The Hague (TDI): Pakistan has outlined the “apocalyptic” impacts of climate change on its population and economy, highlighting the 2022 floods that submerged one-third of the country, affected thirty-three million people, and resulted in reconstruction costs estimated to exceed 16 billion dollars.
Attorney General Mansoor Awan presented Pakistan’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Quoting the UN Secretary-General’s 2022 address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he said that Pakistan contributed less than one percent of global GHG emissions but its people are 15 times more likely to face death from climate-related impacts than other countries.
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He emphasized three key points by stating that the Paris Deal under the UNFCCC was the primary framework for addressing climate obligations.
Mansoor Awan said that the obligation of prevention, rooted in full assiduousness, operates alongside obligations provided in the deal and is the part of the applicable law.
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He explained that due diligence requires a case-specific assessment of potential harm.
“We are the first generation to feel the climate change impacts and the last people that can tackle this dangerous issue” Awan said.
