Climate Governance: Implementing Water Sector Adaptation Strategies in Pakistan

Abstract

Climate extreme events, during 1994 to 2014, have witnessed high vulnerability index for Pakistan. Droughts (particularly 1998-2002) had drastic impacts on agriculture and livestock production and forced people to migrate. Pakistan is fundamentally an agricultural economy and its Framework for Implementation of Climate Change Policy (FICCP), 2014-2030 is obviously on adaptation actions to address current and future anticipated climate change threats to Pakistan's various sectors. South Asia has generally been vulnerable to climate change and transboundary water issues are taking serious shape. This paper addresses the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of Pakistan's current climate governance in the context of institutional arrangements at federal, provincial and diplomatic levels in relation to implementation of water sector adaptation strategies as outlined in FICCP. Standard SWOT analysis highlights key challenges and shortcomings towards climate response strategies and actions. In this attempt, the nexus of water and agriculture, post 18 th amendment provincial coordination, various aspects of recently promulgated Climate Change Act, transboundary and riparian issues, and the obligations of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction have been taken in to account. Based on overall assessment of existing gaps, this paper suggests way forward for good and sustainable climate governance in Pakistan to implement water sector adaptation strategies.