Climate crisis surpasses its environmental role since it represents competition between political visions and the ruthless pursuit of power by campaigns seeking authority.
World leaders are divided into two camps regarding the relationship between sustainability and economic development.
Some leaders see sustainability as the way forward, while others believe it throws a spanner in economic progress.
Ordinary people bear the brunt of these choices, facing droughts on farms, polluted air in cities, and rising sea levels on coastal shores.
When the people at the helm initiate climate policy through populist political tendencies, what results occur?
Four world leaders Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Narendra Modi, and Imran Khan have taken opposing positions either in support of or against climate change during the current global climate debate.
A double-edged sword
All populist leadership relies on three fundamental strategies: they defend common people while fighting against institutions of power, and turning over a new leaf for their nation.
The methods leaders employ to deal with climate change generate completely different outcomes. These leaders, including Trump and Bolsonaro, demand that environmental regulations hinder economic growth, so they choose to protect industry by removing regulations.
Since Imran Khan and Narendra Modi have incorporated environmentalism into their nationalist discourse, they have framed it as a patriotic responsibility.
Whether populist actions genuinely achieve climate goals beyond their political advantages is a million-dollar question.
Trump policy: A turn backwards
Donald Trump initiated a rapid transformation of climate policy upon becoming the US president. He viewed climate change as false propaganda which led him to withdraw United States participation from the Paris Agreement in 2017 because it would create economic hurdles for American businesses.
His government implemented new laws that weakened pollution restrictions and expanded oil exploration, arguing that environmental standards harmed the American workforce.
The Rhodium Group—a New York-based independent research firm that specialises in energy and climate analysis—documentation reveals that the US carbon emissions increased by 3 per cent in 2019 after showing previous decline.
When federal authorities removed their incentives for solar and wind investments the market value decreased.
Most American communities that depended on coal and oil industries accepted Trump’s approaches although international organisations criticised them.
After his 2025 presidential win, he moved to intensify fossil fuel control over the American energy sector while eliminating sustainable energy programmes.
The leading position of the United States as the world’s largest economy threatened other nations’ willingness to keep their climate promises.
Pakistan’s unfinished green ambitions
During his tenure, former Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a groundbreaking environmental initiative, the Billion Tree Tsunami, aimed at reversing deforestation and mitigating climate change.
Supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this initiative became one of the largest global reforestation programmes.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the project successfully restored approximately 350,000 hectares of degraded land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, surpassing Pakistan’s commitment to the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to restore 150 million hectares of degraded land by 2020.
The initiative has played a vital role in combating deforestation, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating climate change impacts.
Reports indicate that Pakistan’s forest cover in targeted areas, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, increased from 2 per cent to 35 per cent between 2010 and 2021.
The growth was driven by large-scale tree planting, bans on illegal logging, and improved forest management practices, as reported by IUCN and SpringerLink.
The project also contributed to carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in both urban and rural areas.
Beyond its environmental impact, the initiative generated significant social and economic benefits. The establishment of 13,000 private tree nurseries by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and IUCN created over 500,000 jobs, with a focus on employing rural females and unemployed young adults.
These nurseries provided job opportunities while also contributing to sustainable conservation through community-based efforts.
Building on this success, the Pakistani government launched the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami initiative in 2018 to expand forest cover nationwide.
According to reports from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ThinkLandscape and Climate Home News, as of March 2022, approximately 1.5 billion trees had been reportedly planted through this programme.
The initiative has the potential to reduce soil erosion, as experts predict that its successful execution will boost water conservation and protect ecosystems from climate-related disasters.
After Khan’s departure from office, the environmental projects in Pakistan faced setbacks due to disruptions in government support.
Consistent government support is crucial for sustaining the most ambitious initiatives throughout their lifecycle.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported that 33 million Pakistanis were affected by the 2022 floods, with economic damage estimated at approximately $30 billion, highlighting Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change.
The magnitude of these catastrophic climate disasters underscores the urgent need to develop long-term environmental resilience.
The absence of enduring policies places Pakistan at considerable risk of failing to address environmental challenges.
Experts stress that sustained funding and long-term policy commitment are crucial for the success of forestry initiatives.
Without a stable policy framework, climate change threats could undo all previous achievements. Pakistan needs sustained political commitment and structural reforms to ensure lasting environmental resilience.
Brazil: From rainforest to ruin
Brazil took a drastically different approach under Jair Bolsonaro’s leadership. He openly rejected environmental advocacy as Khan had failed to do.
The Brazilian leader supported forest elimination and reduced environmental rules and declared climate issues obstructionist to economic development.
Deforestation in the Amazon surged by 22 per cent between 2019 and 2020, as reported by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE).
The collapse of environmental oversight systems contributed to a significant rise in illegal logging and mining activities during this period.
The government of Brazil committed the historic destruction of the planet’s ‘lungs’ during his eight-year leadership of the Amazon rainforests. The world reacted with extreme anger which led to European nations preparing economic restrictions.
Brazilian President Bolsonaro persisted in his position that national resources are needed to support the economic development of the country.
Even though his nationalist speech found support among agricultural businesses, it led to the sustainable destruction of environmental resources.
India’s climate strategy
Multiple dimensions exist in Narendra Modi’s response to climate change control. Trump and Bolsonaro made no similar investments, yet Modi actively worked to support renewable energy by investing large amounts in solar power and electric vehicles manufacturing.
The International Renewable Energy Agency reported that India secured placement as the third-biggest producer of solar energy worldwide.
The Indian government’s commitment to economic development through coal usage creates obstacles to fulfilling its long-term climate-related responsibilities.
The nation’s green policies receive attention yet the rapid expansion of cities along with industrial activities continue to create enduring environmental threats.
Modi understands that climate action is not just about sustainability, it is also India’s chance to have a seat on the table as a leader in clean technology.
In this context, the challenge persists for industry to achieve sustainable development parallel to ecological preservation.
Pakistan’s climate crisis
Pakistan is confronting climate change as its survival is at risk. Research by Germanwatch reveals that Pakistan ranks eighth in the Global Climate Risk Index, due to the recurring disasters it faces as a result of climate change.
The 2022 floods devastated 33 million people across Pakistan while Karachi documented its highest temperature-driven index of 52°C according to Pakistan Meteorological Department statistics.
The pressing need for environmental policies in Pakistan continues to be obstructed by political turmoil and economic priorities.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Uraan Pakistan economic transformation plan aims for 6 per cent GDP growth by 2028, focusing on agriculture, energy, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT, with limited integration of environmental considerations.
WEF’s latest on Pakistan’s economic strategy highlights the government’s preferences for rapid recovery above sustainable development, with its economic-first plan.
The national tree planting initiative, Clean Green Pakistan, faced challenges due to funding shortages and approval delays in executing waste management objectives.
The official Uraan Pakistan climate report identifies insufficient continuous funding as the primary cause for delays in meeting sustainability targets.
The 4RF—Resilient, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework—which the government uses to combat climate change, has drawn criticism for lacking clear deadlines and performance benchmarks.
A report from the Pakistan Ministry of Finance reveals that, although government policies frequently contain climate-related projects, these initiatives suffer from sufficient funding, hindering meaningful progress.
Choosing economic growth over environmental sustainability poses substantial risks, as Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change.
Scientists from the WEF, along with the Ministry of Finance staff and Uraan Pakistan researchers, warn that Pakistan will face escalating climate-related threats and environmental damage without effective environmental policies alongside economic reforms.
Pakistan’s dependence on external funding for environmental resilience exposes the country to major economic vulnerabilities.
To build domestic climate resilience, Pakistan needs to prioritise developing a national climate fund, strengthening climate governance, expanding renewable energy investments, promoting community-led adaptation, and advancing domestic research and innovation.
Moreover, investing in universities, research centres, and technological solutions for climate resilience will enable homegrown solutions to environmental challenges.
Time running out
When used right, populism has the potential to initiate unexpected climate change solutions. The appeal towards sustainability from populist movements occurred in the South Asian countries of Pakistan and India yet these movements in the United States and Brazil dismantled previous environmental gains.
The central question about populist leadership is whether they put climate sustainability before immediate political achievements.
The Earth cannot afford further delays, as continued inaction would lead to great harm. Global leaders must take decisive action now to combat destructive weather events, as they face a choice: act today or gamble with an uncertain future.
Time is the only certainty we have at this moment.
