Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, called for climate diplomacy keeping in view the challenges being faced by climate change in today’s world.
He was addressing an international conference on climate change named ‘Breathe Pakistan’. “There is a need to enhance coordination between the countries which are most affected due to climate change,” Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said.
The senior jurist also presented a nine-point agenda during the conference, emphasizing adaptive jurisprudence to address climate change challenges. He underscored the need for an independent and competent judiciary to handle climate-related cases.
He urged Pakistan to develop local solutions rather than rely on external interventions. Moreover, he emphasized climate accountability, stating that those responsible for environmental degradation must be held accountable. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also proposed establishing an international climate court and forming specialized bodies like climate commission and smog commission to address environmental cases, given the overwhelming burden on existing courts.
Justice Shah further asserted that climate finance is a fundamental right of everyone. He highlighted Pakistan’s $30 billion loss due to the 2022 floods, emphasizing that such financial compensation should be considered a legal and moral obligation.
Discussing Pakistan’s climate laws, he referred to the Climate Change Act 2017, which mandated the establishment of a climate change authority and a climate change fund—both of which remain incomplete.
He warned that climate change is exacerbating issues of food security, energy security, and health security, urging swift implementation of necessary reforms.
Earlier, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the Supreme Court’s most senior judge, has emphasised that the world is facing severe climate challenges, making environmental justice a crucial necessity. Speaking at an international conference on climate change in Islamabad, he stated that he would present the judiciary’s stance on climate justice.
“Floods have caused Pakistan a loss of Rs30 billion, making it one of the most climate-affected countries. Natural disasters have significantly impacted the nation.”
Justice Shah pointed out that rapidly melting glaciers were affecting the Indus River system, posing threats to agriculture and farmers. He stressed the need for understanding climate science and finding homegrown solutions, including the establishment of a climate court.
He further called for an immediate response to environmental issues and a system for climate accountability to ensure transparency in funding.
“Those responsible for pollution are often beyond national borders, making global cooperation essential,” he added.
Discussing the judiciary’s role, Justice Shah mentioned that when climate issues were raised in the High Court, the government was unaware of their severity. He emphasized that climate justice requires financial resources, and without proper funding, addressing climate change remains a distant dream.
He also noted that climate change affects every aspect of human life, making climate finance a fundamental right.
“Pakistan urgently needs a Climate Change Authority and a dedicated Climate Change Fund, yet no funds currently exist,” he maintained.
Justice Shah concluded that global funds were not arriving, necessitating local financial solutions. He introduced “nature finance” as a new concept and highlighted the importance of “climate democracy,” suggesting that Sukuk funding could be an effective financial tool.
