Peace efforts yield climate benefits, reduce emissions risks: expert

Pakistan’s ongoing vigorous efforts to support the second round of the Islamabad Peace Talks, the diplomatic initiatives were not only reducing regional tensions but were also lowering the climate-related risks associated with conflict, a climate expert said on Monday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Apr, 2026) Pakistan’s ongoing vigorous efforts to support the second round of the Islamabad Peace Talks, the diplomatic initiatives were not only reducing regional tensions but were also lowering the climate-related risks associated with conflict, a climate expert said on Monday.

Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Resilient Future International, Aftab Alam Khan, said the ceasefire facilitated through Pakistan’s leadership had not only reduced tensions but also contributed to lowering environmental risks associated with conflict, said a news release issued here.

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He highlighted that the ceasefire orchestrated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has already produced measurable environmental benefits.

Aftab Alam Khan explained that the two-week ceasefire has stopped nearly five million tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. “That’s not a small number, it’s more than what Bhutan emits in a whole year, and even more than Iceland’s yearly emissions. Peace has delivered an immediate climate payoff.” It is important to recall that greenhouse gases were the Primary cause of climate change.

The CEO noted that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement demonstrated how peace efforts could also contribute to global climate resilience. “In today’s world, peace talks are climate talks.

A stable region emits less, destroys less, and recovers faster, well done, Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Pakistan’s peace efforts must be viewed in the wider context of a planet struggling to stay within safe climate limits. He explained that between 1995 and 2024, more than 832,000 lives were lost and economic losses of nearly USD 4.5 trillion were recorded due to over 9,700 extreme weather events, as reported by Germanwatch.

Pakistan itself remained among the countries most affected by climate change, facing historic floods in 2022 and 2025, accelerated glacier melt, and recurring heatwaves. The 2022 floods alone caused losses of nearly USD 30 billion.

Looking ahead, Pakistan’s total investment needs for a comprehensive climate response between 2023 and 2030 are estimated at approximately USD 348 billion. "We are among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, yet we continue to champion peace. That is Pakistan’s stewardship leadership," he added.

This estimate of five million tons GHG saving is based on an international report showing that during the first two weeks of the Iran–USA/Israel conflict, approximately 5.05 million tons of greenhouse gases were emitted, according to analysis by the Climate and Community Institute (USA).

Drawing on this evidence, Aftab Alam Khan stated that the two-week ceasefire has effectively prevented the release of a similar volume of emissions.