ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Senator Sherry Rehman Friday called for COP31 in Antalya to move beyond declarations and deliver a credible, accessible and equitable climate financing framework, warning that Pakistan and other climate-vulnerable countries were being pushed into a dangerous cycle of disasters, debt and declining development opportunities.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Senator Rehman expressed her appreciation for Turkiye’s hosting of COP31 and its Presidency of this critical global climate conference, recognising Turkiye’s role in bringing the international community together at a time of growing geopolitical divisions and escalating climate emergencies.
“Pakistan deeply appreciates Turkiye’s leadership in hosting COP31. As a close friend and longstanding partner, Turkiye understands the devastating human and economic costs of climate disasters. Its Presidency offers an important opportunity to bridge divisions between developed and developing countries and restore confidence in multilateral climate action.
“We hope the Antalya conference will be remembered not simply for renewed pledges, but for translating climate solidarity into concrete financial commitments and meaningful outcomes for vulnerable nations.”
Referring to the UN Secretary-General’s address at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, where he warned that “fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs”, Senator Rehman stressed that the world could no longer afford the contradiction between climate commitments and continued support for fossil fuels.
“Governments cannot continue subsidising the very industries driving the climate crisis while pleading scarcity of resources when vulnerable countries demand climate finance. Global fossil fuel subsidies are estimated at approximately $7 trillion.
“This is an extraordinary misallocation of resources at a time when countries on the climate frontlines are struggling to finance basic adaptation, resilience and recovery. The question is not whether the world has the resources, but whether it has the political will to redirect them,” Senator Rehman said.
She warned that the global temperature trajectory was becoming increasingly alarming, with the 1.5°C goal slipping further out of reach. According to Climate Action Tracker, current policies put the world on course for approximately 2.7 degrees centigrade of warming by the end of the century, up from its previous estimate of 2.6 degrees centigrade.
“The 1.5 degrees centigrade threshold is no longer alive, a 2.7 degrees centigrade trajectory would have devastating consequences for countries like Pakistan, where climate extremes are already undermining livelihoods, food security, water availability and economic stability.
“The cost of inaction will be measured in lost lives, displaced communities and development reversed by decades.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s escalating climate vulnerability, Senator Rehman recalled that the devastating floods of 2022 affected 33 million people and caused approximately $30 billion in damages and losses.
Agricultural losses from the 2025 floods alone have been estimated at $1 billion.
“These are not isolated disasters. They represent a recurring assault on Pakistan’s economy, food security, infrastructure and development prospects. Pakistan is not asking for charity. We are demanding climate justice, financial accountability and a fair international system,” she said.
