Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including decreased crop yields, extreme weather events, and a lack of water.
The United States and Pakistan are leading the charge with a groundbreaking partnership: the US-Pakistan Green Alliance — as the world struggles to address the urgent need to combat climate change.
This dynamic partnership, which aims to advance bilateral cooperation on sustainable development, clean energy, and climate action, is expected to not only strengthen efforts to combat climate change but also to spur economic growth, enhance quality of life, and serve as a role model for other nations.
US Ambassador Donald Bloom described the partnership as “a prime example of a strong and enduring partnership aimed at improving the lives of Pakistanis and Americans” during a meeting with senior journalists.
Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including decreased crop yields, extreme weather events, and a lack of water.
The nation also has a difficult time meeting its expanding energy needs, which has increased the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and accelerated environmental degradation. The alliance supports green transportation, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy as part of its effort to overcome these challenges (RE).
It also seeks to create fresh opportunities for Pakistan’s economic expansion and development. The alliance aims to transform Pakistan’s economy while advancing environmental sustainability by making investments in sustainable infrastructure, innovation, and research and development.
The US Pakistan Green Alliance main goals are as follows: One: Increasing the capacity and effectiveness of renewable energy sources: The US has long supported Pakistan’s energy industry. The US is investing in RE projects in Pakistan as part of the alliance to assist Pakistan in developing its RE capacity.
Supporting updates for the Mangla and Tarbela Dam power plants are included. Tarbela Dam’s lifespan will be extended by 30 years, and Mangla Dam’s capacity will both increase after completion.
Additionally, the US is backing the solarization initiative, which calls for the installation of 10,000MW of solar energy, enough to power more than a third of Pakistani households. These initiatives will help Pakistan achieve its target of increasing its share of renewable energy from 34% to 60% by 2030.
In order to increase Pakistan’s energy efficiency—particularly in the industrial and transportation sectors—the US will also offer technical assistance. This will reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of climate change.
This assistance consists of a grant for LUMS to advance electric vehicle research and development as well as a $500,000 project to rebuild electrical infrastructure in Sindh’s flood-affected areas.
Two – Supporting water management and sustainable agricultural practises: In the 1960s, when US agronomist and Nobel laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug collaborated with Pakistani scientists to increase the productivity of wheat varieties by 25%, the US famously supported Pakistan’s “Green Revolution.”
Similar to that, this alliance aims to advance sustainable agricultural methods in order to raise productivity and lessen the sector’s environmental impact.
The Horticultural Advancement Activity in K-P and Balochistan has assisted more than 12,000 farmers in improving management practises and technologies on 2,000 hectares, increasing yield and lowering harvest and post-harvest losses. The Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activity has introduced cutting-edge tools and technologies to nearly 150,000 farmers.
Additionally, Gilgit-irrigation Baltistan’s has been improved on 5,500 hectares thanks to US assistance, creating more than 4,000 jobs and assisting 5,707 farmers in raising their yields.
The US will start new programmes to support the industry as part of the alliance, including the “Fertilizer Right” programme, a climate-smart agricultural programme, studies, and capacity building to improve waste management practises, and methane abatement through changes in animal feed, reproductive health, and manure management. These projects will total $4.5 million over four years.