A costly cut (opens original article in a new tab)

Pakistan is cutting climate ministry funding despite growing climate risks, including glacial lake outburst floods and El Niño impacts, which could strain public finances and increase long-term costs.

• Pakistan reduced climate ministry's PSDP allocation from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.48bn
• Suparco identified 130 dangerous glacial lakes with 24 under observation
• El Niño conditions may cause weaker monsoons, heatwaves, droughts, and warmer winters
• Climate shocks force governments to divert resources to emergency relief instead of development
• Pakistan's 2022 floods caused over $30bn in losses and ongoing recovery costs