Pakistan Faces Major Natural Resource Losses by 2070 Due to Climate Crisis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may experience severe declines in natural resources by 2070 as climate change disrupts sectors like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned in a recent report. Expected losses in these critical sectors are projected to reach 12% of Pakistan’s GDP, marking the highest percentage loss in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024, published by the ADB, emphasizes the immense economic challenges countries across the region will face due to accelerated climate impacts.

Labour Productivity and Economic Losses

Heat waves and declining labour productivity represent significant contributors to these economic losses. By 2070, productivity losses could reduce Pakistan’s GDP by 10.4%, a figure nearly as high as India’s 11.6% loss and surpassing that of other Southeast Asian nations. The report forecasts further that, as sea levels rise and storms intensify, economic damage will increase due to the cumulative cost of repairing and adapting infrastructure.

Severe Risks for Low-Income Regions

The economic impact of climate change is expected to hit hardest in low-income regions, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, where increased coastal flooding, heat waves, and reduced natural resource productivity could devastate local economies. Poor communities, reliant on agriculture and fisheries, are particularly vulnerable as these resources degrade. The report also highlights the increasing risks of severe storms and rising sea levels, which could threaten up to 300 million people across the Asia-Pacific region by 2070. Coastal cities are especially at risk, with trillions of dollars in assets potentially damaged by coastal inundation and rising water levels.

The report underscores the urgent need for policymakers to boost adaptation financing and implement proactive measures to address climate risks.