As one of those nations most severely impacted by climate change, Pakistan is at a critical juncture. We are committed to combating its effects and mitigating its causes, as evidenced by our role as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, with a target to halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

However, we know that these are equally gigantic tasks that no single entity can accomplish alone. The developed world has long understood that climate change is one of the few challenges demanding a truly collective global effort. In our own country, this same principle holds true.

Neither stringent regulatory measures alone, nor community mobilisation, nor the efforts of any single key player can yield the significant results we need. This challenge requires a concerted and unified response from all sectors of our society to create meaningful and lasting change.

However, a crucial question remains: do our climate governance leaders truly understand that without collective action, our efforts to both combat and mitigate climate change will be disjointed and ultimately ineffective? The last 25 years of environmental protection and rehabilitation in Pakistan offer a stark example of this very problem.

Since the introduction of a regulatory framework for pollution control, we've seen a fragmented approach. The sole objective of regulators has often been to enforce laws without fully considering the challenges faced by businesses. In other cases, powerful........

© The Express Tribune