Prime Minister has appointed the former Secretary of State for
International Development, , as the UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and
Resilience for the COP26 Presidency.
With one year to go until COP26 is held in Glasgow, the role of
the Champion will be to drive forward global ambition and action
to support countries on the frontline of climate change to adapt
to its impacts and build resilience.
Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate
change and are less able to prepare for and respond to the
impacts of rising global temperatures, such as extreme weather
events like floods, drought and wildfires and slow onset crises
like rising sea levels and desertification. Without action, the
World Bank predicts climate change could push more than 100
million people in developing countries below the poverty line by
2030.
However, 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 extremely
cost-effective, saving not just money, but lives and livelihoods.
In Bangladesh, for example, with the support of the UK and others
on disaster risk reduction the mortality rate from cyclones has
been cut more than 100-fold – from 500,000 deaths in 1970 to
4,234 in 2007.
In her role as Adaptation and Resilience Champion,
Anne-Marie Trevelyan will engage the governments of the countries
most affected by climate change and drive support from the
international community and private sector.
The UK is stepping up global leadership in tackling climate
change with one year to go until COP26, the UN climate change
conference, and ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit on December
12 2020. The Climate Ambition Summit is hosted by the UK, UN and
France, alongside partners Italy and Chile, to mark the fifth
anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement and will be an
opportunity for world leaders to make ambitious climate
commitments.
Building international momentum to support countries and
communities already impacted by climate change and futureproofing
growth and development is crucial to delivering our shared
climate goals at COP26 and beyond.
Foreign Secretary said:
“Climate change is already affecting people all over
the world and COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of investing
in resilience, now more than ever.
“The Prime Minister’s appointment of Anne-Marie
Trevelyan as Adaptation and Resilience Champion will boost our
ability to deliver our commitment to support those most
vulnerable to climate change.”
COP26 President said:
“I warmly welcome Anne-Marie Trevelyan to the role of
Adaptation and Resilience Champion as we mark the crucial
milestone of a year to go until COP26.
“Her wealth of insight into international development
will be invaluable in putting adaptation and resilience at the
heart of our efforts to create a fairer, greener and more
resilient global economy.”
The UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and
Resilience for the COP26 Presidency Anne-Marie Trevelyan
said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed Adaptation and
Resilience Champion. It is vital the UK’s COP Presidency shows
the world we are listening to the voices of those most impacted
by climate change and that we will lead global action to address
their concerns, from loss and damage, to access to
finance.
“I look forward to working with our partners across the
globe to represent and drive our high ambitions on the adaptation
and resilience agenda.”
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency
and UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation
said:
“The effects of climate change, such as droughts and
floods, are impacting vulnerable communities across the world. As
UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation, we have
been calling on the international community to do more to help
people build resilience and adapt to the changing climate. I am
delighted Anne-Marie has been appointed to raise global ambition
at COP26.”
