Integrated Flood Risk Management
To protect and improve the livelihoods and infrastructure of the coastal zone of Sindh province, Pakistan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) asked Resilient Coasts to undertake a scoping study to assess climate change-related risks in the area. As a result of this, and the engineering opportunities it highlighted, a concept paper was drafted. Major loans and grants for development of the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) activities have since been secured and the close relationship between the SCRP and Resilient Coasts continues.
Scoping Study
The SCRP is a proposed investment project by the ADB on resilient coastal zone livelihoods and infrastructure for Sindh province. The scoping study, led by Resilient Coasts, focused on an assessment of the climate change-related risks on livelihoods and infrastructure in the coastal area. The study recommended framework and interventions for future risk management consistent with the objectives of Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, and federal and provincial strategies and policies.
The work comprised of a critical review of the literature and ongoing investment activities, consultation with key government and civil society stakeholders, and site visits to relevant coastal areas. These scoping exercises helped to identify numerous opportunities for the SCRP to implement nature-based solutions to achieve coastal resilience and combat the threats from climate change and flooding. The draft concept paper in line with the ADB and government requirements was presented to the Sindh government and the ADB board for loan of circa $120m and grant TA of $2m in February 2020. This led to development in the project and Resilient Coasts were requested to complete additional services for furthering the SCRP.
When the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project of the Asian Development Bank sought to further coastal resilience in Sindh province by exploring a viable adaptation approach, understanding the benefits of mangroves, engaging with stakeholders and commissioning reports on water policy and quality regulation, we were happy to offer our support. As coastal engineering specialists, we continue to be involved in the engineering and policy planning for this project.
Enhancing Coastal Resilience
Following initial workshops, scoping reports and site visits, Resilient Coasts were enlisted to lead development of the SCRP. Lessons learned were synthesized to produce specific action plans and terms of reference which could be used for a PRF/TRTA grant (circa $5m) and a KTSA loan (Phase 1 circa $150m, Phase 2 and 3 further $800m investment).
Resilient Coasts drafted several reports for the development of the SCRP. These included a synthesis of lessons learned from the World Bank Inspection Panel findings; advice on future water policy and quality regulation; a recommended adaptation approach for resilience; stakeholder engagement reports from primary data collated in the Indus delta catchment; and an overview report on the benefits of mangroves (an especially important habitat in this area for the ecosystem services and flood protection that they provide) in future planning. Resilient Coasts provided these services under the KSTA project and are now involved in specific engineering and policy planning to implement coastal resilience measures in the Sindh province.