n September 13, a critical dialogue addressing the impacts of climate change on the cryosphere, water security, food sustainability and disaster risk reduction was held in Islamabad. The event brought together experts, policymakers and civil society representatives. All of them echoed the same urgent call: climate change is not an isolated environmental concern; it touches every aspect of life, from the mountains to the farms, and from water resources to human security.

The discussions underscored the growing threat posed by climate change, which is rapidly altering Pakistan’s natural landscapes and deeply affecting key sectors such as agriculture and water management.

The cryosphere, which includes glaciers and snow-covered regions, plays a critical role in maintaining water supply for nearly two billion people. For Pakistan, the stakes are particularly high. The Indus River, which provides fresh water to the country’s agricultural heartland, relies heavily on the water from the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalaya glaciers. Yet, this cryosphere remains an underexplored and underfunded part of our climate policy. The issue transcends national borders and must be viewed holistically; there is a need for data-sharing, knowledge hubs and coordinated regional approaches. We cannot continue to tackle climate challenges in silos.

Pakistan’s reliance on glacial melt water from the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan ranges is becoming increasingly vulnerable. With changing weather patterns and rising temperatures, these vital glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace. The long-term consequences could be disastrous, particularly for the country’s agriculture, which ranks third in the Global Climate Risk Index. The dialogue highlighted how water scarcity, exacerbated by climate variability, has the potential to cripple not just agriculture, but also entire communities.

There is a need for a paradigm shift- from reactive to proactive measures. While we have many policies in place, we are slow in implementing some of those. There is palpable frustration when discussing Pakistan’s reliance on external funding and the lack of real enforcement of court rulings related to climate change. It’s one thing to pass laws; it’s another to act upon them with the urgency they demand. This gap between policy and implementation is widening. If left unchecked, it will only deepen the vulnerability of our people to future crises.

The predictions are stark- agricultural productivity and water availability are expected to take a sharp decline if the current trends continue unchecked. With 93 per cent of Pakistan’s water consumed by agriculture, the inefficiency in water use is alarming. We continue to cultivate water-intensive crops that contribute little to the overall GDP while neglecting climate-smart agricultural practices that could yield more sustainable outcomes. There is a dire need for increased investment in climate-resilient crops and modern irrigation techniques. We need to think beyond traditional approaches to food security and water management. How can we incentivise farmers to switch to crops that are less water-intensive? What technologies can we introduce to make water use more efficient without causing immediate economic harm to already marginalised communities?

Policies, no matter how well crafted, are meaningless if not implemented effectively. We need a shift in how we approach climate governance, one that embraces accountability, cross-sectoral coordination, and, most importantly, the active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. 

Lack of reliable data and the ineffective application of existing information remain significant obstacles. What’s needed is more investment in data collection and the use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing, geographic information systems and real-time monitoring tools to mitigate climate impacts. These technologies, if used effectively, could help predict extreme weather events and improve disaster preparedness, particularly in high-risk areas. Early warning systems, for instance, could prevent catastrophic losses by providing timely information to vulnerable communities.

A pressing question we need to consider is the actual cost of prevention versus the cost of responding to disasters. The comparison of spending one dollar on prevention versus six dollars on response should prompt us to rethink our approach. We often find ourselves in a reactive mode—dealing with floods, droughts and food shortages—rther than addressing the root causes. If we continue down this path, we’re simply waiting for the next disaster to strike, rather than focusing on building the resilience we urgently need.

The National Adaptation Plan requires a complete overhaul. Risk communication needs to become a central pillar of climate resilience strategies, ensuring that at-risk populations are aware of the dangers they face and are prepared to act. Climate adaptation cannot be top-down. Community engagement is essential. Any effective policy must include grassroots perspectives to ensure its success. By incorporating local insights, we can bridge the gap between national policy and real-world application.

The dialogue reinforced the fact that climate change is not an abstract future threat but an ominous reality that requires immediate and decisive action. Policies, no matter how well crafted, are meaningless if not implemented effectively. We need a shift in how we approach climate governance, one that embraces accountability, cross-sectoral coordination, and, most importantly, the active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. It’s time to start acting.

The conversation must move from being government-led to being truly society-led. The private sector, civil society and local governments all have crucial roles to play. Solutions to these challenges exist; what’s missing is the political will and the collective action needed to bring them to life. For Pakistan, the future hinges on how quickly we can bridge this gap between policy and action—before the next disaster forces us to pay the ultimate price for our inaction.

The writer is a policy analyst and researcher with a master’s degree in public policy from King’s College, London