As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, governments around the world are trying to understand the threats they face. Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change: it ranks 8th in the world in terms of long-term risks, and was the fifth worst affected country in 2014. Pakistan along with Philippines features in the German watch list both in the long term index and in the last 4 years’ lists of countries most affected. With a poverty rate of 21 percent and a large proportion of the population dependent on agriculture (which contributes 23 percent to GDP) Pakistan must take the threat of climate change seriously.

The impacts of climate change cut across several aspects of life. Water, health, energy and food security are increasingly stressed, and in some areas can pose genuine concerns for livelihoods and even survival. These concerns particularly affect the poorest in society.