Rida

Headed to #Antalya for #COP31, and a quick rethink of what is at stake for climate change, with direct impacts on the people who suffer the lived reality of heat 🔥 from emissions that won’t go down. The host this time is Turkiye, while Australia will lead the negotiations. The Turkiye presidency is right in identifying a massive global adaptation finance gap of $ 5.6-7.1 trillion. #MurutKurum also says that the 1.5 C goal of the seminal Paris CoP, ten years ago, is a “matter of survival”. But 1.5 is no longer alive, as the big carbon hitters have blown past the target. Because inaction from big polluters has become the norm. Just before the conference, we saw new data on how GHG emissions reached record highs instead of lows. We saw the persistence of chronic inequality, as the richest 0.1 % of humanity continues to cook more carbon than half the world’s population. We saw low emission countries like Pakistan at less than 1 %, struggle on their own, more or less, to recover from recurring climate catastrophes that ravage the country in mega floods, droughts, scorching summer temperatures peaking at 53 C, and rapid glacial melt. The trouble is that all actions and commitments are voluntary. A trickle of the pledged funds arrive on the doorstep of indebted countries with more debt built into the floor. In 2022, 58 developing countries spent $59 billion MORE on debt repayments than they received in climate finance. In 2024 only 29 % of climate finance to developing countries was grant financing, while 67-73 % came as loans. This is not charity, nor is it a transfer of largesse. It is a fraction of what the carbon absorbing, burning countries are due. No one guarantees outcomes. Either on reducing emissions or delivering survival financing. Because that is what adaptation financing is for countries where each summer brings death & destruction. It is survival financing. The clock is ticking and many tipping points have been crossed. It may not be enough but it is still important for COP31 to seek equitable fossil fuel transitions, climate finance, and global urban resilience. It tells us that multilateralism has not lost its voice, even if it has lost its power. #Climatechange with no brakes could be a death sentence for those of us living in the arc of extreme vulnerability. It is crucial for conference rooms to hear these home truths. The wealthier nations need to step on their NDCs to turn down emissions. Countries like Pakistan have already gone past our promise for 2030. We are already at transitioning past 50 % of our energy to renewables. So the new global goal of “35 at 35” is not a big ambition. ( 35 % renewable at 2035). The bar for the world going renewable at scale needs to be higher if many countries like the small island states are even to see the rest of this century. I see a need for IDCs too, in the shape of Internationally Determined Contributions of financing. What goes on in Pakistan will not stay in Pakistan. What we are going through today others will have to go through as well. This need not play out as an inevitable doomsday scenario for anyone. But it will, as unliveable heat and catastrophic events take lives and uproot homes, if this trajectory continues. Those in an arc of privilege need to heed the wake up calls.

Crucial #resilient housing landmark. Relentlessly pursued by @BBhuttoZardari

Great to see

Horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic death of journalist Rabia Ahsan, another young professional woman whose life has been cut short in Rawalpindi. Reports alleging that she was killed by someone close are profoundly disturbing. Even as verifications come in I condemn this horrific killing in the strongest possible terms. Such acts of violence against women are utterly reprehensible, indefensible and must never be tolerated. No woman should have to live in fear for her life, least of all within her own home. Only a few months ago, another young professional woman was killed in the same city, and we are still waiting for answers and justice. How many more women must lose their lives before violence against women is treated with the seriousness and urgency it demands? I call upon all concerned to ensure an immediate, thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into Rabia Ahsan’s death. The circumstances surrounding this tragedy must be fully established, and anyone found responsible must face the full force of the law. There must be no impunity, no cover-up and no compromise on justice. Rabia Ahsan and every woman whose life has been taken through violence deserve nothing less.

Sorry to be missing the first day keynote. Was looking forward to doing this #Margallahdialogue