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Global Network News
Time Running Out to Defuse Climate “Time Bomb” - The Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report is the final installment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report and condenses nearly a decade of climate science into a 37-page document. It is, in the words of the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, “a how-to guide to defuse the climate time-bomb; a survival guide for humanity.” While it painted a dire picture of inaction, the report also points to the key solutions needed to adapt.
GAN Vacancy: Scoping Consultant – GAN is hiring! We are looking for a Scoping Consultant to assess the opportunities and gaps for GAN to strengthen its adaptation policy influencing capability in Europe, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean. The position is home-based and for 5 months, and the successful candidate will report directly to the Head of GAN. For more information and to apply, click here. The deadline for applications is 13 April.
5th Workshop on the Global Goal on Adaptation - The 5th Workshop on the Global Goal on Adaptation took place from 22-24 March, hosted by the Government of Maldives. The workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors and countries to discuss and share knowledge on transformational adaptation, indigenous peoples’ knowledge, and innovative strategies to change mindsets towards adaptation. You can access the event recordings here.
Adaptation Fund Board Greenlights $74 Million in New Projects – The Adaptation Fund Board has approved the implementation plan for a new 5-year strategy. The Fund continues to receive record demand for its work with an active project pipeline upwards of US$ 380 million. The board also agreed to invite additional implementing partners to expand the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA). Read the full press release.
UN Resolution Billed As A Turning Point in Climate Justice – A resolution adopted in late March at the United Nations General Assembly in New York is being hailed as a victory for climate justice. The resolution means that the UN General Assembly will seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice on countries’ obligations to address climate change. The resolution was spearheaded by the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, a country bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.
Speech: Investing in Planetary Resilience – In late February, UNEP's Executive Director Inger Andersen gave a speech at the World Food Programme's Executive Board Meeting. Speaking about the collaboration between UNEP and WFP, Andersen warned: “This work is crucial. Because there can be no peace, no stability, and no end to hunger and poverty without healthy nature and a healthy climate.” Read the full speech here.
Mountains INNOVATE! - Water shortages and energy poverty are among the common challenges facing mountain communities around the world. At the same time, people in mountains have proven to be adaptive, resilient and innovative. UNEP is now inviting applications for the First Mountain Innovation Fair from 23- 25 October 2023 in Italy. Apply with your innovative approaches to sustainable development and adaptation in mountains before the 8th April.
Adequacy and Effectiveness of Adaptation in the Global Stocktake - The Independent Global Stocktake (iGST) is a consortium of civil society actors working to support the Global Stocktake (GST), a formal process established under the Paris Agreement to periodically take stock of collective progress toward its goals. This publication, a product of the iGST's Adaptation Working Group, addresses the following question: how can the concepts of adequacy and effectiveness of adaptation be operationalized in assessments of global progress on adaptation?
17th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA17) - Register now for the CBA17, which offers 4 days of participatory and interactive discussions on key adaptation themes, peer-to-peer ‘skill-shares’, a marketplace of solutions and learning, short films, and the ‘Dragons’ Den’ where participants will pitch their best ideas to a panel of experienced donors and investors. Visit the conference's official website here.
Friends of EbA Annual Newsletter 2022-2023 – The Friends of EbA (FEBA) Network's annual newsletter provides a key insight into what is happening around the world on the topic of ecosystem-based adaptation. The network prioritizes collaboration and knowledge sharing, "with the belief that by working together we can accelerate global efforts on nature and adaptation." IUCN serves as the FEBA Secretariat. Visit the website to learn more.
Global Project on Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation – The GIZ-implemented and IKI-funded Global Project on Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation came to a close in February. Functioning as a knowledge hub, the project facilitated various spaces for peer-to-peer exchange and learning, such as the international EbA Community of Practice Workshops, the EbA Knowledge Days, and many webinars, which are now available online on adaptationcommunity.net and the project's YouTube channel.
News From The Regions
Africa
Sudan’s Water Crisis and the Women Fighting Back – A new story from UNEP explores how the impacts of climate change are devastating the White Nile State of Sudan, leading to a growing water crisis. A project funded by the Global Environment Facility began working in the region to identify solutions to help communities adapt, such as through drought-resilient farming and rainwater harvesting. The project has now empowered thousands of women by helping them choose from a range of climate adaptation techniques.
Students Help Communities Tackle Floods In South Africa – In Durban, South Africa, communities living in informal settlements are highly vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. In April 2022, “over 200 dwellings were washed away” in one go after a period of intense rainfall. But thanks to early warnings provided by a student-led project from the EPIC Network, local residents were given advanced notice. “Had residents been sheltering in these dwellings during the night, hundreds more lives would have been lost.” Read the full story here.
Factsheet: Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Benin 2019-2024 – In Benin, agriculture currently supports about 70% of livelihoods, but the strong dependency on this sector is heavily impacted by climate change and ecosystem degradation. A major $9 million project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, is aiming to build the climate resilience of local communities in 7 municipalities by using climate-resilient agricultural techniques and EbA. The project is expected to benefit a total of 1.1 million people.
EBAFOSA’s Climate Action Digest – The Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly's (EBAFOSA) latest Climate Action Digest focuses on integrating climate solutions into food systems in Botswana to improve living standards and inform coherent pro-SDG policy implementation. EBAFOSA constitutes the Global Adaptation Network's regional network for the Africa region, and you can learn more about the initiative on their website here.
News from the Regions
Asia Pacific
UNEP Executive Director Urges Countries to Boost Climate Finance in Wake of Pakistan Floods – Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, recently visited the village of Khadim Hussein in the Khairpur District of Pakistan following the devastating floods that affected the country in the summer of 2022. In a video interview, Andersen says the time for climate finance, geared towards the poorest populations, who are most severely affected by the negative effects of climate change, has never been more urgent.
Cambodia Sets Example of Climate Action in the Cooling Sector – In March, the government of Cambodia launched its first national strategic plan on cooling – one of the largest contributing sectors to global warming – to lead the country to a greener, cleaner and low-carbon future. Heat stress in Cambodia leads to an annual GDP loss of at least US$1.12 billion. The National Cooling Action Plan was develop under the framework of the Cool Coalition – a global effort led by UNEP to drive action on sustainable cooling.
Webinar: Ambitions and Realities of the Global Goal on Adaptation - The Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) hosted a webinar focusing on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), which discussed the progress made halfway through the Glasgow-Sharm-El-Sheikh Work Programme on the GGA. Speakers from leading regional and international organisations and governments shared key perspectives and aspirations. The webinar recording is available here. Read the latest APAN Newsletter here.
Framework Document for the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) – A press release published on the 23 March by AP-PLAT announced the development of a framework document for the platform, which includes a Framework For Action 2023-2025 and a strategy for a Capacity Development Program 2023-2025. AP-PLAT is an online information platform that bridges science and stakeholders to support climate change adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region.
News from the Regions
Latin America & the Caribbean
NAP Expo 2023 – The NAP Expo took place in March in Santiago, Chile, with the theme of Scaling Up Adaptation. Attendees explored how to increase the scope and depth of adaptation action through the NAP process, including how to increase the volume of adaptation projects being supported by climate funds. UNEP co-organized sessions on a number of topics such as monitoring and evaluation (M&E), climate-resilient agriculture, and synergies between adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Shrinking Glaciers Upend Lives Across South America – The tropical glaciers of the Andes, which feed many rivers in the Amazon Basin, are some of the fastest retreating ice packs in the world. Their loss is not only upending lives in mountain communities, but also sparking water shortages and hampering hydro-electric power generation. Through a new project funded by the Global Environment Facility, UNEP is helping 8 countries in the region adjust to a new climate normal.
Video: How Central America is Fighting Drought with Nature - We are experiencing a dangerous decline in nature: one million species are threatened with extinction, soils are turning infertile and water sources are drying up. But there are glimmers of hope: the Central American Dry Corridor has long been suffering from droughts and floods that drive food insecurity and migration in the millions. Farmers are now rising up to the challenge.
Social Organization in the Face of Climate Change in Costa Rica – In an article published by the NAP Global Network, Iván Delgado-Pitti, Director of Climate Change of Costa Rica, argues how realistic climate adaptation solutions can be found in the intersection between a State's vision and the day-to-day lives of those communities on the frontlines. The article highlights some of the results and lessons learned from the UNEP’s project Plan A: Climate-Resilient Territories.
Gender Perspectives On Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean (Spanish) – Climate change affects everyone, but women and men experience differentiated impacts that can aggravate existing gender inequalities. In commemoration of International Women’s Day in March, UNEP presented a series of webinars to discuss the intersection of gender and the environment in the region, looking at mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and environmental policy.
Upcoming Events
May 16-17
2023 Local Solutions: Climate Migrations
May 22-25
17th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change
June 5
World Environment Day
June 12-14
2023 EPIC-Network Conference
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