Guterres: Adaptation to climate change saves lives, and not funding it is a defect in global solidarity

The report released Wednesday by the United Nations Environment Program provides an assessment of global progress made in planning, financing and implementing adaptation. It explores options available to strengthen and advance national and global adaptation efforts, and addresses opportunities to bridge the financing gap and accelerate climate action, with the need to intensify public and private financing.

Commenting on the report’s findings, the Secretary-General said in a message that adaptation financing is not keeping pace with accelerating climate impacts, making the world’s most vulnerable groups vulnerable to being affected by “rising sea levels, deadly storms, and scorching heat.”

The report concluded that the financing developing countries need to be able to adapt “It is already more than twelve times the funding you receive today.”

In this context, Mr. Guterres said: “This is not just a funding gap, it is a flaw in global solidarity. It is a flaw measured in flooded homes, damaged crops, stalled development and lives lost.”

He stressed that the thirtieth United Nations climate conference (cup 30) scheduled in Belém, Brazil next month, must present a global plan of action to ensure that developing countries have the resources and capabilities needed to protect their people, enhance food and water security, and build resilience in all sectors of development.

He stressed that this includes developed countries fulfilling their pledge to double adaptation financing, and all financial actors moving forward with the implementation of the Baku (the venue of the twenty-ninth climate conference) road map to Belem – that is, mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, “While allocating a fair and stable share to adaptation, and ensuring that new financing does not increase debt burdens.”

Noting the role of the private sector, the Secretary-General said that profits from fossil fuels (such as oil and coal) should help “In financing recovery from the damage you caused.”

He added that multilateral development banks must mobilize much more affordable private financing “and allocate half of the financing they allocate to climate adaptation.” He stressed the need for access to public financing to become faster and simpler, “so that it reaches communities on the front lines of climate vulnerability when and where it is needed most.”

The Secretary-General stressed the need to activate early warning systems for all by 2027. “So that we protect every person on Earth from climate dangers before they happen.”

He concluded his letter by saying: “Adaptation is not a cost, it is a lifeline. Closing the gap in adaptation financing is how we protect lives, achieve climate justice, and build a safer, more sustainable world. Let us not waste another moment.”