Page 17 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2025)

Exclusive Interview

Local communities, on the other hand, are on the front
lines of climate change. They are the first to experience
floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Any effective climate or Most importantly, we must
ESG strategy must therefore prioritize their wellbeing turn environment into a
and livelihoods, particularly those of the poorest and
most vulnerable groups. We must learn to look at nature ‘desi’ issue. Our
and people together, and in doing so must focus first and
development pathway
foremost on the most vulnerable.
Bringing these two forces together creates a powerful should be greener not
and practical pathway toward climate resilience and
because the world expects it,
sustainability.
ICMA: How can South Asia achieve economic growth
while keeping social fairness and environmental but because it is in the best
protection at the core of ESG?
interest of the Pakistani
Dr. Adil Najam: South Asia as a region aspires to
economic prosperity, yet we are arriving at this stage later people
than other parts of the world, such as Europe or the
United States, which reached similar levels of
development many decades earlier. The pressing
question is whether we can chart a path that avoids the
When it comes to climate change, much of what
errors of the past. Can we use the lessons learned by
happens globally is beyond Pakistan’s control. What is
others to leapfrog ahead? I believe we can.
within our control is our own emissions and, more
Take, for instance, the adoption of mobile technology. importantly, our ability to adapt. These areas deserve
Rather than reinventing the wheel, countries like ours greater attention. This means two things. First, we should
were able to embrace this innovation without enduring try to leapfrog by avoiding the mistakes others have
the prolonged trial-and-error processes experienced by made. Second, adaptation must be a priority for Pakistan.
the original innovators. Similarly, advances in governance, We need to focus on how local communities and the
technology, and strategic ideas offer opportunities to country as a whole deal with climate impacts so that we
bypass outdated practices and accelerate progress. are better prepared. For example, we may not be able to
China’s rapid development in our neighborhood provides prevent floods, but we can certainly reduce the
a compelling example of the power of leapfrogging. destruction they cause through better adaptation
measures.
For South Asia, and Pakistan in particular, the imperative
is not to replicate the developmental trajectories of Most importantly, we must turn environment into a ‘desi’
others but to assimilate their experiences and ascend issue. Our development pathway should be greener not
directly to a more sustainable trajectory. While this is because the world expects it, but because it is in the best
undoubtedly challenging, it also presents a remarkable interest of the Pakistani people. Pollution is not an
opportunity. If executed wisely, we can achieve robust external or foreign issue. It is a domestic problem that
economic development while embedding directly affects our health, livelihoods, and quality of life.
environmental sustainability and social equity at the The real goal of environmental policy should be to
very core of our development agenda. improve the lives of Pakistanis, keeping people at the
center of all decisions.
ICMA: Is Pakistan doing enough to tackle climate
change and protect the environment? What Many of the challenges we discussed, including ESG, are
recommendations would you give the Ministry of ultimately accounting questions. How do we measure
Climate Change, especially given the recurring progress, how do we value resources, and how do we
floods? know whether goals are being met? Without proper
accounting, real impact remains invisible. This is where
Dr. Adil Najam: I think, like many countries, Pakistan is accountants can help.
doing some things well, and there are many areas where
we can do better. Some of the challenges relate to costs The Editorial Board thanks Dr. Adil Najam, President of WWF
and capacity. We should acknowledge and celebrate International & Dean Emeritus and Professor of International
Relations and Earth and Environment, Frederick S. Pardee School of
what is working, while also being willing to change what
Global Studies, Boston University for sparing his precious time to give
is not. an exclusive interview for Chartered Management Accountant Journal.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Nov-Dec, 2025 15