Posted on November, 19 2024

Baku, Azerbaijan, 19 November 2024: “COP29 presents a critical opportunity for transformative climate action. The solutions to the climate crisis are already at our disposal, but without sufficient funding, we cannot implement them fast enough or at the scale needed. The time to act is now, and projects such as Recharge Pakistan are essential in driving the kind of change that will ensure a sustainable future” stated Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Global Lead of Climate and Energy at WWF-International, during events organized under the Recharge Pakistan project at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Pioneering a paradigm shift towards Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS), WWF-Pakistan highlighted its ambitious project during two events at the Pakistan and WWF Global Pavilions. Recharge Pakistan, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), USAID, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and WWF, aims to address Pakistan's climate and water security challenges. The project exemplifies a transformative approach to climate resilience, empowering vulnerable communities and revitalizing ecosystems through sustainable interventions. As Pakistan faces mounting climate challenges, from severe flooding to water scarcity, Recharge Pakistan seeks to bolster resilience by restoring wetlands, enhancing groundwater recharge, and conserving critical ecosystems across the country. The program aligns closely with WWF-International’s commitment to harnessing Nature-based Solutions to support vulnerable populations and ecosystems globally.

Speaking at the COP29 conference, Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and said that “The Government of Pakistan is committed to tackling climate change head-on through innovative solutions like Recharge Pakistan. This initiative serves as a powerful example of resilience for countries facing similar challenges. Achieving this, however, requires collaboration and stronger global partnerships to build a sustainable future for Pakistan and the world.”

Speaking at the events, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan underscored the programme’s far-reaching goals and called for systemic change, stating that “Recharge Pakistan is not just about mitigating the impacts of climate change; it is about redefining our relationship with nature to ensure a secure and sustainable future”. He further said that efforts must be made to work towards empowering local communities to contribute positively towards critical ecosystems in Pakistan. Underscoring the project's goals, Muhammad Fawad Hayat, Senior Director Recharge Pakistan, stated “Floods have been consistent, and so must be our efforts. Through Recharge Pakistan, we aim to restore ecosystems and empower communities, envisioning a climate-resilient Pakistan.”

Present at both events, USAID, a key partner of the Recharge Pakistan project, demonstrated strong support for the initiative. Lucas Isakowitz, Senior Climate Finance Advisor at USAID, emphasized the importance of climate adaptation during a panel discussion, stating, “USAID is proud to partner with WWF-Pakistan through the Recharge Pakistan project. Together, we can make strides towards a resilient future by integrating adaptation measures into community planning and environmental conservation.” Kristen Sarri, the acting Chief Climate Officer and Head of the USAID delegation at COP29, highlighted the critical need for strengthening global partnerships, saying “Nature-based solutions hold tremendous potential for adaptation and resilience. We are excited to see this partnership ramp up and demonstrate the benefits of green infrastructure on a large scale.”  

These COP29 events showcased Pakistan's forward-looking approach to climate resilience through Recharge Pakistan, an initiative that exemplifies the power of ecosystem-based adaptation. By building resilience, the programme not only serves as a global model for Nature-based Solutions, but also directly benefits communities in Pakistan that are most vulnerable and on the frontlines of climate change impacts. These efforts continue to inspire and drive transformative climate action.

Other key officials from the climate, environment and governance institutes also spoke at the events, including Faisal Amin Gandapur, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Member Climate Change Authority; Shahid Zaman, Secretary Climate Change, Forestry Environment and Wildlife Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Aisha Humera Moriani, Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan; each underscoring the importance of a unified response to Pakistan’s climate resilience needs.