ISLAMABAD: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on Monday launched the ‘Climate Resilience Programme’ that aims to proactively identify risks and build resilience to climate change to enhance the resilience of water stewardship and sustainable agriculture in Punjab.

The programme was launched in Islamabad to mark World Environment Day at a two-day workshop titled, ‘Integrated Resilience Action Planning for Climate Change’ aimed at bringing together the collective wisdom of key stakeholders from government entities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector. WWF launched the programme in collaboration with coca-cola with whom the organisation has a decade-long partnership encompassing a strong sustainable agenda.

Speaking on the occasion, WWF Pakistan Director-General Hammad Naqi Khan highlighted the severe impact of climate change on water resources in Pakistan. “The devastating 2022 floods resulted in significant production losses for key crops. These extreme events are clear indications of climate change.

“Pakistan’s irrigation system, one of the largest globally, suffers from inefficiencies, leading to substantial water loss. In this context, it’s vital to recognise the potential role of the corporate sector in providing leadership and implementing water stewardship strategies for better water resource management,” he said.

WWF official says initiative to improve water governance

WWF-Pakistan is committed towards building resilience through initiatives like these. To address water and food security challenges, it is crucial to improve water governance, transform the agri-food system, and enhance institutional capacity building, he said.

“We believe we can strengthen our mutual commitments towards climate resilience to create an integrated framework and solve complex climate change disasters,” said Aisha Sarwari, director public affairs and communications, Coca-Cola Pakistan and Afghanistan Region.

Recently, WWF-Pakistan also conducted a watershed health assessment study in the Ravi Basin supported by the grant funding provided by Coca-Cola, which identified key water-related issues in the area. Based on this local assessment, the next phase of the project will develop interventions that will help develop a watershed management plan.

These will cater to the river’s improved water quality and quantity, better ecosystem, and infrastructure improvement and development, WWF highlighted.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023