Hydrology (Oct 2023)

Sea-Level Rise in Pakistan: Recommendations for Strengthening Evidence-Based Coastal Decision-Making

  • Jennifer H. Weeks,
  • Syeda Nadra Ahmed,
  • Joseph D. Daron,
  • Benjamin J. Harrison,
  • Peter Hogarth,
  • Tariq Ibrahim,
  • Asif Inam,
  • Arshi Khan,
  • Faisal Ahmed Khan,
  • Tariq Masood Ali Khan,
  • Ghulam Rasul,
  • Nadia Rehman,
  • Akhlaque A. Qureshi,
  • Sardar Sarfaraz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10110205
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 11
p. 205

Abstract

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Pakistan is vulnerable to a range of climate hazards, including sea-level rise. The Indus Delta region, situated in the coastal Sindh province, is particularly at risk of sea-level rise due to low-lying land and fragile ecosystems. In this article, expertise is drawn together from the newly established Pakistan Sea-Level Working Group, consisting of policy experts, scientists, and practitioners, to provide recommendations for future research, investment, and coastal risk management. An assessment of the current scientific understanding of sea-level change and coastal climate risks in Pakistan highlights an urgent need to improve the availability and access to sea-level data and other coastal measurements. In addition, reflecting on the policy environment and the enablers needed to facilitate effective responses to future sea-level change, recommendations are made to integrate coastal climate services into the National Adaptation Plan and develop a National Framework for Climate Services. Such a framework, alongside collaboration, co-production, and capacity development, could help support required improvements in coastal observations and monitoring and continuously deliver useful, usable, and accessible sea-level information for use by practitioners and decision-makers.

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