Introduction
Gilgit-Baltistan, often referred to as the “Northern Areas” of Pakistan and nicknamed “Mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty, is home to high mountain ranges and vast glaciers. This region, and Pakistan as a whole, is among the countries most severely affected by climate change, especially due to glacier meltdown, which are melting at an alarming rate. Consequently, floods have become common in recent years (occurring nearly every other year), and weak local infrastructure exacerbates the hardships faced by communities.
Incident Report (Glacier Meldown)
The latest glacier melt event occurred in the Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan. A flood carrying rocks and debris formed a massive mudslide, often described as a “black flood.” This mudslide reached the Ghizer River at Tali-Das village, blocking the river’s flow and forming a new lake reminiscent of the 2010 Attabad Lake.
Fortunately, no lives were lost, thanks to a timely evacuation led by local shepherd Mr. Wasiyet Khan, who was grazing with his herd on a nearby mountain peak when he witnessed the glacier beginning to collapse. He immediately warned his fellow villagers that a flood from the melting glacier was imminent. His urgent alert enabled the community to abandon their homes and move to safer ground. The remaining villagers are now being airlifted to safety by the Pakistan Army.
Climate Context
For decades, glacial melting and sudden cloudburst events have occurred frequently in northern Pakistan, causing heavy losses of life and property. These events often unleash massive floods downstream, compounding the destruction. Over the last twenty years, Pakistan has repeatedly suffered severe casualties and damage to infrastructure from such floods, which experts largely attribute to climate change.
The rapid melting of glaciers in this region not only threatens Pakistan’s water resources and local climate stability, but also contributes to broader changes in the global climate system. These developments underscore the urgent need for international cooperation on climate adaptation and mitigation.
International Response
Despite the severity of these impacts, global attention has been limited. Major greenhouse gas emitters have been slow to invest in effective climate mitigation measures. In some cases, countries contributing the most to global warming show little interest in addressing these problems. The table below compares major industrial countries and regions by their share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and by their climate-related spending.
Emissions Data
In addition, the table below compares major countries and regions by their share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and by the extent of their climate mitigation spending (as a percentage of GDP or in absolute terms). It highlights the disparity between emissions contributions and mitigation efforts:
| Country/Region | Share of Global GHG Emissions | Climate/Mitigation Spending (% of GDP or value) | Notes |
| China | ~30–35% | Data not transparent; investing heavily in renewables | Largest emitter globally |
| United States | ~11% | ~$400 billion via Inflation Reduction Act (2022–2032) – no fixed % of GDP | Largest federal climate investment in U.S. history |
| India | ~7–8% | ~5.5% of GDP (2021–22) on climate adaptation | Among highest % of GDP spending |
| European Union (overall) | ~6% | ~0.55% of GDP (private investment, 2023) | EU average |
| Lithuania & Denmark (EU) | <0.1% each (within EU total) | ~1.5% of GDP (2023) | Highest within EU |
| Latvia & Sweden (EU) | <0.1% each | ~1.2% of GDP (2023) | Above EU average |
| Russia | ~5% | Limited climate expenditure; no reliable % data | Heavy reliance on fossil fuels |
| Japan | ~2% | Spending data fragmented; invests in tech-based mitigation | Developed industrial economy |
| Brazil | ~2.5% | Significant spending on forest protection; exact % not published | Large emitter from deforestation |
| Indonesia | ~2.3% | Receives international climate finance; no official GDP % published | Large forest-related emissions |
| Saudi Arabia | ~1.5% | No official %; fossil-fuel economy with new renewable pledges | Heavy oil dependence |
| Canada | ~1.4% | Climate spending announced but not published as GDP % | High per-capita emissions |
| South Korea | ~1.2% | Investments in green tech; no official GDP % | Industrial economy |
| Turkey | ~1.1% | Limited climate spending | Emerging economy |
| Australia | ~1.1% | Increasing renewable investments; no GDP % published | Fossil fuel exporter |
| Global benchmark (net-zero)** | – | ~2–3% of global GDP annually | Time.com |
| Developing countries (avg.) | – | ~1.4% of GDP needed for 70% emission cut by 2050 | World Bank |
Conclusion
International organizations, including the United Nations, must now take urgent action. Major emitters of greenhouse gases need to both reduce their emissions and substantially increase their investment in climate mitigation. At the same time, vulnerable countries like Pakistan require support for adaptation and disaster] response. Addressing glacier melt and flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan is fundamentally a matter of climate justice: Pakistan contributes very little to global emissions yet suffers disproportionately. Without concerted global efforts—combining sharp emissions cuts with financial and technical aid—the risks to communities in the region will only continue to grow.
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Video of recent Glacier Meltdown in district Ghizer of Gilgit Baltistan Province of Pakistan