Abstract
This paper explores the effectiveness of Pakistan’s legal frameworks in addressing climate change-induced injustices. The paper highlights the country’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Utilising a mixed-method approach, the study combines doctrinal legal analysis, policy scholarship, and historical review to dissect Pakistan’s legal mechanisms against climate change and their role in mitigating environmental disparities. Through doctrinal research, I examine the national laws and international agreements to which Pakistan is a signatory, assessing its alignment with climate justice objectives. Policy analysis is employed to scrutinise the implementation of these laws and policies, identifying gaps/challenges in translating legal commitments into tangible outcomes for vulnerable populations. A historical perspective offers insights into the evolution of Pakistan’s legal and policy frameworks in response to the escalating climate crisis. The study reveals significant gaps between policy intentions and their practical application, with vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of climate impacts. Despite ambitious national pledges, such as enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the study identifies a need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, and greater alignment with international climate justice principles to enhance the resilience of affected communities. It calls for a more integrated approach that bridges policy, legal action, and community engagement, ensuring that climate justice is central to Pakistan’s climate change strategy. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on climate justice, offering a case study on how legal pathways can be optimised to address climate-induced inequalities in one of the world’s most vulnerable countries.
Presenters
Rufaro Emily ChikuruwoPostdoctoral Research Fellow, Public Law, University of South Africa, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Human Impacts and Responsibility
KEYWORDS
Climate Injustice Environmental Law Pakistan Legal Frameworks Policy Analysis Doctrinal Research Historical Review Vulnerable Populations International Obligations Environmental Disparities
