Two Members of OACPS at the forefront of the New Adaptation Coalition launched to address impacts of Climate Changes
Malawi and St. Lucia, along with the UK, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Egypt and the United Nations, are part of the Adaptation Action Coalition, which was launched under the leadership of the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson during the Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) held virtually, on 25 and 26 January 2021.
This new Coalition aims to translate international political commitments made through the United Nations 2019 Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience, into on-the-ground support for vulnerable communities and setting up the agenda for COP26.
It is a fact that many countries across the world, in particular the most vulnerable ones, which include Members of the OACPS, are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Without action, many more will experience significant disruption and extreme weather, devastating communities and livelihoods.
With support, countries and communities can adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Measures like early warning systems for storms, investing in flood drainage and drought resistant crops are cost-effective, saving not just money, but lives and livelihoods.
According to Prime Minister Johnson, “it is undeniable that climate change is already upon us and is already devastating lives and economies. We must adapt to our changing climate, and we must do so now”.
“Prevention is not only better than cure, it is cheaper too. If we fail to act by 2021 then by 2030, the annual adaptation of developing countries alone would have reached as high as 300 Billion dollars, so I fully support Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres’s call to increase the amount of climate finance dedicated to adaptation.”
“I’ll be making the need for a more resilient recovery, a priority of the UK’s G7 presidency this year. Let’s work together to adapt, to become more resilient, and to save lives and livelihoods all around the world”
COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said:
“We know that the most vulnerable are at the greatest risk from climate change, and that they have done the least to cause it. Action to address this and build resilience is needed now, before more people lose lives or livelihoods.
I am calling on all countries to come forward with ambitious adaptation plans. This important new coalition will crucially focus minds around the world to accelerate adaptation delivery in the areas most in need”.
The Adaptation Action Coalition will draw on the expertise of scientists, businesses, civil society and more, and will act as a forum for developed and developing countries to share knowledge and best practice on local, regional and global solutions to deal with climate change.