Stemming Glacial Loss to Achieve Water Security and Climate Resilience Emphasised

Stemming Glacial Loss to Achieve Water Security and Climate Resilience Emphasised

Islamabad, March 21, 2025 – A high-level event held to mark the ‘World Day of Glaciers’ in Islamabad brought together experts and government officials to address the severe threats that Pakistan’s glaciers are facing due to climate change. The event emphasised the vital role glaciers play in the country’s water security, economic stability, and climate resilience, and called for urgent, evidence-based policy actions to stem the loss of glacial mass to ensure sustainability and achieve socio-economic stability.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in collaboration with UNDP Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and other stakeholders, underscored the critical importance of preserving glaciers as part of Pakistan’s broader climate resilience efforts.

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the chief guest at the event, stressed that climate change is a critical survival issue for Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for all stakeholders to join forces through adaptation and mitigation policies across all socio-economic sectors. Minister Aurangzeb expressed growing concern over the rapid melting of glaciers in Pakistan and its wide-ranging socio-economic and environmental impacts.

“The glaciers in Pakistan are crucial to the country’s water supply, with over 60% of our water originating from glacial meltwater that feeds the Indus River. However, rising global temperatures are causing these glaciers to shrink at an alarming rate, threatening to destabilize the country’s already stressed water resources,” Minister Aurangzeb remarked.

He pointed out that Pakistan’s water cycle has been significantly impacted, and globally, 7 billion people are at risk due to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). He commended the work of the Everest-K2 Research Center in this regard but stressed that time is running out to act. Minister Aurangzeb affirmed that the Ministry of Finance would fully support the Ministry of Climate Change and warned that failure to address the climate crisis would severely harm Pakistan’s economy.

He also urged the international community to take coordinated action to address the global issue of glacial melting, which affects many regions worldwide, including Pakistan.

Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, highlighted the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government’s prioritization of glacier conservation. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the ongoing threats to glaciers, especially in Pakistan’s northern regions, and emphasized the critical role these glaciers play in water security, economic stability, and climate resilience.

“Pakistan’s glaciers, particularly in regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, are vital to the country’s water supply, providing over 60% of the water to the Indus River Basin. However, these glaciers are rapidly melting due to climate change, leading to significant risks for both water security and the livelihoods of millions of people,” Dr. Kharal remarked.

The state minister outlined key government policy measures and strategic interventions aimed at addressing glacier loss and enhancing water security. These include the Glacier Conservation Strategy, setting up Glacial Monitoring & Early Warning Systems in glacial areas, integrated water management, climate adaptation and resilience measures, and regional and transboundary cooperation in managing glacial areas and mitigating the risks posed by GLOFs.

Dr. Kharal elaborated on the government’s Glacier Conservation Strategy, a comprehensive framework that integrates glacier preservation with national climate resilience and water security policies. The strategy emphasizes scientific monitoring, community-led conservation efforts, disaster risk reduction, and policy interventions to minimize the impacts of climate change on glaciers.

She also highlighted the importance of Glacial Monitoring & Early Warning Systems, mentioning that under the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Reduction Project Phase-II, integrated monitoring and early warning systems have been established in various northern regions of Pakistan, such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. These systems use advanced hydrometeorological stations to track changes in temperature, glacial mass balance, and meltwater flow patterns to help protect vulnerable communities.

Dr. Kharal further emphasized that with over 60% of Pakistan’s river flows originating from glacier melt, efforts are underway to integrate glacier monitoring into national water management frameworks. Initiatives include improving water storage infrastructure and developing sustainable solutions to manage fluctuations in glacier-fed river systems. She also noted the government’s efforts to foster regional cooperation with countries like China, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan for transboundary glacier research, data-sharing, and joint climate adaptation programs.

“Pakistan is making all-out efforts to engage in global advocacy, particularly under the Paris Agreement and the Loss & Damage Fund, to ensure international support for glacier conservation efforts that are crucial for achieving environmental sustainability, climate resilience, water security, and economic stability,” Dr. Kharal added.

In her welcome remarks, Aisha Humera Moriani, Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, referred to Pakistan as part of the ‘Third Pole’ – a region that holds the world’s highest mountains and the largest amount of frozen water outside the polar regions. She acknowledged that while Pakistan’s Himalayan, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram Mountain ranges have historically helped meet the country’s water needs, warming temperatures are now posing significant challenges to these resources.

“There is a noticeable difference in the flow of water due to rapid glacier melting caused by climate change, which has increased summer water flows in the country’s river network. But the future is very challenging and concerning because, without glaciers, these rivers will eventually dry up completely,” she warned.

Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, emphasized that Pakistan’s glaciers are directly impacted by rising global temperatures. He also noted the socio-economic consequences, including a 4% increase in poverty following the devastating 2022 floods. Dr. Rizk called for urgent international financial support, noting that between 2023 and 2030, Pakistan requires billions of dollars to build its climate resilience and to address the worsening impacts of climate change.