ll eyes were on Dubai these past two weeks. As the city played host for COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties, much of the world (re. Global South) held its breath in anticipation of the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund. The Fund, which was announced last year at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, in the backdrop of devastating floods in Pakistan, had generated considerable international debate over the need for a robust mechanism to help vulnerable countries adequately compensate for climate induced losses.

At COP28, the Loss and Damage Fund was finally announced with commitments so far amounting to almost $700 million. This is a minute amount, especially when you consider that by 2030 developing countries will require up to $2 trillion to account for climate induced loss and damage.

The primary output of COP28 was the Global Stock-take, a process whereby countries can assess whether they are collectively on the path to meet the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement, and to offer an equitable pathway towards it. Analyses have revealed that we will cross 1.5 degree Celsius of warming in the next 10 years; thus, necessitating an ambitious climate agenda that accounts for the mitigation and adaptation needs as well as development challenges of the developing world.

In this regard, an instrumental development at the conference was the decision to “transition away” from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. While this is being hailed by many, it is important to note that stronger language requiring a global, equitable “phase out” of fossil fuels could not find a place in the final text. This has led vulnerable nations such as Samoa to question the efficacy of the outcome of COP28.

Another key aspect under discussion was the Global Goal on Adaptation. Yet, there was no promise in the final text to support the developing and vulnerable countries in adapting to the climate crisis through enhanced and equitable (grant based) financing and capacity building.

Climate adaptation is integral to the well-being of the most vulnerable countries such as Pakistan. It is in this context that Prime Minister Anwar-ul Haq Kakar took centre stage in Dubai to unveil Recharge Pakistan, a climate adaptation initiative. This transformative $77.8 million Green Climate Fund-supported project, with additional funding from the USAID, The Coca Cola Foundation and WWF-Pakistan, is the single largest financial grant provided by the GCF to Pakistan and marks a significant stride in fortifying the country against the escalating impacts of climate change. Aligned with the Pakistan government’s Living Indus Initiative, Recharge Pakistan is a flagship project that aims to reshape the country’s approach to climate resilience and provides a model for sustainable development and climate adaptation.

Its roots can be traced back to the devastating super floods of 2010, in the aftermath of which WWF-Pakistan spearheaded the planning process, in collaboration with WWF-US, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Federal Flood Commission. In 2022, floods ravaged the country again, further escalating the need and urgency for such a project, making its relevance to Pakistan apparent to all stakeholders involved.

The GCF is often criticised for its stringent mechanisms in reviewing projects and hopeful organisations often have to navigate through a myriad of checks to meet the standards. This development, however, bodes well for Pakistan in general and is a reflection of something much more significant. It becomes a testament to Pakistan’s evolving technical prowess and capacity in the realm of climate resilience. This successful engagement with the GCF also signals that Pakistan is gradually developing the expertise to replicate and scale similar processes, offering a hopeful prospect for the country’s future endeavours in securing international climate financing.

Secondly, it also highlights that there is huge potential for Pakistan to tap into climate financing that steers clear from exacerbating its already burgeoning national debt. The government, especially post-2022 floods, has strongly advocated for more flexible financing instruments such as grants-based climate financing as opposed to traditional loan structures. Such innovative models are crucial for heavily indebted countries like Pakistan as they can relieve the burden of repayment.

Pioneering ecosystem based adaptation

The assessments conducted as part of Recharge Pakistan’s feasibility study revealed that the catchments in Indus Basin, primarily Dera Ismail Khan and Chakar Lehri, present not only high levels of ecosystem and community vulnerability in regard to the climate crisis but also an opportunity for ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions. As such, four sites in the catchments were selected as targets. The project sites of Dera Ismail Khan and Ramak fall within the DI Khan catchment while project sites of Chakar Lehri and Manchar fall in the Lehri catchment.

These target ecosystems include forests, riverine areas (including riverbanks), wetlands, water flow paths and channels. The restoration of vegetation in these ecosystems will stabilise currently exposed slopes, slowing run-off and stabilising soils. This will reduce the risk of flooding, landslides and erosion. Concurrently, it will enhance groundwater recharge, as well as the basal flows of rivers and springs. Revegetation of degraded ecosystems along riverbanks, springs and lakes will also help to ensure sustainable water flows and reduce sedimentation.

For long, Pakistan has relied on grey infrastructure as a beacon of ‘development,’ a model that not only ignores environmental impact but is also unsustainable. Reliance on canals, dams and barrages alone, for example, to manage our water, has led to adverse impacts on our ecosystem.

What sets Recharge Pakistan apart is not just its tangible outcomes but the underlying philosophy that recognises the intricate relationship between communities and ecosystems. By prioritising ecosystem-based adaptation, these interventions go beyond mere protection from immediate threats like floods. They lay the groundwork for sustainable livelihoods, fostering a harmonious coexistence that acknowledges the interdependence of communities and their natural surroundings.

Where do we go from here?

Projects such as the Living Indus and Recharge Pakistan present a blueprint for a sustainable future. The success of these projects will define our collective relationship with our natural environment.

The overarching vision of Recharge Pakistan, and broadly, the Living Indus Initiative, extends beyond immediate outcomes. It is a commitment to continuous evolution, ensuring that the lessons gleaned from such projects contribute to a broader understanding of environmental conservation. In this evolving landscape, adaptation becomes a valuable asset in confronting the uncertainties hurled our way by climate change. However, the prevailing consensus among policymakers and experts is that we have only scratched the surface and need to go much further.

The impacts of climate change are ever-growing. The call for greater financing to tackle these challenges resonates loudly. The only question that now remains is whether we are ready to recharge our commitment to the environmental and socio-ecological well-being of the planet?

Dr Imran Saqib Khalid is the governance and policy director at WWF-Pakistan.