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.
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