Pakistan is considered the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change. Studies have shown that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Asian countries. Despite Pakistan having little contribution to climate change, it is one of the most affected countries due to factors such as unplanned urbanization, urban sprawl, deforestation, and melting glaciers due to high temperatures. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has declared April 2024 as the wettest month in the last 60 years. In May, 26 districts were hit by sweltering heat, with the first heatwave lasting till the 30th.Number Two further heat waves are predicted for May and June 2024.
The poor and those working in informal settlements often have limited or no access to heatwave protection. The most vulnerable are those who work outdoors, such as agricultural workers, construction workers, factory workers, delivery people, and street vendors. This problem will remain the same in 2024. In 2023, Amnesty International released a report titled “Scorching Heat Emergency: Extreme Heat and the Right to Health in Pakistan,” highlighting through interviews the challenges faced by day laborers during the 2021 heatwave. The report highlighted that due to the nature of their work, which is less regulated and more precarious in Pakistan, informal sector (blue-collar) workers face more challenges than white-collar workers due to lower incomes and limited opportunities for rest.
One truck driver said he works on a daily wage and cannot take long breaks. As temperatures rise, drivers fear that they will lose their pay if they stop working, so instead they take frequent showers, short breaks in the shade, and drink water. People in low-income brackets cannot afford expensive cooling devices for their homes, such as air conditioners, solar panels, and other renewable energy sources. But even basic methods of keeping their homes cool can consume up to 30 percent of their income.
The report highlighted the situation where delivery men and security guards are forced to continue working despite the heat. They said they take inadequate measures to cope with the heat, such as applying wet towels to their heads to cool down. The report further highlighted that due to low wages of the workers (mostly in brick kilns), they are unable to afford ice, water and other cold drinks. Foods that can be eaten to mitigate the effects of summer, such as yogurt, milk and sherbet, are similarly out of their reach.
In Pakistan, public health officials advise people to avoid heatstroke during heatwaves, but do not consider whether individuals have the ability to stay indoors, negotiate different working hours (e.g. night shifts), or can afford to take time off work. If they are unable to work, they may not have the means to secure enough water, medical facilities, or food, as they spend their earned money every day. For many, working is the only means to cover their daily expenses. Moreover, with 71.1% of the workforce employed in the informal sector, social security coverage is limited and there are no unemployment benefits. The impacts of climate change can be mitigated through well-designed and well-resourced social security programs. However, integrating climate change measures is a complex task in a country like Pakistan, where the overall social security framework is weak. Isn’t adaptation of climate change mitigation mechanisms as important as artificial intelligence? Why is there so little focus on this pressing issue that will have a significant long-term impact on the economy?
However, with the climate challenge intensifying, both federal and provincial governments, including those in Punjab and Sindh, are urged to develop robust heat action plans that are meticulously aligned with human and labor rights and standards advocated by the ILO and WHO. Priority is given to protecting vulnerable populations from heatwave-induced health hazards through precise identification and implementation of protective measures, making them accessible to all. Furthermore, a crucial shift in social protection strategies is highlighted, urging them to adopt universal social protection that recognizes climate-related risks. Across borders, the international community, especially wealthy countries, are pleaded to significantly boost climate finance, striking a harmonious balance between mitigation and adaptation efforts. Particular emphasis is placed on providing financial and technical support to Pakistan’s climate adaptation measures, especially to high-risk populations that are vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. In conclusion, Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change-induced heatwaves highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate their impacts.
