Pakistan is among the most urbanized countries in South Asia, with 38 percent of its population living in urban areas. It continues to see rapid urbanization in line with its population growth. Urbanization is expected to further increase due to climate-induced migration. p. 4

Additionally, climate change profoundly affects education, leading to damaged infrastructure from extreme weather events and disruptions in learning due to environmental challenges. Students' health and well-being are at risk from heatwaves and poor air quality, while climate-induced displacement and migration strain educational resources. Addressing these issues from a human capital perspective is crucial to promote resilience and equitable development in the face of climate change's far-reaching impacts. p. 5

Weak growth will increase the risk of extreme poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. This will make sustained progress in poverty reduction and human development far more challenging than it is today. These interrelated risks could also set the stage for major societal disruptions, including the displacement of people and greater pressure on cities unprepared for the in ux of displaced migrants, on top of those they currently host. p. 23

Following extreme weather events, tracking data on education-day losses, student absenteeism, and other impacts is essential. Corresponding health indicators, such as the prevalence and spread of diseases due to climate extremes, also need to be identi ed and monitored. Additionally, it is crucial to analyse climate-induced migration patterns and their potential in uence on education and health outcomes. p. 55

Perhaps most dramatically, Pakistan is seeing both more frequent and more intense extreme weather events and natural disasters. The most recent oods, in 2022, inundated one-third of districts in the country and affected 33 million people, 8 million of whom were displaced. p. 12

It is clear from current data and future projections that climate change poses fundamental risks for Pakistan: if current trends persist, more and more of the country will be rendered uninhabitable. This would lead to mass population displacement, increased competition for depleting resources, and the very real prospect of con ict. p. 12

As noted, climate change is leading to the loss of agricultural and grazing land, increased water scarcity, and the loss of livelihoods. This creates greater pressure and competition for the remaining scarce resources, for example, between pastoralists and livestock farmers for land as Pakistan's vegetation cover and pastures shrink. Where the 18effects of climate change are chronically severe, this leads to forced population displacement and thereby increased strain on resources and services. This in turn often sparks tensions—even con ict—between host and internally displaced person (IDP) communities. p. 18

Weak growth will increase the risk of extreme poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. This will make sustained progress in poverty reduction and human development far more challenging than it is today. These interrelated risks could also set the stage for major societal disruptions, including the displacement of people and greater pressure on cities unprepared for the in ux of displaced migrants, on top of those they currently host. p, 23