Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry presented five key recommendations for climate-vulnerable economies while addressing a high-level parliamentary dialogue titled “Adapting under Austerity: Delivering Paris Commitments in Debt-Stressed, Climate-Vulnerable Economies” at the Pakistan Pavilion during the COP31 climate conference in Antalya.
Lawmakers, climate experts, and international partners hailing from Pakistan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Japan convened during the session to investigate methods for heavily indebted nations to meet their Paris Agreement climate obligations.
At #COP31, PM @CMShehbaz powerfully presented the case of Pakistan and all developing nations bearing the brunt of climate change. Contributing less than 1% of global emissions, Pakistan suffered the 2022 floods that affected 33 million people. He highlighted our clean energy… pic.twitter.com/xvNyPxUTLH
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya, stating, “When climate disasters strike, vulnerable countries need timely help and finance that does not deepen their debt.” According to Sharif, Pakistan requires approximately $138 billion by the year 2035 for low-carbon power production alongside an additional $50 billion to substitute coal with solar energy.
Chaudhry initially proposed integrating climate resilience into fiscal and tax frameworks by requiring climate impact evaluations for significant economic choices to prevent escalating the expenses tied to sustainable progress. In addition, he emphasized protecting the shift toward renewable energy through consistent and reliable guidelines that avoid penalizing families and enterprises putting money into green power. “In just two years, Pakistan has added nearly 22 gigawatts of rooftop solar capacity. We are also expanding nuclear power, while clean energy sources now provide nearly 55% of our energy mix,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
As I depart from Antalya, I carry with me deep appreciation for the warmth and affection of my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. His powerful address yesterday, particularly his moving words on the plight of the people of Gaza, was among the most poignant moments of…
He also said that under the new Auto Policy, the country aims for 30% of new vehicles to be electric by 2030. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and senior federal ministers, Sharif traveled to Türkiye for the summit held from November 9 to November 20, where Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted world leaders.
During his diplomatic engagements, Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss regional developments and international challenges.
As his third point, Chaudhry pressed authorities and financial institutions to view adaptation as a productive asset instead of a basic cost, pointing out that investing in climate-resilient agriculture, water management, early warning systems, and disaster-resistant infrastructure significantly reduces future recovery costs. Fourth, he pushed for an overhaul of the international financial debt system via debt-for-climate swaps, climate-contingent clauses, concessional financing, and extended repayment schedules so disaster-prone countries are not forced to sacrifice essential development.
Sharif added, “Let us resolve to power our economies without impoverishing our people and light up our homes without darkening our planet.” Shehbaz Sharif said that governments cannot continue subsidizing the industries driving the climate crisis while pleading scarcity of resources.
Delighted to meet my dear brother, President @RTErdogan , on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya. I thanked him for Türkiye's warm and generous hospitality. We reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic and brotherly bonds between Pakistan and Türkiye, and agreed to… pic.twitter.com/0ZEHuObcY5
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability, Senator Rehman recalled that the 2022 floods affected 33 million people and caused approximately $30 billion in damages and losses. Sharif also thanked Turkish leadership and people for supporting Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2010 and 2022, recalling flash floods in northwestern Pakistan in August 2025 where a young man’s village was struck just days before his wedding.
To conclude, Chaudhry advocated for enhancing legislative supervision over climate funds by mandating yearly reports concerning climate-linked taxes, subsidies, monetary distributions, and quantifiable adaptation results, making sure country-level economic structures stay completely consistent with Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plan.
Alhamdulillah, PM @CMShehbaz concludes a successful visit to Türkiye. At the COP31 Antalya Leaders' Summit, he gave voice to millions in the developing world who contribute least to climate change yet suffer most, showcased Pakistan's clean energy leadership, and made clear that… pic.twitter.com/skSqNGZ8TP
He observed that tackling the climate emergency demands united efforts on a single shared world, further stating that rich and poor countries cannot have separate rules or circumstances. Following his engagements at the summit, Sharif departed Antalya airport, where he was seen off by Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Hasan Suver, before returning to Pakistan.