National Responses To Climate Change: Implications For CPEC, Agriculture, And Socio-Economic Stability In Pakistan

Abstract

Climate change poses great challenges to Pakistan from the aggravation of socio-economic vulnerabilities, destabilization of agriculture, and straining the country's national infrastructure. Having a largely agrarian economy with heavy dependence on predictable climate patterns, there is a risk of irregular climate events in the name of floods, drought, and rising temperatures. In order to meet these crises, integrated responses balancing both development and environmental sustainability should be provided. The CPEC is one of Pakistan's flagship projects under Pakistan's development policy. This would, therefore, be an opportunity to revitalize the economy through increased trade, connectivity, and green energy initiatives, but this would lead to environmental degradation if the projects are not climate-sensitive in design. Therefore, this article focuses on the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies within CPEC, such as renewable energy investments, low-carbon infrastructure, and climate-resilient agricultural practices, to ensure sustainable development. A source of livelihood for millions and a strong constituent of Pakistan's GDP, agriculture suffers considerably from climate variability. With rising temperatures, erratic rainfalls, and melting glaciers, crop cycles and water availability are affected, hence posing a threat to food security. The research study advocates climate-smart agriculture, which may be drought-resistant crops, modern irrigation techniques, and precision farming. However, its extensive implementation is restricted due to lack of finance and infrastructure, mainly targeting smallholder farmers. The catastrophic 2022 floods demonstrate the socio-economic fragility of such vulnerable populations. It is, therefore imperative that policy-level initiatives complement and supplement community-based disaster preparedness and public awareness regarding resilience against future climate shocks. Pakistan should align its climate policies with international accords like the Paris Accord in an attempt to leverage CPEC as a base for sustainable development. Based on the article, this task demands strong governance, effective participation by stakeholders, and proactive investments in robust infrastructure and agriculture. This could ensure that Pakistan would harness its climate vulnerabilities to grow sustainably in the long term.