Abstract

Pakistan Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (ESRI) was successfully launched at COP 25 in Madrid on 11th December 2019 by the Advisor to the PM on Climate Change. Malik Amin Aslam who was heading Pakistan delegation to the UN climate conference.

The theme for COP 25 was ''Time for Action- and the delegation expressed efforts of Pakistan to combat climate change through ecosystem restoration across the country. The Global Climate Risk Index has placed Pakistan on the 5' spot on the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change in its annual report for 2020 (German watch Report).

Geographically Pakistan is situated in a region which is vulnerable for the intensity & frequency of extreme weather events and as a result the country is suffering from loss of precious lives and economy. Such scenarios urge the government to act immediately for developing and implementing appropriate measures with the help of international donor agencies.

ESRI has been placed under National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) to allow the public and private sector entities and align Pakistan with global climate change agenda through supporting initiatives/projects financial & technical requirements.

Currently, NDRMF is working with relevant public & private sector entities on project concepts/proposals to meet the ambitious targets of ESRI on following main components:

I.    Hydro-meteorological & climate services through institutional strengthening & capacity building.    Modernization of the observation infrastructure, data management, forecasting systems & services ($ 60 Million)

II.  Enhancing resilience through community resilience.  ecosystem  restoration  & nature  based  solutions,  climate  adaptation  &  mitigation  and  climate  smart technology (S 120 Million)

Thematic areas under component-II are Afforestation. Recharge Pakistan. Reversing Land Degradation & Conserving Biodiversity, Promoting Blue Economy & Restoration of Marine Protected Areas, Promoting Ecotourism and Promoting Clean Mobility. Following projects are approved by NDRMF with duration of 03 years & funding amount of $ 43.44 Million.