Najam Speaks at Launch of AIIB Report on NetZero
Professor Najam suggests that until countries do not begin “owning” the climate change problem – not because they have caused it, but because they will invariably suffer its consequences – we will not see meaningful action on climate change in developing countries.
Najam Featured in “Context” Report on Climate Loss and Damage
“By raising money from bad actions so that we raise the cost of doing bad things, we [can] use that money to be able to do good things for those who are being treated unfairly by climate change.”
Najam Joins Panel Discussion on Population and Climate Change
Professor Najam noted that curbing population growth and managing the impacts of climate change may be amongst the most vital problems developing countries face, but that is not a reason to just lump the two together.
Najam Named Mahatir Mohamad Visiting Fellow at Oxford
Professor Najam plans to work on two research projects during his fellowships: one on elaborating an Islamic vocabulary for environmentalism and particularly for climate change, and another related to elaborating policy pathways for the “Age of Adaptation” and particularly for Loss and Damage climate policy.
Najam Interviewed on Impacts of Climate Change & Need for Adaptation
“The golden rule is don’t mess with nature. The hubris with which we have not only ignored, but laughed at nature over the last 30 years, is what is having an impact now.”
Najam Interviewed on Potential Impact of COP27 Loss and Damages Fund
Professor Najam noted that a loss and damage fund has been a long-standing demand of the world’s most vulnerable countries. “However, one should be clear-eyed about this: at this point there is no fund, and there is no money in such a fund.”
“Qué Pasa Media” Article Details Najam’s Call for Immediate Climate Action
While the global focus on climate change has largely been on mitigation, Professor Najam argues that adapting to the threats of climate change is urgent, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable countries of the world.
Najam Comments on Commitments to COP27 Loss and Damage Fund
Professor Najam argued that the idea that the fund would reach $2 trillion per year, even across all contributing nations, was “practically an impossibility,” especially because the amount committed and pledged to the fund is still zero dollars.
Najam Keynotes Australasian Aid Conference 2022
Professor Najam posits that “the onset of climate change fundamentally changes the nature of climate policy and of climate politics, and in the ‘Age of Adaptation’ climate IS development.”
Najam Discusses COP27 Loss and Damage Fund in “CBC” Interview
In an ideal world, Professor Najam says that the loss and damage fund would be structured so that those countries whose emissions are high pay for the damages done to those whose emissions are low. However, he notes that the fund will likely be funded by voluntary contributions coming not out of a responsibility to address damages done but out of a humanitarian desire to help those in need.
Najam Offers Thoughts on COP27 Climate Loss and Damage Fund
“Everyone wants to disguise this text [on the new loss and damage fund] as a success. This is really the triumph of hope over experience, a hollow win.”
Najam Comments on COP27 Loss and Damage Fund for Developing Countries
“Importantly, for now, developing countries got what they wanted: a fund for loss and damage. And developed countries were able to avoid what they have always been unwilling to give: any concrete funding commitments or any acknowledgment of responsibility for reparations.”
Najam Speaks at Quaid-i-Azam University on Age of Adaptation
“We are fooling ourselves by believing that raising slogans, writing tweets, or walking in protests is actually going to make a difference when the only thing that can make a difference is real and tangible changes in our own lifestyles and in the politics we support.”
Najam Interviewed on Global Climate Politics and Negotiations
Given that climate impacts in vulnerable countries are becoming much more visible and severe, Professor Najam argues that an increase in demands for climate justice from low- and middle-income countries is to be expected.
Najam Calls for Immediate Action on Climate Change in “Boston Globe” Op-Ed
“While all of us have consumed nearly three decades in talking ourselves hoarse about what to do and how, the planetary climate has changed, both physically and politically.”
Najam Appeals for Stronger Action on Climate Change
In this interview, Professor Najam argues that the “Age of Adaptation” has arrived and that the world must actively prepare for imminent climate disasters.
Najam Keynote Addresses Issue of Communicating Climate Crisis to the World
Professor Najam highlights that while extreme events like the recent floods in Pakistan do attract national and international media attention, the world still lacks a public vocabulary to convey the severity of the climate emergency to public audiences, particularly in developing countries.
Najam Keynote Explores Impacts of Technological Disruption
Professor Najam’s keynote challenged the participants to think of their “responsibility to society” when they “disrupt” arguing that if a technological and economic ecosystem is not made better by disruptive innovation, it’s just destruction.
Najam Delivers SDPI Lecture on Climate Change from a Pakistan Perspective
In his remarks, Professor Najam addresses the failures of existing climate agreements, the evolution of climate policy worldwide, the transformation of the climate issue from one of mitigation to adaptation, as well as how Pakistan can tackle its own climate challenges.
Najam Discusses Global Costs of Climate Change During UN Keynote
Professor Najam argues that sufficient funds have not been allocated from the most developed and polluting countries of the world to address pressing climate justice demands, and the ongoing costs are being borne by the world’s poorest people who are least responsible for climate change.