2022 Year in Review

A c o u p l e s e e k s s a f e t y i n f l o o d - h i t P e s h a w a r - t h e r e i s a ' d e s p e r a t e '
n e e d f o r t e n t s .
P H O T O : H U S S A I N A L I / A N D O L U A G E N C Y V I A A F P
While this is apparently a regular occurrence, with “eighty percent of Karachi’s
commercial areas” flooding during monsoon season, the impact is worsening
with each consecutive flood. The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry
(KATI) have laid the blame squarely on “administrative failures”. Residents, too,
have complained of the lack of services – including ambulances – being able to
operate during these events.
However, even with mitigable failures identified, it is questionable whether the
amount of aid required will be met – and, indeed, if it will be enough. A
significant barrier to funding recovery is the domestic aspect of international
politics. Governments and political parties in rich countries, such as China, the
United States, and even Australia, face significant internal pressures from
business and industry lobbies to advance policy decisions that favour their own
advantage. This has been evinced by the discourse at the COP27 Summit held in
Egypt this year, with developed countries refraining from contributing to “loss
and damage” funds – in short, climate finance that aims to “compensate states
for damage suffered due to the impacts of climate change” and help prevent
future climate risks.
P A G E 5 5
Yet, overall, the viability of such funding is further jeopardised by the lack of
international political will to achieve emission reduction targets. As noted by the
Conversation, a disappointing outcome of the recent deliberations at COP27 saw
the hope for keeping the average temperature of the planet limited to 1.5
degrees has been put “on life support”. For developing countries like Pakistan, it
is little wonder why scepticism for a hopeful future remains.