The second [1] Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference concluded in Islamabad on Thursday with calls for coordinated action and climate resilience.
This gathering underscores the escalating environmental threats facing Pakistan, as leaders push for formal policy shifts to handle extreme weather and resource scarcity.
Organized by DawnMedia and Breathe Pakistan, the two-day [1] event took place from May 6–7, 2026 [2]. The conference brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, parliamentarians, international organizations, and climate experts [1]. Corporate leaders and financial institutions also attended the summit to discuss the intersection of economics and environmental stability [1].
Delegates focused on several critical pillars of adaptation, including energy transition, water security, and urban planning [1]. Discussions also touched on the need for equitable policymaking in agriculture, and the mobilization of climate finance to protect vulnerable populations [1].
During the proceedings, officials emphasized that the current trajectory of environmental degradation requires an immediate shift in governance. Azam Nazeer Tarar said, "Declaring a climate emergency in Pakistan has become unavoidable" [3].
The conference ended with a collective call for the government to prioritize climate resilience through integrated strategies. Participants said that fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to combat the scale of the crisis facing the region [1].
“"Declaring a climate emergency in Pakistan has become unavoidable."”
The push for a formal declaration of a climate emergency suggests that Pakistan is moving toward a legal and political framework that prioritizes environmental survival over standard economic growth. By integrating financial institutions and corporate leaders into these discussions, the country is attempting to align private capital with public resilience goals, recognizing that climate volatility poses a systemic risk to the national economy.
