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The UAE Presidency’s Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace is a welcome initiative. An important initiative. And one everyone can get behind.
The impacts of climate change raged across the world this year as temperature records fell, one after another. The climate impacts have come at average global temperatures still under 1.5°C. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report tells us the world is heading for 2.5-2.9°C. At those temperatures, many nations, communities and people will be in deep and lasting trouble. Many countries most vulnerable to climate change are politically and economically fragile. In these countries, climate impacts more easily become climate disasters. Lead to local conflicts over resources and inflame wider tensions. Force populations to migrate internally and across borders.
So, this COP must accelerate low-carbon development transformations that deliver massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. Ramp up adaptation funding – because the adaptation financing gap is still around US$194-366 billion per year. And build on the welcome commitments made to the operationalized Loss and Damage fund. All of this will contribute to resilience and peace.
We at UNEP are committed to supporting the declaration’s goal for bolder collective action to build climate resilience in highly vulnerable countries. Over many decades, UNEP has delivered expertise to countries hit by environmental damage and conflicts. Our ecosystem-based adaptation projects have helped communities to manage scarce natural resources. We have delivered dozens of post-conflict and post-disaster environmental impact assessments, including with the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit. We have learned that adaptation can increase trust between communities and local authorities and bring opportunities for women to lead in natural resource governance and peacebuilding.
In 2022, we committed to focusing more on the needs of disaster- and conflict-affected States, working with governments and UN partners. Examples include our partnership with the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa to support IGAD to establish a regional Climate Security Coordination Mechanism. Delivering climate-risk assessments in conflict-affected regions in the Middle East. Supporting adaptation planners in conflict-affected states and regions to design adaptation solutions. All of this in close collaboration with UN Resident Coordinators and UN missions.
As the impacts of climate change rise, UNEP will continue to rise to the challenge.
