UNEP has just launched its annual Adaptation Gap Report, which this year is called “The Gathering Storm”. ACT Alliance is keen to see this report, as adaptation is a top priority and many of our members are working hard to promote adaptation solutions in vulnerable communities around the world. These are our comments to the report.

“We must remember that global warming continues to be a reality, and when the temperature continues to increase, so too will the need for adaptation. Adaptation measures must therefore be prepared for the future. A sea wall which is too low will not help,” said Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, General Secretary of the ACT Alliance. 

“Adaptation is needed where people live and work, on the local level. We must look for nature based solutions, and ensure that the most vulnerable are reached,” Bueno de Faria continued. “Without strong support for adaptation, through funding and also through non-market solutions, including nature-based solutions, the impacts of climate change will be even worse for the most vulnerable people in the world, particularly for women and girls.”

Birgitte Qvist-Sørensen, Moderator of the ACT Alliance, said “We must remember that adaptation is a necessary measure for all of us. Climate change is real, and we must learn to live with its effects. The UNEP report shows that the need for adaptation goes far beyond the political agreements about climate finance. Right now developed countries deliver about 25 billion USD for adaptation. UNEP expects that there will be a need for 140 to 300 billion USD per year by 2030 to help developing countries to adapt. The gap is huge, particularly considering how difficult it has been for developed countries to reach the current 25 billion.”

“Even if we manage to hold global temperature rise to 1.5C, a target that feels less possible with every year of weak action on climate change, the need for adaptation will increase significantly in the coming years. as containing global warming even at that temperature will affect ecosystems, human health, and well-being. The world must plan for finance, and implement climate change adaption measures that respond to the needs of the most vulnerable people,” de Faria said.

Qvist-Sørensen concluded, “I hope all parties read this report. It is crucial that we all consider the need for adaptation. We call on developed countries to drastically scale up their support to adaptation. We must fill the gap!”

For questions, please contact: 
Mattias Söderberg, co-chair of the ACT Alliance climate change group. 
Mail: msd@dca.dk Phone: +45-29 70 06 09.