Prime Minister is set to announce a new international coalition to
tackle the impacts of climate change.
In a virtual address to the Netherlands-hosted Climate Adaptation
Summit, the first-ever global summit focused solely on adaptation
and resilience, the Prime Minister will launch the Adaptation
Action Coalition.
Developed by the UK in partnership with Egypt, Bangladesh, Malawi,
the Netherlands, Saint Lucia and the United Nations, this new
Coalition will work to turn international political commitments
made through the United Nations Call for Action on Adaptation and
Resilience into on-the-ground support for vulnerable
communities.
Many countries across the world are already experiencing the
impacts of climate change, from forest fires in Australia to the
recent cyclones in Mozambique. 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.
In the UK for example, where we are experiencing more high rainfall
events as a result of climate change, the Government has committed
an additional £5.2 billion to new flood and coastal defence
schemes.
Prime Minister is expected to say at the Adaptation Summit:
“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.
“I’ll be making the need for a resilient recovery a priority of
the UK’s G7 presidency this year. To make sure we get not just
warm words but real change, I am today launching an all-new
Adaptation Action Coalition to set the agenda ahead of COP26.
“Let’s work together to adapt, to become more resilient, and to
save lives and livelihoods all around the world.”
COP26 President-Designate 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."
UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation Emma
Howard Boyd said:
“Last week, flood defences protected tens of thousands of people
in England from record river levels during Storm Christoph.
Investments in flood protections help economic development and
also improve health and wellbeing by enhancing green and blue
spaces.
“The Environment Agency, government and local partners have a lot
of expertise to share with the world, and we also have a lot to
learn. International collaboration, as championed by this
coalition, is vital.”
The 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.
The UN High-Level Climate Champions’ Race To Resilience campaign
and new Dutch-led Adaptation Action Agenda will help inform the
Coalition to host a series of sector-specific events, bringing
together governments, private sector, communities and funders to
deliver action to safeguard people and economies from the impacts
of climate change.
The UK is already taking action both at home and internationally
to improve resilience to climate change, becoming one of the
first countries in the world to fulfil a key commitment of the
Paris Agreement by publishing its Adaptation Communication at the
end of last year.
-- ENDS –
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Adaptation Action Coalition takes forward the 2019 Call for
Action on Adaptation and Resilience from the United Nations
Climate Action Summit, committing countries to act now on
adaptation, integrate climate risk into all decision making, and
increase the availability of adaptation financing. It has now
been signed by over 120 countries, the European Union, and 86
organisations, including a number of UN agencies.
The Climate Adaptation Summit brings together institutions,
government leaders, mayors, private sector, civil society and
youth movements, to drive forward the critical changes needed for
societies to manage the effects of our climate emergency. It will
deliver enhanced ambition, accelerated actions and tangible
solutions to the challenges of a world that is heating up,
demonstrating how a climate-resilient future can and must be
achieved.
UK Prime Minister appointed as the UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and
Resilience for the COP26 Presidency in November 2020 to drive
forward global ambition and action to support countries on the
frontline of climate change to adapt to its impacts and build
resilience. In her role, she regularly engages with the
governments of the countries most affected by climate change and
works to drive support from the international community and
private sector.
