climate financing. “We champion global climate justice, but we often don’t show up at the tables where it is being shaped,” he said. “If we want results, we must be present, prepared and aligned with global developments.”

However, he argued that Pakistan’s challenges extend far beyond international negotiations. At home, outdated local governance systems, many stemming from colonial-era legislation, lack the capacity, authority and resources to respond effectively to climate emergencies. Local governments, he said, are the weakest link in Pakistan’s climate response, undermined by political interference, poor coordination and minimal fiscal decentralisation. Karachi’s shelved Climate Action Plan was cited as a prime example of how bureaucratic inertia and weak local decision-making impede climate resilience. “If local governments remain disempowered, climate adaptation will remain stuck on paper,” Sheikh warned.

Panellists noted that Pakistan’s academic and policy institutions have also struggled to keep pace with evolving global climate frameworks. Universities and think tanks, they said, must play a more active role in climate literacy, policy research and evidence-based advocacy to support national decision-making.

Another major theme was the urgent need to involve Pakistan’s youth, who make up two-thirds of the population, in meaningful climate action. Dr Saima Bashir of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) highlighted that only 12% of young people currently participate in policy or climate planning processes. She described youth participation as largely symbolic, pointing to the absence of structured training, climate-focused educational curricula and dedicated budgetary allocations for youth-led climate initiatives. “If we treat youth as photo opportunities rather than policy partners, we will miss the greatest opportunity for long-term resilience,” she said.

Yasir Hussain, Director of the Climate Action Centre, added that youth engagement is further hindered by deep urban–rural divides. Urban youth typically enjoy better access to information, digital platforms and environmental awareness, whereas rural youth face limited access to education and climate literacy tools. He called for targeted training programmes that integrate climate awareness with workforce development, arguing that Pakistan’s emerging green economy could be a major source of employment if youth are properly prepared.

“Our young people are already living through the consequences of climate change,” he said. “The frustration you see among them comes from a lack of meaningful avenues to participate in solutions.” Gender vulnerability was another critical focus of the discussion. Panellists noted that women, who make up 24% of Pakistan’s workforce and are concentrated in informal and climate-exposed sectors, suffer disproportionately during climate disasters. Social protection programmes, such as cash transfers and emergency support systems, often assume male heads of households, overlooking intra-family inequalities that leave women and children more vulnerable.

Dr Bashir recalled presenting a gender analysis of the PSDP in the National Assembly, only to face resistance when revealing that just 1.4% of PSDP projects were gender-segregated. “If gender isn’t recognised in budgeting, it won’t be recognised in climate response,” she said.