In a groundbreaking partnership aimed at tackling water scarcity across South Asia, WWF and GSK have joined forces to restore and conserve freshwater resources in the water-stressed Indus River Basin in Pakistan and the Sutlej River Basin in India.
This multi-million-pound, five-year initiative by WWF, the world’s leading conservation organization, and global biopharma company GSK seeks to address the growing water crisis, improve local water management practices, and protect vital ecosystems, all while supporting sustainable business operations in the region.
Through this partnership, both organizations aim to replenish over 300,000m³ of water and positively impact the lives of more than 100,000 people by 2030.
Key Highlights of WWF-GSK Freshwater Conservation Initiative
- Target Regions: Indus River Basin (Pakistan) and Sutlej River Basin (India)
- Water Replenishment: Aiming to replenish 300,000m³ of water by 2030
- Community Impact: It will benefit over 100,000 people in local areas
- Biodiversity Focus: Protect and restore freshwater habitats for species like river dolphins and otters
- Nature-Based Solutions: Implement sustainable water management and promote efficient water use
- Flood Risk Management: Establish early warning systems in flood-prone regions
- The partnerships aims to contribute to the restoration of 30% of global freshwater ecosystems by 2030.
Restoring Freshwater Ecosystems for People and Business
The partnership seeks to address the growing stress on global freshwater resources, which are essential not only for human health but also for the production of medicines and vaccines. These freshwater ecosystems are under increasing threat due to climate change, pollution, and inefficient water management, posing risks to both biodiversity and the resilience of businesses dependent on water for their manufacturing processes.
Under this collaboration, WWF and GSK will implement innovative, nature-based solutions aimed at replenishing more than 300,000 cubic meters of water. The program is expected to positively impact over 100,000 local people by 2030, with a focus on the protection and restoration of freshwater habitats.
The initiatives will target the restoration of populations of freshwater species, including river dolphins and otters, and will improve sustainable water management practices. Additionally, the program will promote efficient water use in local farms, communities, and organizations, as well as provide access to clean water and flood early warning systems in vulnerable areas.
GSK’s extensive operations in these river basins, including three manufacturing sites and numerous suppliers, make this region crucial for the company’s production of medicines to treat respiratory and infectious diseases.
Regis Simard, GSK’s President of Global Supply Chain, stated that the company is partnering with WWF to drive meaningful change in water-stressed regions of Pakistan and India, where GSK operates several manufacturing sites and works with numerous key suppliers.
“By ensuring a sustainable water supply, we can continue to develop and deliver medicines and vaccines that prevent and change the course of disease. Collaborating with partners within and outside of our sector is crucial to achieve our ambitious nature goals, including on freshwater,” Regis Simard said
Addressing Water Scarcity and Climate Change Threats
The partnership comes at a time when Pakistan, where the Indus River Basin is a crucial water source, faces severe challenges related to water scarcity, contamination, and inefficient usage.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, stressed the importance of cross-industry collaboration: “Water management is a pressing issue in Pakistan, with increasing water scarcity, contamination, and inefficient usage posing serious risks to public health, agriculture, and industry. It is crucial that all industries contribute to addressing the nature emergency. Companies like GSK are setting an example by not only minimizing their water usage but also investing in water replenishment initiatives.”
He added, “Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is impacting our ecosystems and the operational stability of businesses. Through our collaboration, we can build a sustainable future that protects, restores, and replenishes vital freshwater resources, while fostering a climate-resilient business landscape for generations to come.”
Urgency of Protecting Freshwater Species
The partnership’s efforts to restore freshwater habitats also aim to protect at-risk wildlife populations, especially those in the Indus River Basin. Sohail Ali Naqvi, Director of Freshwater at WWF-Pakistan, highlighted the challenges faced by the basin: “The Indus River Basin, including the delta, is confronted with multiple challenges, including pollution, reduced river flows, construction of dams and canals, and climate change. This results in biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, human migration, and changes in livelihood patterns of native communities.”
He continued, “Protecting and restoring the freshwater resources of the basin is crucial to WWF’s mission to bend the curve on biodiversity loss and deliver on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets.”
Global Freshwater Initiatives
This partnership aligns with global efforts to protect 30% of oceans, lands, and freshwaters by 2030. It supports initiatives like the Freshwater Challenge, which aims to restore 300,000 km of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands by the same year. By working together, WWF and GSK will not only benefit local communities and ecosystems but also demonstrate leadership in sustainability for the pharmaceutical sector.
As the world’s freshwater resources continue to face unprecedented pressures, the partnership between WWF and GSK sets a compelling example of how businesses and conservation organizations can come together to tackle environmental challenges while supporting the health of people and the planet.