https://arab.news/2gfeh
- The South Asian country has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, cyclones and droughts in recent years
- Pakistan has since launched various initiatives to build resilience against climate change, including the launch of a satellite this month to predict natural disasters
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s climate change ministry has established a “challenge fund” for climate-resilient infrastructure in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Wednesday.
A challenge fund is a competitive funding mechanism that allocates resources to projects that address social or environmental challenges. Designed to encourage innovation and collaboration, these funds can be used to support small businesses, public sector and, other organizations.
The “Challenge Fund for Climate Resilient Infrastructure” would be funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and jointly implemented by GIZ Pakistan, a German organization working on sustainable development projects, and Adam Smith International (ASI) global advisory firm.
Pakistani officials say the initiative is designed to reinforce Pakistan’s adaptive capacity in the face of increasing climate challenges, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“This initiative aims to bolster the country’s infrastructure resilience against the impacts of climate change and support the construction of sustainable and adaptive infrastructure across vulnerable regions,” Aisha Humera Moriani, secretary of the Pakistani climate change ministry, was quoted as saying.
Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
The South Asian country has since launched various initiatives to build resilience against climate change, including the launch of a satellite this month to help predict natural disasters and monitor resources.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, said the fund’s launch marked a “significant milestone” in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
“This innovative fund will empower provinces and local governments to develop and implement innovative infrastructure projects that are not only climate-resilient, but also contribute to sustainable development goals and the well-being of local communities,” she said.