An initiative of the Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, Recharge Pakistan is an unprecedented collaboration that aims to reduce climate vulnerability through ecosystem-based adaptation and integrated flood risk management.

Pakistan has faced the full force of climate change. From prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods, extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, placing millions at risk and pushing communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure beyond their limits. Over the past century, the average temperature has increased by 0.57°C, and rainfall has risen by 25 per cent, intensifying floods, landslides, and droughts. Ranked among the world’s top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, Pakistan’s water infrastructure has been pushed beyond capacity and is struggling to keep up

Over 33 million people were affected, 8 million displaced, 2 million homes damaged or destroyed, and agricultural land spanning 4 million acres washed away. The economic toll exceeded USD 15 billion, exposing the stark inadequacy of Pakistan’s existing flood management systems. As climate change outpaces the capabilities of traditional grey infrastructure, the need for a paradigm shift became even more evident – one which is complementary and works with nature, rather than against it.

Local communities are expected to see additional benefits from these nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding—including reduced erosion and landslide risk—as increased vegetation stabilizes soil, enhancing the recharge of groundwater supply and improving the base flow of rivers and springs in the dry season. Evidence gathered about the effectiveness, efficacy and sustainability of the interventions will inform updated government procedures to reduce flood and drought impacts. The project will also train government staff and communities in the design and management of these interventions for use in future country-driven projects.

The project's core interventions include:

1. Demonstrate the effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure: Recharge Pakistan is restoring the Indus Basin’s natural defences by combining Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) with carefully designed green infrastructure. The project will restore 14,215 hectares of degraded forests and wetlands in Dera Ismail Khan, rehabilitate 34 km of water flow paths in Ramak Watershed and Manchar Lake, and construct 127 green infrastructure interventions across DI Khan, Ramak, Manchar, and Chakar Lehri watersheds. These efforts are designed to slow, absorb, and redirect floodwaters — reducing disaster risk for vulnerable downstream communities while improving biodiversity, water retention, and soil health. In total, these interventions are expected to reduce flooding extent across more than 50,000 hectares of land.

2. Create an enabling environment for climate action in Pakistan:

Beyond on-the-ground restoration, Recharge Pakistan is helping to embed Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into Pakistan’s national and provincial planning systems. By supporting the integration of EbA and green infrastructure into key policies, including the National Water Policy, the National Adaptation Plan, and Provincial Adaptation Plans, the project is laying the groundwork for long-term, climate-smart governance. These shifts will be supported by scientifically grounded procedures, enabling government institutions to make informed decisions and allocate future investments that complement traditional grey infrastructure. The goal is to move from isolated adaptation actions to a systems-based, policy-aligned model of resilience.

3. Enhance community resilience in Pakistan's Indus Basin:

At the heart of Recharge Pakistan is a commitment to the people who live along the Indus River and depend on it for their survival. The project will work with farmers to introduce climate-resilient agricultural practices that can better withstand shifting rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and water scarcity. At the same time, small businesses, particularly in the agriculture and forestry sectors, will be supported to adapt and diversify their income sources, reducing pressure on ecosystems and creating more stable livelihoods. By offering alternatives to unsustainable practices, the project will help reduce ecosystem degradation and increase the long-term resilience of communities across the basin.

Nature-based solutions are Pakistan’s best hope to secure water, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience.

Healthy, connected rivers sustain both people and biodiversity. Yet freshwater species have declined by 85% since 1970, and floods cause nearly one-third of all disaster-related economic losses globally. With billions vulnerable to climate change and half the world facing water scarcity annually, Pakistan’s water challenges are urgent. At 2°C warming, flood damages may double, making nature-based solutions essential.

Recharge Pakistan is leading the way by restoring river ecosystems and building climate resilience, showing how nature-based approaches can secure water and livelihoods for communities and nature alike.