International Climate Agreements and Pakistan's National Climate Policies: Implementation, Gaps and Coping Strategies

Abstract

This study examines Pakistan’s alignment with international climate agreements, especially the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC, and evaluates the effectiveness of its national climate policies. The study is guided by the following research questions: (1) a) What are the specific institutional, socio-cultural, and governance barriers affecting the implementation of international climate agreements in Pakistan? b) How do Pakistan’s national climate policies align with its commitments under agreements such as the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC? c) What policy and strategic reforms can bridge the gap between Pakistan’s climate commitments and ground-level action? The objective is to critically evaluate the effectiveness of national climate policies in aligning with international climate agreements. Despite active participation in global climate frameworks, Pakistan faces significant challenges in implementing climate commitments owing to institutional inefficiencies, fragmented governance, financial constraints, and technical limitations.The research employs a qualitative case study design. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with 10 policymakers and experts, while secondary data included national reports, peer-reviewed literature, and global climate databases. The study focuses on four main themes: (1) alignment with international commitments, (2) institutional and legislative challenges, (3) financial limitations, and (4) coping strategies (adaptation and mitigation).The study reveals that while Pakistan has been able to work on few weather-related projects, such as climate-smart agriculture and the Indus River Initiative, such programs are poorly financed, both in terms of technical expertise and funds. Various forms of inefficiency, governance fragmentation and financial hardship act as barriers in the scaling up of climate actions. Some of the critical factors include lack of proper policy formulation, retrograde industrial techniques and deficient infrastructural development, which in turn, affect the capacity of Pakistan to achieve the set targets for reduction of greenhouse gases as well as combating climate change effects. This research uniquely triangulates expert interviews, focus group data, and policy analysis to offer an integrated view of the institutional, financial, and policy misalignments obstructing climate action in Pakistan.Additionally, it emphasizes the need to strengthen inter-institutional linkages and increase the climate financing pool, improve legislative instruments, and raise the level of necessary information in society. It calls for greater use of diplomacy and private sector involvement to deal with climate change. It also emphasizes the role of international cooperation and calls on the developed countries to honor their funding commitments. The study encourages regional cooperation for technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries, particularly the V20 and CVF. The findings indicate the deficits that Pakistan faces in areas such as structural reform and strategic management, further compounded by poor international cooperation. Concisely, the study offers targeted policy recommendations, such as strengthening inter-agency coordination, expanding domestic climate financing, enhanced focus for policy alignment and leveraging international diplomacy to secure green technology and funds tailored to Pakistan’s needs.