Ministry of Climate Change,
Government of Pakistan is hosting the World Environment Day (WED) in
partnership with the United Nations Environment: Programme (UNEP). World
Environment Day is observed each year on 5th June.
The event being held annually
since 1974 is the United Nations' principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide
awareness and action for the environment. Major corporations, non-governmental
organizations, communities, governments and celebrities from across the world
adopt the WED brand to champion environmental causes.
2. This year's observance of WED
will be on the theme of 'Ecosystem Restoration' and focuses on resetting our
relation with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on
Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. The UN Decade is intended to massively scale
up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate
crisis, prevent the loss of a million species and enhance food security water
supply and livelihoods.
3. The event requires a high
level coverage and commemoration nationally as well as globally. The role of
Pakistan Post in this regard is essential as postage stamps are circulated both
nationally and at the international level and will have far reaching impact
regarding Pakistan's efforts towards nature conservation and restoration. The
Ministry therefore plans to issue a series commemorative stamps on the occasion
to reaffirm its commitment aiming at clean, green and environmentally
responsible Pakistan.
4. Pakistan has responded a well
articulated climate change agenda which consists of following flagship initiatives:-
1. 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project:- 10BTT Project is built on
highly successful initiative of KPK's Billion Trees Afforestation Project
(BTAP). The outcomes of BTAP have been duly acknowledged by World Economic
Forum, United Nations Environment Programme, Bonn Challenge and other international
bodies and fora. Following the success and confirmation by the independent
monitors, Government of Pakistan decided to set a goal of 10 Billion Tree
Plantation across the country. This wider project is expected to deliver
dividend in preserving atmospheric health, reducing greenhouse gas effects,
lowering cases of random floods, lowering rains, droughts and enhancing other
biodiversity supportive actions.
2. Eco-system Restoration Initiative:- Government of Pakistan
has launched the Eco-system Restoration Initiative (ESRI) for (1) facilitating
transition towards environmentally resilient Pakistan by main streaming
adaptation and mitigation through ecologically targeted initiatives covering
afforestation, biodiversity conservation, enabling and enhancing policy
environment consistent with the objectives outlined in Pakistan's Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC); and (ii) attaining Land Degradation Neutrality
(LDN) by restoring at least 30% of degraded forest, 5% of degraded cropland, 6%
of degraded grassland (rangeland) and 10% of degraded wetlands in Pakistan by
2030 to generate eco-system services and provide additional support to
mitigation of GHG in Pakistan. The initiative also seeks to establish an
independent, transparent and comprehensive financial mechanism in Pakistan
called "Eco- system Restoration Fund (ESRF)" to finance the projects
and programmes under the initiative.
3. Recharge Pakistan:- Pakistan is a country without a choice
on climate adaptation as it is facing up to the impacts at ground "zero".
Our climate adaptation needs are between $7 to $14 billion per annum and this
is all forced adaptation. This, subsequently, makes climate compatible
development an inevitable direction to take and building resilience of our
vulnerable communities as well as our infrastructure, an undeniable
option.Pakistan is launching this new initiative titled; "Recharge
Pakistan through Integrated Flood Risk Management and Building Resilience to
Climate Change through Ecosystem-based Adaptation". The components of the
project are;
a) Ecosystem-based Adaptation for
Integrated Flood Risk and Water Resources Management, b) Enhancing Resilience
of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Change, c) Enabling a Paradigm Shift
towards Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Pakistan. The project would impact around
10 million vulnerable people at reduced risk from floods and benefit from
climate-adapted livelihoods by year 2030.
4. National Electric Vehicle Policy:- In order to mitigate the
negative impacts of automobile sector on environment and giving a boost to the
economy, Government of Pakistan has approved its National Electric Vehicle
Policy targeting a 30% shift to electric by 2030. In addition, world's first
"zero emissions" metro line project has been launched in the city of
Karachi. Most recently, Government of Pakistan has announced shifting to Euro-V
petrol from 1st September 2020.
5. Clean Green Pakistan Movement:- "Clean Green Pakistan
Movement" has been launched with a vision to drive at nationwide movement
by the people of Pakistan for the clean and green environment for all citizens
of the country. A "Clean-Green Cities Index" has been initiated in 20
cities to trigger a shift towards improved waste management and sanitation.
Concurrently, Pakistan has decided to get out of its plastic addiction by
banning the single use plastic bags which is now being enforced across the
country.
6. Protected Area Initiative:- The Protected Areas Initiative,
has been launched during the COVID-19 era aims to enhance the national coverage
of protected areas from 12% to 15% of land area while preserving Pakistan's
unique and valuable biodiversity and has already increased the number of
National Parks from 30 to 45 in just one year. All of these are also creating
nature based jobs while creating opportunities for eco- tourism and climate
change adaptation at the same time.
7. Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF-II):- Ministry of
Climate Change to reduce the impacts to Climate Change implemented Glacial Lake
Outburst Flood GLOF risk reduction in Northern Pakistan. The objective of the
project is to strengthen resilience of communities that are likely to be
effected by GLOF. MOCC has initiated US$ 37 million project funded by GCF for
GLOF II for 12 valleys in 15 districts of KPK and GB from 2018 to 2023. Initial
assessment for 15 small scale infrastructure projects (Flood Protection Walls,
Check dams, others) in KPK has been done. Initial assessment for 15 water
efficient irrigation systems in GB and KP has also been completed and
activities under work plan for 2020-21 are underway.
8. Climate Resilient Agriculture:- US$ 35 million GCF grant
was signed with FAO for 8 districts in Punjab and Sindh for transforming the
indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and water management targeted to
provide nature solutions to small and subsistence farmers.
9. Green Economic Stimulus (Green Jobs):- Based on the
priorities of the Government of Pakistan for creating greater job opportunities
during and post COVID 19; Green Economic Stimulus initiative is being
implemented. For 2019-20; the 10BTTP has generated a minimum of 65,000 jobs
which were planned to be scaled- up to 200,000 by December 2020. Green Stimulus
is helping Pakistan to build back green while creating value chains and
providing many jobs for spurring economy in post pandemic down turn.
On World Environment Day Pakistan 2021, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination each on June 5, 2021.
