Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change has become more evident with the recent experiences of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts which have severely disrupted its ecosystems and socio-economic stability. A nation that relies on the Indus River, which provides for 90 percent of its population and more than three quarters of its economy, is at risk from any shift in the river’s flow caused by climate change. Pakistan’s securing of USD 10 million in climate finance from the Adaptation Fund is a major step forward in its work to build climate resilience. The financial support will be channeled to the Sustainable Actions for Ecosystems Restoration in Pakistan (SAFER) project which is addressing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenges especially for vulnerable communities such as women, children and youth and in line with broader national strategies such as the National Adaptation Plan and the Living Indus Initiative.

The SAFER project is being led by Pakistan's Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCCEC) in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Its main objective is to enhance integrated and adaptive water resource management in the Indus River Basin through nature-based solutions (NbS). The project aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by climate related crises, and to support ecosystem-based adaptation approaches that protect the environment and empower local populations.

This is a significant achievement for Pakistan, as the Adaptation Fund, set up in 2001 to finance concrete adaptation projects in developing countries, is providing USD 10 million funding. This financial support will enable the country to undertake key interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, in regions most at risk. The SAFER project is to be implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh over the next three and a half years. These regions are highly vulnerable to climate related disasters and the project will develop community based early warning systems in hazard prone zones, nature-based spring water recharge systems and climate resilient water infrastructure to address immediate risks and improve long term resilience.

Emphasis on nature-based solutions

The SAFER project places a strong emphasis on nature-based solutions, which provide sustainable and cost effective alternatives to conventional infrastructure. Nature based solutions involve using natural processes and ecosystems to solve environmental problems, for example restoring wetlands to improve water quality or rehabilitating forests to reduce flood risks. Nature based solutions are particularly relevant in the context of the Indus River Basin, where the region is highly sensitive to changes in water flow driven by climate, which can lead to increased water scarcity, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. The SAFER project prioritizes ecosystem restoration and conservation to increase the region’s ability to withstand climate shocks and to continue to provide vital ecosystem services like clean water, fertile soils, and stable food production systems.

The SAFER project also puts a great deal of emphasis on social inclusion, including the participation of women, children and youth, in addition to its environmental objectives. Typically, these groups are disproportionately impacted by climate change because they lack access to resources and decision-making power. However, women are critical to water management and household resilience, and are often excluded from formal adaptation planning processes. The goal of the SAFER project is to empower women and youth by actively involving them in the design and implementation of climate adaptation measures to reflect their needs and perspectives. In addition to helping foster gender equality, this approach capitalizes on local knowledge and capacities of the communities being served to improve the overall effectiveness of the project.

The project also aligns with Pakistan’s National Adaptation Plan and the Living Indus Initiative. The National Adaptation Plan sets out the country’s long-term strategy for building climate resilience, aiming to reduce vulnerability to climate risks, strengthen institutional capacity and integrate climate considerations into development planning. On the other hand, the Living Indus Initiative is a flagship programme that supports nature-based solutions to protect, conserve and restore ecosystems across the Indus Basin. These frameworks emphasize ecosystem-based adaptation as a means of addressing the country’s pressing environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable development. By linking the SAFER project to these national strategies, Pakistan is taking a coordinated and comprehensive approach to climate adaptation, with an integrated, scalable and sustainable approach.

Important example for developing countries

The SAFER Project exemplifies the importance of regional cooperation to address climate change in Pakistan’s collaboration with ICIMOD. ICIMOD, founded in 1983, has been instrumental in advancing sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, where some of the world’s most vulnerable mountain ecosystems are located. Working with regional partners like ICIMOD, Pakistan can use the expertise, knowledge and resources of ICIMOD and other partners to develop and implement effective climate adaptation measures that will benefit not only its own population, but the wider region.

The SAFER project is also an indication of the global community’s realization that developing countries need help to adapt to climate change. The Adaptation Fund is a crucial source of funding to help developing countries access resources they need to implement adaptation actions. The SAFER project is an important example for other developing countries facing similar challenges as Pakistan moves forward with it. The project shows that with the right financial support, technical expertise, and community engagement, resilience to climate change and protection of vulnerable populations from its worst impacts are possible.

Finally, Pakistan’s securing USD 10 million from Adaptation Fund for the SAFER project is a big step forward in its efforts to build climate resilience. The country’s broader national strategies are aligned with the project’s focus on integrated water resource management, nature-based solutions and social inclusion and help address the critical challenges of climate change. The SAFER project achieves two goals, by prioritizing participation of women, children, youth, and resilience of vulnerable communities, and by achieving gender equality and social justice. This ambitious project by Pakistan sets a precedent for other developing nations to follow, showing the importance of community driven, ecosystem based approaches to climate adaptation.

(The writer is Executive Director, Policy Wire who has done BS from National Defence University, Islamabad and MA from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Views are personal. She can be reached out at alinakay2001@gmail.com)