A session on the sidelines of COP29 on Monday underscored the role of non-state actors and local communities in pushing for inclusive policy-making to counter climate change and address injustices often associated with the approach taken by the governments to fix the climate crisis.

The gathering, attended by climate activists and experts from Pakistan and the Philippines, was hosted by the Islamabad-based Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development at the Regional Climate Foundation Pavilion and focused on energy transition and community-led solutions.

Sustainable Development Policy Institute Research Fellow Dr Khalid Waleed highlighted the microcosm of global climate injustice in respective countries, saying just like the Global North-Global South divide, there were divisions within countries, including Pakistan.

During the event, Thar was highlighted in the discussion, with moderator Rimsha Rehan claiming the water table in Sindh had significantly receded due to coal mining.

On COP29 sidelines, environmentalists say Pakistan’s move towards local coal could be ‘counterproductive’

Dr Waleed said local coal was being presented as a solution by the government, but it was a non-sustainable solution, and non-state actors could push the administration to opt for long-term solutions. He referred to the energy “accessibility” crisis of the 2000s, which prompted the government to set up a lot of independent power plants or IPPs.

The short-sighted approach led to an affordability crisis as the energy prices were high in Pakistan, he said, adding the government now wanted to fix that issue using local coal.

Climate financing

Lidy Nacpil, a climate activist from the Philippines, argued that financing was key to climate action. “We are not begging for help; this finance is owed to us.”

Michael Sinocruz, a director at the Philippines Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, said there was a need for a massive awareness campaign to change behaviours and also prepare the communities for alternative livelihoods.

According to Mr Sinocruz, financing holds the key since governments can only restore infrastructure after disasters with their limited funds, but building back better requires international support.

Romil Hernandez of the Philippines-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities said the path to climate resilience lies in local leadership and community-driven action.

One of the recommendations put forth by the panellists was the reallocation of fossil fuel subsidies to renewable energy as a part of climate solutions.

Dr Waleed said the Pakistan government needed to make solar panels cheaper for an inclusive energy transition.

A report by Renewables First titled ‘The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan’, issued earlier this year, highlighted a “rapid increase in solar energy adoption” in Pakistan driven by unreliable power supply and rising prices.

The report, citing data from China and Pakistan, said in the fiscal year 2023-24, the value of solar panel imports of Pakistan from China approached $2.1 billion and this surge “positions Pakistan to exceed its 2030 Variable Renewable Energy” target of 30 per cent within months rather than years.

According to government officials, coal-powered energy is essential for baseline supply as it provides an uninterrupted source of energy, unlike renewables.

According to Basit Ghauri of Renewables First, Pakistan already has enough plants for baseload capacity, which is 25 gigawatts, while the total installed capacity is 43 gigawatts and a peak demand of 28 gigawatts.

He said the “necessity” of baseload demand was a “myth” because there are Norwegian and European grids operating on renewables for a substantial amount of days without powered fossil fuels.

This story was produced as part of the 2024 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organised by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024