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KARACHI: Climatic disasters in Pakistan have been higher than both global and regional averages in 2000-2024, as well as in the preceding two decades, according to a detailed report by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) included in the half-yearly State Bank Economy report.
Pakistan faces a particularly challenging position. On the one hand, it is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries despite contributing very little to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the other hand, it needs to develop its economy and increase GDP growth, while decreasing emission intensity.
“This is indeed a daunting challenge, considering that decoupling of GDP growth,” said the SBP report.
In the long term, World Bank (2022) estimates show that Pakistan’s GDP is projected to fall by 4.5-6.5pc by 2050 due to climate change in the optimistic scenario, and by as much as 7-9pc in the pessimistic scenario, with agriculture and industry the most exposed sectors.
