Islamabad, Sept 10, 2024: “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”. This was stated by Romina Khurshid, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination during the launch of the Recharge Pakistan project at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services, Islamabad. 

 

Recharge Pakistan aims to improve the resilience of some of the country’s most vulnerable communities affected by the impacts of climate change. 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, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) and WWF. 

 

The project will be implemented by WWF-Pakistan, in close collaboration with government departments and local communities at select sites in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh and Balochistan provinces; and aims to address imminent and emerging environmental challenges the country faces such as super floods, widespread rains, heatwaves and droughts. 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Musadiq Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources shared that “While there are many proposed solutions to climate change, too often they overlook the essential human element. 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. Our commitment to climate justice means that every solution we implement is grounded in the needs and voices of those who will be most affected.”

 

The project seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and green infrastructure as innovative additions to the nation’s traditional grey infrastructure solutions, or the public systems built to manage water resources and storm water to flood and drought in Pakistan’s Indus River basin. Through a multifaceted approach, including the restoration and rehabilitation of water flow paths and channels and the development of recharge basins and retention areas, the project is estimated to directly benefit more than 680,000 people and indirectly support more than 7 million.

 

Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said “Today marks a decisive and bold step in Pakistan’s climate journey. 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.”

 

Speaking on the occasion, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan said “This is a significant day, not just for us at WWF-Pakistan but for all of Pakistan. Recharge Pakistan is the need of the hour for our country, a blueprint for Climate Action. For too long, Pakistan has relied on grey infrastructure as a beacon of ‘development,’ a model that mostly ignores environmental impact. Recharge Pakistan prioritises nature-based solutions and goes beyond protection from immediate threats like floods. Through these interventions, we are aiming to reduce flood extent by 50,800 hectares and capture an estimated 20 million cubic metres of water. But more than that, we are aiming to build an evidence base to guide greater investment in ecosystem-based approaches for climate change resilience."

 

"Recharge Pakistan is a special investment for us and a moment of pride for the development community. We are excited to provide USD 5 million as part of a coalition that has successfully brought together multiple partners to help resolve a complex problem. The Coca-Cola Foundation’s goal is to leave a measurable and lasting impact in communities around the world, and the USD 77.8 million ecosystem-based Recharge Pakistan project will help support transformational change for communities susceptible to the threat of floods along the Indus River", remarked Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation.

 

Donald Blome, US Ambassador to Pakistan, Daudi Sumba, Chief Conservation Officer WWF-International; Lucas Black, Vice President Climate Finance WWF-US; Nadeem Khalid, President WWF-Pakistan; and Stuart Orr, Global Freshwater Lead WWF-International, and Aisha Sarwari, Senior Director Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Pakistan and Afghanistan Region, The Coca Cola Company, were also present at the event.