In an ambitious move to address the mounting impacts of climate change, Pakistan launched the ‘Recharge Pakistan’ – a climate initiative that aims to strengthen flood resilience and improve water security in some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
The initiative was launched at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in Islamabad on September 10.
What is Recharge Pakistan?
Recharge Pakistan is a seven-year-long $77.8 million initiative with significant contributions from key partners. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) leads the way with $66 million in funds, complemented by $5 million from US Agency for International Development (USAID), another $5 million from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), and a contribution of $1.8 million from WWF. The project was announced by Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister at the COP28 summit in Dubai, UAE.
Recharge Pakistan is designed to build resilience in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities, affected by severe environmental challenges such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts. The project is supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC), the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) under the Ministry of Water Resources, GCF, USAID, TCCF and WWF.
Key facts
- This project will build Pakistan’s climate resilience and water security through cost-effective ecosystem-based adaptation.
- Recharge Pakistan will increase water storage and recharge through wetlands, floodplains, and hill-torrents management; promote climate-adapted community-based natural resource management and livelihoods.
- The project aims to reduce flood extent by 50,800 hectares and capture an estimated 20 million cubic metres of water.
- The project’s interventions will directly benefit over 680,000 people and will indirectly benefit close to 7 million people.
Pakistan Government, WWF and partners unveil Recharge Pakistan for Climate Action
At the project launch ceremony in Islamabad, Romina Khurshid, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, highlighted the urgent need for climate action. “Pakistan has been witnessing devastating floods, widespread rains and worsening heat waves which threaten our communities, economy and infrastructure. The government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, is committed to mitigating these climate-related risks, and building resilience against the adverse effects of climate change,” she said.
The launch ceremony in Islamabad on Sept 10 was attended by Donald Blome, US Ambassador to Pakistan; Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan; Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change; Musadiq Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources; Daudi Sumba, Chief Conservation Officer WWF-International; Lucas Black, Vice President Climate Finance WWF-US; Nadeem Khalid, President WWF-Pakistan; Stuart Orr, Global Freshwater Lead WWF-International, and Aisha Sarwari, Senior Director Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Pakistan and Afghanistan Region.
Musadiq Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources, emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions: “This project is different; it is built on the principle that true resilience comes from working directly with communities. By placing people at the center of our efforts, we are not just addressing flood risks and climate impacts, but also ensuring that the most vulnerable are empowered and actively involved in shaping their own futures.” He added that the Recharge Pakistan initiative empowers vulnerable groups by involving them in shaping their future while addressing climate risks and flood management.
The project aims to demonstrate the efficacy of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and green infrastructure alongside traditional grey infrastructure solutions. The interventions, which include restoring water flow paths, creating recharge basins, and retention areas, are projected to directly benefit over 680,000 people and indirectly support more than 7 million across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, hailed the initiative as a bold step in Pakistan’s climate journey. “By taking this proactive approach, we are setting a powerful example of how targeted, community-driven solutions can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change,” she said.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, described Recharge Pakistan as a blueprint for climate action. “This initiative represents a significant contribution to adaptation efforts, addressing the pressing climate issues that the world is increasingly facing. We cannot overlook the accelerated impacts and the urgent timeline we are confronted with. By taking this proactive approach, we are setting a powerful example of how targeted, community-driven solutions can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change,” she stated.
Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, added that Recharge Pakistan is a key investment aimed at resolving the complex issue of flood risks along the Indus River. The foundation has committed USD 5 million to the project, which aims to leave a lasting impact on communities vulnerable to climate change.
US partnership with Pakistan on Water Management
U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome also expressed support for the project, noting the long-standing collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan on water management. “Groundwater is critical to providing families with clean drinking water, to irrigating crops, and to raising livestock. Much like a battery, groundwater powers the land, enables crops to grow, and provides clean water so people can not only survive but thrive,” he remarked.
Blome highlighted that Recharge Pakistan will rehabilitate floodwater channels, restore wetlands, and reduce flooding hazards over 50,000 hectares. “Recharge Pakistan’s network of green infrastructure projects will rehabilitate floodwater channels, rerouting excess water away from where people live and work. It will reforest and restore wetlands to prevent dangerous runoff. It will revitalize the soil’s ability to absorb excess water and store it underground. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 52,900 tons of carbon dioxide. And it will replenish the water supply by creating 127 new groundwater storage basins.”
Amb Blome: I am delighted to be here as we join our partners in launching Recharge Pakistan – an ambitious climate initiative that will strengthen flood resilience and improve water security in some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/3EXHYfh9bK
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) September 10, 2024
Blome further emphasized the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, which has already contributed to renewable energy, smart agriculture, and water management initiatives in Pakistan. The U.S. has pledged an additional $5 million to the GCF for Recharge Pakistan, underscoring its commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to mitigate climate change.
The United States’ partnership with Pakistan on water management has a long history dating back to the 1960s and inldudes collaboration on the Mangla, Tarbela, Gomal Zam and Satpara dams that provide more than 9%5 of Pakistan’s water storage capacity, generates clean energy, mitigates floods, and bolsters Pakistan’s economy. U.S. is also bringing new investment in renewable energy to help Pakistan achieve its ambitious goal of reaching 60 percent renewable energy by 2030, he added