Climate change threatens to push 'half of Pakistan' to food insecurity by 2030

Local and foreign experts have raised alarms about the potential for widespread food insecurity in Pakistan, warning that up to half of the population could be affected by 2030 due to a severe water scarcity and the escalating impacts of climate change.

This dire message emerged during a two-day symposium on 'Climate Change, Agriculture, Human Nutrition, and Development in Pakistan', hosted by the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), The News reported.

The symposium, which was held in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Pakistan (SDSN), concluded on Saturday and featured discussions on the intersection of climate issues, food security, and public health.

In his closing remarks, Professor Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, founding director of the IGHD at the Agha Khan University (AKU), emphasised the urgent need for innovative solutions to address these interconnected challenges.

"With 90% of Pakistan’s agriculture reliant on the threatened Indus River system, glacial melting and erratic rainfall patterns are driving us toward unprecedented food shortages," he cautioned.

Quoting Prof Sir Andrew Haines from the London School of Hygiene and  Tropical Medicine, he pointed out that humanity had breached six of nine planetary boundaries, including climate change and biodiversity loss, pushing global systems into dangerous zones.

Additionally, experts at the event highlighted how climate change exacerbated gender inequities, disproportionately impacting women who make up 40% to 60% of Pakistan’s agricultural labour force but remained marginalised in decision-making.

They also pointed out high levels of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in Pakistan as urgent problems requiring immediate action. 

The chief guest of the concluding session, Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar, Sindh Planning and Development secretary, stressed the urgency of collaborative efforts. 

"Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality that demands innovative and inclusive solutions," he stated, reiterating the importance of platforms like the symposium for bridging research and policymaking.

Dr Tania Bubela, AKU provost, highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary efforts to address these challenges. "Climate change is a multidimensional crisis that requires cooperation across all sectors. AKU remains committed to leading evidence-based initiatives for a sustainable future," she said.

AKU Dean Dr Adil Haider echoed these sentiments emphasising the institution’s role in connecting academic research to practical solutions. 

"As a leading academic institution in the region, AKU is focused on inspiring solutions that strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable development," he said.

The conference’s inaugural session on Friday featured Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission, who announced plans to raise Rs100 million to establish a national platform of experts dedicated to addressing climate-induced challenges.

This platform, a brainchild of Dr Bhutta, aims to unite experts in health, agriculture, food security and nutrition to work cohesively rather than in silos. 

Dr Ahmed emphasised the importance of equipping Pakistan with innovative, locally-driven solutions and praised AKU for fostering dialogue on climate change's most pressing challenges.

Prof Sir Andrew Haines discussed the implications of climate change on planetary health and development, while Dr Lynette Neufeld, director of food and nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organisation, highlighted how climate change exacerbated malnutrition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan.

Dr Haris Gazdar from the Collective for Social Science Research delved into the gender dimensions of food insecurity, emphasising the disproportionate burden on rural women. 

Technical sessions explored actionable solutions. Dr Abid Suleri from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) presented cost-effective climate investments needed for Pakistan.

Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, discussed biotechnology solutions for improving rice and wheat production. 

Dr Mehreen Mujtaba from the federal ministry of health addressed the challenges of nutrition policies in the face of worsening climate impacts. Dr Jai K Das from the AKU shed light on how prolonged heat exposure disproportionately affects women and children in rural areas.

A panel discussion, featuring Dr Suleri, Dr Mujtaba, Tatyana Al-Kour, and others, called for adopting innovative solutions to mitigate climate change's effects on food security, health, and nutrition. 

The speakers highlighted how nature-based solutions and well-designed climate mitigation strategies could reduce risks and improve resilience.

Concluding the symposium, Dr Bhutta reiterated the urgency of shifting from reactive measures to proactive strategies. "We must act now to ensure a sustainable future, leveraging evidence-based approaches to combat these challenges," he said. 

The event concluded with commitments to fostering interdisciplinary research and actionable solutions for sustainable development.