Pakistan is the most vulnerable country in terms of climate change. According to research, it has experienced more than 150 climate extreme events during 1998-2018. Several hazards such as repetitive floods, droughts and heatwaves have impacted the country’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 13, which is related to climate action.

Goal 13 has several targets related to climate change including strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters; integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

The recent monsoon floods have wreaked havoc in 88 districts of the country. To date, more than 1,300 people have died and more than 12,000 have been injured. 1.7 million houses have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged. More than 33 million people have been affected, out of which 13 million are children. The major sources of livelihood in the affected areas are farming, livestock and small shops. It is feared that all crops have been swept away. 753,187 livestock are dead, including buffaloes, cows, sheep, donkeys and camels. Data related to small shops, dhabaas and the hospitality sector has yet to be reported.

These floods have deeply impacted our economy. Pakistan needs $10-12 billion for rehabilitation. Inflation is projected to shoot up and, according to some media reports, will touch 30 percent during the current fiscal year.

These floods have affected the country in all sectors, be it health, education, transport, agriculture, hospitality or textiles. Let’s run through the impact of these floods in some of the major sectors to get a better idea of the scale of devastation caused by the calamity.

Currently, there is a huge burden on the health sector. There is an outbreak of waterborne diseases in flood affected areas. People are suffering from skin allergies, cholera and stomach and respiratory infections. Children are malnourished and many do not even have access to milk. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 650,000 women are expected to deliver by the end of September. They will need special care and attention. Basic medicines will not suffice them.

According to the UNICEF, approximately 18,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed across the country. There is fear of increased drop-out due to poverty. This not only affects the overall well-being of girls but can also spur more early age marriages.

Floods have damaged 6,579 kilometres of roads across Pakistan and 256 bridges have collapsed. These roads and bridges were the conduit for local people to access food, jobs and businesses. Many people have lost their main source of income leaving millions unemployed.

The Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been particularly rich in agricultural sector but the floods have damaged rice and cotton crops as well as vegetables like onions and tomatoes. There is increased risk of food insecurity and a looming threat of inflation. There is a huge risk that many farmers will be unable to plant the next crop. Many farmers have lost stored wheat to floods. Around 40 percent of the labour force involved in agriculture has been affected.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, many hotels had been constructed on riverbeds. This raises questions regarding the vigilance of relevant authorities. The tourism sector will take a major hit from the devastation.

Where do we stand when it comes to progress in achieving targets set under SDG 13?

In targets related to policy landscape, we have achieved some progress. According to the Federal SGDs Secretariat, we have 19 Acts, 5 ordinances and several policies related to climate change. However, these policies are not integrated with other departmental needs and limitations.

There are other challenges as well that hinder progress in achieving targets under SDG 13. These include institutional structure, resource mobilisation, partnerships and participation, and monitoring and evaluation. Another reason is the devolution of powers under the 18^th Amendment. In-depth assessment of linkages between the goals and evaluation of policy interventions remains a task that needs to be undertaken with further research to ensure the delivery of the 2030 Agenda.

There is a need for proper coordination to better implement and monitor the SDGs. Data collection is a huge challenge. There is a need for collecting quality data as well as making it easily available to the public and experts.

We have apparently not learnt enough from the floods of 2010 and were unprepared for this year’s floods. There is a need for the collection and assessment of data so that mitigation efforts can be undertaken accordingly. Rehabilitation cost should be assessed as per data for schools and houses. Relevant institutions should be prepared for disasters like floods.

Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent to global emissions and yet, we are at the receiving end. It is high time that developing countries, particularly Pakistan, prepare their case for the forthcoming Conference of Parties (COP27) to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the loss and damage incurred due to climate related events. Developed countries should fulfil their promise of providing $100 billion under the Paris Agreement.

Pakistan’s losses and damage due to floods and heatwaves have been frequent. Our glaciers are melting and we are losing our heritage sites due to climate events. Now is the time for our media to initiate conversation based on issues like climate change.

The writer is a US-based environmentalist. She is a visiting senior research associate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. She tweets at @S_Maryam8