PM launches $77.8m ‘Recharge Pakistan’ initiative at COP28 to combat climate change

In a historic announcement at the COP28 summit in Dubai on Saturday, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar unveiled the ambitious "Recharge Pakistan" initiative, a seven-year, $77.8 million effort aimed at utilising nature to enhance climate change adaptation in the country.

The announcement was made at Pakistan’s pavilion at COP28, where delegates, environmentalists, and world leaders gathered to discuss and find solutions to climate change-related challenges, a statement from the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and the Ministry of Climate Change said.

Recharge Pakistan has unlocked $77.8 million in grants – with $66 million from the Global Climate Fund (GFC); $5 million from USAID; $5 million from The Coca-Cola Foundation, and $1.8 million from WWF. 

The statement said that the activity will revolutionise the way Pakistan takes care of its environment. “It will use nature-based solutions and help ecosystems adapt. It will also improve the health of the Indus Basin, making it stronger against climate change, and protecting the vulnerable people in that area,” it added.

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At COP28, Dr Adil Najam, president of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International, emphasised the personal significance of understanding the Indus River's narrative and the Living Indus Initiative. Advocating for collaborative efforts, he acknowledged Pakistan's challenges and envisioned a healthy Indus. 

QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, highlighted FAO's role in shaping Pakistan's agriculture sector and discussed plans to adapt collaboration models for effective climate change solutions. 

Dr Rachael McDonnell stressed the impact of climate change on water resources, emphasising the need for technology and collaborations in water-associated initiatives. 

Xiaohong Yang from ADB outlined the shift to green infrastructure, recognising the importance of private sector investment in addressing Pakistan's unique challenges for a thriving Living Indus.

Focusing on “green infrastructure” and using nature to adapt is an important move because climate change incidents are happening more and getting worse, making Pakistan’s financial problems even bigger. The fact that the Global Climate Fund (GFC) has approved this activity shows that the world understands its importance for Pakistan’s climate change resilience.

“Recharge Pakistan is a groundbreaking partnership between our two governments, the Green Climate Fund, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund,” US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome said.

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He said that not only does the initiative help Pakistan pivot towards ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure, but it places the country’s communities at the centre of climate and resource management decision-making.

Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation stated, “We are excited to provide USD 5 million as part of a funding coalition that has successfully brought multiple partners to resolve a complex problem. With our partners, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the vulnerable Pakistani communities susceptible to the threat of floods along the Indus River. 90% of agricultural production in Pakistan is supported by the Indus Basin, and nature-based solutions to improve river health are therefore a critical part of long-term sustainability.” 

Director General WWF-Pakistan Hammad Naqi Khan in his closing remarks at the session stated, “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. We are thankful to all the stakeholders for ensuring that this project has come to fruition.”

Recharge Pakistan is a collaborative effort of 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, the Green Climate Fund, the US Agency for International Development, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund.

Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, Blome said that the Recharge Pakistan initiative will help Pakistan pivot toward ecosystem-based adaptation across three of the nation’s provinces directly benefitting 700,000 Pakistanis and indirectly benefitting 7 million more.  

He further said that the groundbreaking programme puts local communities at the centre of climate decision-making.