A major step has been reported towards addressing climate change in Pakistan, as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $304.5 million for two projects.
According to a spokesperson for the Economic Affairs Division, the Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project, worth $180.5 million, will directly benefit the districts of Thatta, Sujawal and Badin. For this project, the Asian Development Bank will provide a loan of $140 million and a technical assistance grant of $0.5 million.
A second initiative, the Punjab Climate Resilient and Agricultural Mechanisation Project, valued at $124 million, will support increased agricultural productivity and reduced environmental risks across 30 districts of the province. Under this project, the ADB will provide a loan of $120 million and a grant of $4 million.
The Punjab government will contribute $5 million. The project will improve access for small farmers to climate-smart agricultural machinery. Moreover, the ADB officials said these projects will play an important role in protecting coastal communities, modernising agriculture and reducing emissions.
