Faiza Tehseen

Climate-resilient infrastructure holds the key to addressing socioeconomic challenges and achieving sustainable development goals for Pakistan.

“Such infrastructure not only protects communities and supports economic growth but also contributes in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” stressed Muhammad Saleem, spokesperson of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC). Talking to WealthPK, he said: “The intensifying climate crisis continues to threaten the country’s weak infrastructure.”

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is one of the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts as frequency of natural disasters is very high in the region. “Pakistan’s critical infrastructure, especially roads, water and power supply networks, and urban centres were vulnerable to natural disasters,” he noted. 

He said that there is a dire need for building climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate-induced shocks and support long-term development. He said the SDG-9 stipulates building resilient infrastructure, and ensuring innovation and sustainable industrialisation. Saleem said that recently, the government introduced the Challenge Fund for building climate-resilient infrastructure supported by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The fund would be implemented with the cooperation of Adam Smith International (ASI), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Pakistan, and MoCC&EC.  He said: “The fund focuses on strategic solutions for addressing local vulnerabilities through high-impact, gender-responsive, and scalable infrastructure. It will empower relevant government set-ups to develop and implement innovative climate-resilient infrastructure projects for SDGs and the wellbeing of communities.

It will help ensure that the country’s infrastructure can withstand the growing threats of climatic impacts.”  The spokesperson for the ministry of climate change said that Challenge Fund is not only about building infrastructure, and it will also be a capacity builder concerning adaptation. “It will provide organisations, firms, and communities with technical expertise and operational capabilities required for climate-resilient infrastructure development.”

He said: “Proper funding is needed to support the design, construction and upgradation of infrastructure projects with a focus on climate resilience. The funding arrangement can be ensured through public-private partnerships.” The ministry official said the expertise and financial resources of the private sector would go a long way in building a climate-resilient infrastructure in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Saleh Mangrio, Executive Director, Centre for Rural Change, Sindh, said: “Climate-resilient infrastructure is very critical to achieving sustainable development goals. “To ensure the continuous development, vulnerability reduction and to safeguard people’s wellbeing, the country’s infrastructure must be planned, designed and built keeping in view future climate impacts.

To achieve the SDGs and guarantee more sustainable and equitable future, the integration of climatic resilience into infrastructure projects is necessary,” stressed Mangrio.

Credit: INP-WealthPk