In a historic announcement at the COP28 summit in Dubai, Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar introduced ‘Recharge Pakistan’ – a groundbreaking seven-year-long $77.8 million initiative aimed at leveraging nature to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
The initiative is set to be a transformative step for Pakistan in safeguarding itself against the adverse effects of climate change. For the past 20 years, Pakistan has consistently ranked among the top 10 most vulnerable countries on the Climate Risk Index.
The announcement was made during COP28, where a congregation of delegates, environmentalists, and world leaders gathered to deliberate on solutions to climate change-related challenges.
Urgent call for Climate Action
Prime Minister Kakar addressed the global community at COP28, stressing the urgent need for collective action against climate change. “The Recharge Pakistan project is a flagship project, central to our efforts to reducing flooding and drought impacts,” he said, adding that the project would not only benefit millions of Pakistanis but also serve as a model for climate innovation at a global scale.
He underscored the centrality of the Indus Basin in Pakistan’s adaptation efforts, stating, “The majority of Pakistan is part of the Indus Basin and to adapt Pakistan to climate change, we must adapt the Indus Basin to climate change. The Government of Pakistan is clear on its priorities with the Living Indus; which emphasizes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that seek to mobilize a movement which will restore and promote a healthy Indus.”
Recharge Pakistan secured $77.8 million in grants
Recharge Pakistan has secured a total of $77.8 million in grants, with significant contributions from key partners. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) leads the way with $66 million in funds, complemented by $5 million from USAID, another $5 million from The Coca-Cola Foundation, and a contribution of $1.8 million from WWF.
Recharge Pakistan objectives
This initiative aims to revolutionize Pakistan’s environmental practices, employing nature-based solutions to enhance ecosystem adaptability. A primary focus is fortifying the Indus Basin’s health, making it more resilient to climate change, and safeguarding the vulnerable communities in the region.
The emphasis on “green infrastructure” and the utilization of nature to adapt is pivotal given the escalating frequency and severity of climate change incidents, compounding Pakistan’s economic challenges. The approval by GCF underscores its global recognition for its significance in enhancing Pakistan’s resilience to climate change.
Dr. Adil Najam, President of WWF, hailed the project as a testament to the shared responsibility toward the environment. “This is a momentous occasion for Pakistan as the Recharge Pakistan project is a testament to the shared responsibility we bear towards our environment and communities. Because of the 2022 floods, we stood at a crossroads as to how we perceive climate adaptation in Pakistan. With this project we are restoring the Indus Basin and fortifying Pakistan’s resilience,” he said.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the right finance, partnerships, and planning, considering the project a classic example of all three. “The climate crises demands the right finance, the right partnerships and the right planning. This project is a classic example of all three. Through ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, we are taking a bold step towards safeguarding our ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come.”
Collaborative Endeavor
Recharge Pakistan is a collaborative effort involving Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, the Federal Flood Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources, local communities in Dera Ismail Khan, the Ramak Watershed, and Manchar-Chakar Watershed, along with key international partners such as the Green Climate Fund, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Federal Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ahmad Irfan Aslam, Coca-Cola Foundation Vice President Saadia Madsbjerg, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International President Dr. Adil Najam also joined the ‘Recharge Pakistan’ unveiling ceremony at COP28.
Speaking at the event, Saadia Madsbjerg said the Coca-Cola Foundation is pleased to contribute $5 million as part of a collaborative funding effort addressing a complex issue. Given that 90% of Pakistan’s agricultural production relies on the Indus Basin, implementing nature-based solutions for river health is crucial for long-term sustainability, she added.
US Ambassador to Pakistan hails “Recharge Pakistan” initiative
The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome praised Recharge Pakistan as a groundbreaking partnership, placing communities at the forefront of climate and resource management decision-making.
Recalling that the United States and Pakistan have a long history of working together to solve development and humanitarian challenges, Ambassador Blome stated “The United States and Pakistan have identified water resilience, water governance, and water productivity as areas critical to helping Pakistan build climate resilience through our “Green Alliance” framework. By transforming Pakistan’s approach to flood mitigation and water resource management, Recharge Pakistan supports and advances these goals.”
He said the project would help Pakistan pivot toward ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure. And perhaps most importantly, it puts communities at the center of climate and resource management decision-making.
The U.S. Ambassador mentioned these intended outcomes of ‘Recharge Pakistan’ project:
- It will build Pakistan’s water resource capacity and improve agricultural output.
- It will help rural economies adapt to climate risk and improve sustainability.
- It will help restore degraded watersheds and build resilience in the regions hardest hit by the 2022 floods.
- It will improve livelihoods by mitigating and reducing the losses generated by the country’s drought-flood cycle.
The program’s interventions will directly benefit nearly 700,000 Pakistanis, and indirectly benefit more than 7 million more with project work across three provinces: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.