ISLAMABAD: Top judges, environmentalists and policymakers at a conference deliberated upon issues related to climate change and stressed the need to make it a mainstream issue.

The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan hosted the ‘Conference on climate change: navigating climate governance; executive action and judicial oversight’ at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa was chief guest at the conference, which was attended by members of the judiciary, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, lawyers, media and civil society.

The inaugural ceremony featured a keynote address by Dr Adil Najam, Dean and Professor at Boston University, who emphasised the critical nature of climate change for Pakistan.

Top judges, environmentalists stress need for coordinated executive action, judicial oversight to tackle challenges

Dr Najam posed three pivotal questions to frame the discourse: What is climate change? Is it an important issue? What can we, as Pakistanis, do about it? He highlighted Pakistan’s global responsibility to honour international climate commitments and urged for a shift towards viewing the environment as a fundamental aspect of citizenship and policy.

The first panel discussion on climate change challenges for Pakistan focused on the diverse geographical and meteorological challenges that the country faces. The panelists discussed urgent issues such as glacial lake outburst flooding, droughts, crop failures and urban heatwaves. They stressed the need for decisive government leadership and highlighted ongoing adaptation measures. The speakers underscored the necessity of confronting difficult decisions and taking proactive steps to address these pressing climate challenges.

The second panel addressed ‘climate governance’ by examining the division of responsibilities between federal and provincial bodies pos-18th amendment to the Constitution. The speakers highlighted the need for localised action, effective mapping of vulnerabilities and strengthening local governments.

They also discussed the existing architecture for coordinating adaptation and mitigation programs, emphasising vital role of non-state actors.

Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Eazaz Dar stressed the need for action from provincial and local governments.

Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan said the executive needed to step up to enable the judiciary play its part effectively and ultimately it will be the executive that will have to deal with the challenge.

Former minister for climate change Ahmad Irfan Aslam drew attention to the most visible manifestation of climate change and the adverse impacts of climate change on glaciers throughout the world.

The final panel discussion on ‘Courting climate change’, explored the judiciary’s role in climate governance and the limitations of executive action. Given Pakistan’s robust tradition of public interest litigation, the panelists reviewed recent developments in climate justice in Pakistani courts.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah said all the judges of the Supreme Court, high courts and the district judiciary must deal with climate change cases and make them mainstream like any other civil or criminal case.

Justice Ayesha A. Malik concluded her presentation with a message that “together let us craft solutions that protect the planet and its people.”

Justice Jawad Hasan said the judiciary had led the way in the climate change cases and it will lead the way especially by providing a secure environment for climate finance.

Mohammad Amir Munir, senior civil judge, stressed the need for development of climate change jurisprudence from the district judiciary.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam and Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov also spoke.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa closed the conference with words of caution against over-consumption and the need to act as stewards of not just humans but all living things.

The conference marked a significant step forward in Pakistan’s efforts to address climate change through coordinated executive action and judicial oversight.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2024