Blog: Waiting for the rains 

By Collins Shava

As you travel across Zimbabwe, particularly in communal areas, you will be greeted by maize fields full of wilting crops, dying due to “thirst.” The rains have been erratic and unpredictable this season. It does not look good for farmers that depend on rain for irrigation. Our country is headed for a long drought. 

Dr Anxious Masuka, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development said on February 21 that if the country did not receive rain in the following two weeks, Zimbabwe would need to find alternative ways to get maize supplies. This would most likely mean importing grain from countries that have an excess. The cost of living would increase, increasing the vulnerability of a large part of the population. Drought will be a disaster for Zimbabwe, as its people are facing other economic challenges. 

Drought and climate change 

For me, climate change is the biggest threat to the well-being and livelihoods of people in African nations such as Zimbabwe. Climate uncertainty is increasing African countries’ vulnerability to more occurrences of drought and floods. The World Bank predicts the annual likelihood of Zimbabwe enduring severe drought will increase by 21 percent from 2040 and 2059 and by 47 percent from 2080 to 2099, compared to the baseline period of 1986 to 2005. Due to climate change, Zimbabwe will have more occurrences of drought than ever before. 

Small holder farmers who largely depend on rainfed agriculture and do not have access to irrigation infrastructure will be most affected. Most grow their crops in fields of between one and ten hectares, primarily using traditional farming practices. 

One solution: Pfumvudza plots 

Over the past few years, the Government of Zimbabwe has introduced the “Pfumvudza/Intwasa” farming technique, known to communities as “dhiga udye.” With this technique, small holder farmers plant a wider variety of crops in mulched basins. In 2023 3.4 million pfumvudza plots were prepared for the current 2024 farming season. This practice has helped the country maintain a constant supply of grain, so far. 

With projections of reduced annual rainfall in 2040, Zimbabwe will need to develop more initiatives to complement the Pfumvudza programme. This will help small holder farmers and communities adapt to climate change. 

Do communities and farmers know what’s coming? 

A growing number of people in Zimbabwe now understand the impacts of climate change. Others believe the current climate shocks, drought and floods are a spiritual issue, because the gods/God is angry with the people. As a religious person I understand this perspective and appreciate these beliefs. But given the current phenomenon, it is wise to consider that while we may pray for rain, our requests may not be granted. What we can pray for is to ensure that the gods/God provides wisdom to our scientists and leaders to develop and implement methods to navigate climate change. 

There is a need to listen to science and start working on climate adaptation initiatives to cushion our communities to climate change. National and local governments and development partners need to play a leading role in implementing climate adaptation initiatives to save our communities.  

We now need to focus more on efficient water harvesting techniques, improved climate-smart varieties of seed, and new farming practices that respond to how the climate is changing. Most importantly there is a need to constantly raise community awareness of the effects of climate change.  

Collins Shava is a climate change specialist who is co-chair of the ACT Alliance Climate Justice Campaigns and Communications group. He has worked with the All Africa Conference of Churches and was an LWF  youth delegate at previous COPs. He now works with an African environmental agency.

For more on adaptation in Zimbabwe, see the ACT video Climate Adaptation in Zimbabwe.

 

 

 

Adaptation matters (more) after COP28 

By Niko Humalisto

PHOTO: Albin Hillert/LWF. The keys to adaptation are part of the COP28 Climate March.

It was expected that COP28 in Dubai would revolve around controversies on loss and damage; instead, it is likely to be remembered as a threshold when the world decided to transition away from fossil fuels. Significant progress was also made on how humankind can adapt to the unfolding climate crisis. 

Before Dubai, climate negotiations had failed to define adaptation goals. Having no agreed goal had led to the fragmentation of adaptation activities and funding projects in the Global South. Too many claimed to target adaptation needs which, in reality, had no relevance at all.  

Global Goal on Adaptation 

As a result, there was significant pressure to define a shared Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). The work program to define it, launched at Glasgow’s COP26, had reached its end. After parties in the technical negotiations had sabotaged any progress in defining the goal, the political dialogues at COP28 were able to deliver decisions.  

The most significant contributions of the GGA are its eight thematic target areas, which range from advancing food security on our warming planet to protecting cultural heritage. Parties also agreed to a cycle for evaluating needs to tailor action and support. This consists of dimensional targets on planning, implementation and monitoring, most to be achieved by 2030.  

The framework that will guide action has several principles that are important for ACT Alliance: targeting vulnerable populations such as women and people with disabilities; respecting human rights; and supporting local leadership. It also emphasises nature-based solutions to build resilience, linking climate and biodiversity.  

Far from final 

The governance framework is far from final. The most obvious omission is the exclusion of defined adaptation indicators. However, a work program has been established to develop science-based metrics. Notably, although action and support are discussed in the framework, no new additional financial commitments were made. On a positive note, a ministerial dialogue was established to develop plans to double adaptation funding. This is needed due to the declining share of adaptation in climate finance – despite a commitment to increase it.   

The decisions made at COP28 will need to be translated into national and sub-national policies guiding adaptation action. ACT Alliance members have diverse expertise in building adaptive capacities, decreasing vulnerability and increasing resilience. This is a golden opportunity for members to advocate for establishing or renewing existing national policies to reflect human rights and equity-oriented outcomes in the GGA – and to follow the progress of turning words into action.  

Niko Humalisto is a member of the ACT Alliance Climate Justice Advocacy group. He works as a leading advocacy specialist in Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission and holds a title of an adjunct professor in the University of Eastern Finland. Apart from his work in advancing climate finances and circular economies, he volunteers in the bicycle workshop of Turku, Finland.  

Bravery, resilience and solidarity: Ukraine 2 years after the invasion

 

For the Ukrainian people displaced or still living in the country, ACT Alliance has truly been hope in action. Tirelessly responding to the ever-changing needs of those affected by what has been the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, for the past two years our members have been a model of holistic and coordinated approach. Our humanitarian aid workers have been operating in a very dangerous and volatile setting, putting their lives at risk every single day.  Regrettably, two HEKS staff recently  lost their lives during a drone attack, sending shock waves across the whole community.Incredible bravery, resilience, and solidarity has marked the Ukraine response all along, following the illegal full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.Since the beginning of the conflict our response has focused on providing lifesaving support to the communities who faced this tragedy, in 2023, ACT Alliance launched a revised Ukraine appeal (UKR221), with Christian Aid joining as requesting member.Our Total ACT reponse for Ukraine is constantly changing to meet the need for psychological, spiritual and practical support, strengthening the Survivor and Community Led Response approach – which relies on the partnership with communities and local organisations to assess the situation on the ground and be in the driving seat of the response. We have prepared a gallery on our Media bank where you can find images, testimonies and interviews that picture the past two years of our work.   Thank you for your unwavering support which is vital to our efforts to help all those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.Your help matters.UKR 221 appeal informationShould you need assistance please contact:klara.jiricna@actalliance.org, Communications Officerdragana.levicanin@actalliance.org, Humanitarian Officer Europe

Acknowledge local resilience in global climate forums

PHOTO: Lorenzo Fellycyana/YEU. The youth group Karang Taruna Prima Gadung initiated a tree-planting project called Javanese Bamboo Sewing Earth, drawing inspiration from traditional tree-planting practices. This innovative approach will not only fortify the soil and mitigate landslides, but also bolster the local economy by cultivating economically valuable and sustainable horticultural plants.

By Jessica Novia

YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) supports over 50 women’s and community groups  in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where we help develop community insight and responses to the profound impact of a changing climate.

In these vulnerable regions, rapid-onset disasters include floods, landslides, and strong winds that cause significant damage. Repairs to a family’s home can cost the same as or more than the income from their harvest. Such devastation also affects their mental health. A survey of 34 women’s communities in the Gunungkidul region of Yogyakarta revealed that some experienced PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even suicide as a result of loss and damage. Water scarcity is also a significant threat, made worse by the unremediated environmental impacts of previous development projects. 

Community resilience clear

COP28, the annual global climate conference, has left us reflecting on the urgency of addressing climate change impacts felt by grassroots communities. There is also a need to acknowledge their many resilience efforts. While discussions and commitments at the global level are crucial, we must not lose sight of local efforts. Robust global regulations could ensure recognition of community-based resilience and provide sustained, accessible funding for them. 

In Gunungkidul, the resilience of local communities is clear. In one community, a group of young people initiated a tree planting project called Javanese Bamboo Sewing Earth, drawing inspiration from traditional tree-planting practices. The trees will strengthen and bind the soil, mitigating against landslides. This innovative approach will fortify the soil and bolster the local economy by cultivating economically valuable and sustainable horticultural plants. The young people further preserve their culture by using native trees that are disappearing from the area, and use this Indigenous knowledge to defend against climate threats.

Elsewhere in the region, farmer groups have developed mist irrigation which conserves water and offers easier access to farmers with mobility challenges. Despite this, their crops may fail due to El Niño, which is expected to cause the first drought in the area.  Another example of innovative resilience comes from women’s groups such as the Melati Women Farmers’ Group. Facing ongoing drought, these groups secure their families’ livelihoods by managing water, animal feed, and their rice fields. They also use waste to produce organic fertilizer and manage plastic waste. These activities have allowed them to generate additional income during the dry season and to mitigate the risk of floods in the rainy season.

Women’s groups’ unique insights

Women’s groups often have unique insights into potential disasters, understanding the local context and the specific challenges they face. By including the voices of their representatives, COP meetings could ensure that policies and decisions address communities’ real concerns. Gender justice must be at the forefront, acknowledging how women are often disproportionately affected by climate change. Their perspectives offer valuable insights into building resilient communities and sustainable solutions. Amplifying local voices, particularly those of women, is not just a matter of justice but a practical necessity for creating effective and inclusive climate policies.

Developing inclusive and effective approaches

Community-driven initiatives need direct and accessible funding. Decisions made at global COPs should prioritise the voices of grassroots communities as they grapple with the urgent impacts of the climate crisis. Regulations governing the use of loss and damage funds should ensure easy access for community-based initiatives. Support for capacity strengthening and accountable monitoring should be part of effective implementation. 

A more inclusive and effective approach would include the following steps:

  • communicate climate disaster contexts in simplified, local languages for community understanding;
  • develop partnerships with local organizations that collaborate with communities to leverage insights for effective climate resilience strategies;
  • formalise grassroots women’s leadership in public decision-making structures;
  • channel financial investments to grassroots organisations to build their knowledge, skills, and leadership capacities;
  • prioritise partnerships with grassroots organizations to ensure their access to funding and decisions that are aligned with community priorities. 

A resilient and just future

Climate conference decisions must amplify the voices and experiences of communities on the frontline directly affected by climate-induced disasters. Global leaders should ensure that funds allocated for loss and damage, along with efforts toward gender justice, directly benefit society. COP meetings should transition from theoretical discussions to pragmatic solutions grounded in the realities of the most vulnerable communities.

Local communities, especially women, play a crucial role in identifying and dealing with potential disasters caused by climate change.  With a community-centred lens, we can pave the way for a more resilient and just future.

 

Jessica Novia attended COP28 as an ACT delegate in December 2023. Her work with ACT member YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) includes strengthening the capacities of at-risk groups, people with disabilities, women and older people with community-led disaster preparedness and humanitarian response. She is also a young representative of YEU’s climate focal point, striving to increase accessibility, accountability, and inclusion in her work. 

Photo: The youth group Karang Taruna Prima Gadung initiated a tree-planting project called Javanese Bamboo Sewing Earth, drawing inspiration from traditional tree-planting practices. This innovative approach will not only fortify the soil and mitigate landslides, but also bolster the local economy by cultivating economically valuable and sustainable horticultural plants.
PHOTO: Lorenzo Fellycyana/YEU

Statement: ACT Alliance calls for a reversal of the decision to halt funding to UNRWA

 

The decision by several key donor countries to halt funding to UNRWA, based on accusations made by the Israeli government of UNRWA staff involvement in a Hamas attack, is deeply concerning. The allegations over the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the 7 October attacks are very serious and must be thoroughly investigated. Anyone involved in acts of terror must be held accountable, it is however essential to adhere to evidence-based decision-making during this unprecedented humanitarian crisis and a volatile political situation. We encourage all key stakeholders to refrain from hasty decisions that impact millions of suffering civilians and to make a thorough and impartial assessment of these allegations before taking any drastic measure.

UNRWA plays a critical role in providing essential humanitarian support to Palestinian people, including food, medicine and shelter. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, rightly points out that the decision to suspend funding will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, further deteriorating the socio-economic conditions in the West Bank and neighboring countries.

Furthermore, the implications of this decision extend beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, significantly impacting the broader political context, jeopardizing the prospects for lasting peace in the region.

Confronted with these formidable challenges, it is imperative for the international community to ensure the non-politicization of humanitarian aid. We challenge the decision of funding donors to penalize the humanitarian needs of millions of women, men and children to confront the alleged internal failures of a single institution.

ACT Alliance together with the ACT Palestine Forum, along with numerous faith-based and civil society organizations in Palestine and Israel, calls on all key donors who have cut funding to the UNRWA to promptly reconsider this decision.

These actions not only exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis but also cultivate a pervasive sense of injustice, hopelessness and suspicion towards humanitarian aid and humanitarian principles among the Palestinian population.

As part of the ACT Alliance, we join the multiple calls to governments to resume funding the UNRWA. It is essential to separate humanitarian aid from political considerations and work towards a resolution that not only addresses the needs of the affected population but also avoids exacerbating the already catastrophic situation.

By upholding the principles of impartiality and prioritizing the well-being of civilians, we can contribute to a more just response to the complex challenges faced by the Palestinian people.

ACT statement on the attack on HEKS colleagues in Ukraine

ACT Alliance and the ACT Ukraine Forum were shocked and saddened to learn today of the deaths of two aid workers from our member HEKS/EPER, and the injury of four other HEKS/EPER employees yesterday in the southeast of Ukraine.

The aid workers were conducting a field assessment when they were attacked at about 2:30pm.

ACT Alliance offers its condolences and prayers to the friends and families of the colleagues killed, and to all the staff of HEKS, as well as all ACT members working in Ukraine in light of this devastating news.

HEKS is working to ensure the safe evacuation of the affected staff, and are providing support to all the staff involved, and their families.

ACT Alliance joins with HEKS in strongly condemning this unjustifiable attack, which is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.  Humanitarian workers and civilian populations must never be targets in conflict.

Read more on the HEKS website.

Slow-onset loss and damage a reality

Tsitsi Musingazori (left) and Anjeline Sumu received food assistance in Mwenezi, Zimbabwe. They both lost their yields due to drought. PHOTO: Ruusa Gwaaza/FELM

By Ruusa Gawaza, Felm

In December, as I travelled through southern Zimbabwe with our local partner, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the disastrous impact of climate change was clear. Usually, the fields would be full of maize, sorghum, and millet as high as your knee. Instead, the fields were empty and dry, and the temperature was much higher than usual.  

In the southern districts of Mwenezi and Gwanda, farmers had been left with nothing for the second year in a row. This was due to a lack of rainfall, made worse by the effects of El Niño. The annual Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment report estimates that more than a quarter of the population, about 2,700,000 people, will face food insecurity in the coming months. More than 95 percent of farmers across the country had not yet started ploughing their fields due to lack of rainfall, even though the rainy season was already halfway over.  

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches supports communities with both short-term food assistance and long-term climate resilience work. During the week, we saw food being distributed to the most vulnerable communities in the area. The assistance package included 50 kg of maize flour, 40 kg of beans, and 4 litres of cooking oil, enough for a household of five for one month.  

Listening to community members, I heard one desperate story after another. Mr. Vila, the Chair of the Ward 14 Food Distribution Committee in Mwenezi, told me that the situation is catastrophic. Some days, the temperatures have been 10 degrees higher than in an average year. The crops he planted in October, after the first rains, had already withered and his cattle had started to die. When I asked Mr. Vila what the solution might be, he said quietly: “It would be best just to leave.”  

We heard more stories of drought, hunger, the inability to produce food, and loss of livelihoods. Farmers had prepared their fields and fixed natural dams to contain water for livestock and irrigation, but the rain never arrived. The situation was dire and getting worse by the week. Food assistance was all that was keeping them alive.  

Seeing empty fields and listening to community members, it was obvious that slow-onset losses and damages are already a reality. It might never again be possible to practice farming in the same way because drought recurs each year. When a farmer loses the ability to grow crops on land that has produced food for generations, non-economic loss becomes very real. The communities face the loss of culture and Indigenous knowledge at the same time as they lose their livelihoods.  

While we continued our discussions with Zimbabwe communities, world leaders at COP28 in Dubai discussed the Global Goal on Adaptation and made pledges to the Loss and Damage fund. The decisions made in these annual climate conferences are a matter of survival for people in rural communities like the ones I visited in Zimbabwe.  

If the goals of the Paris Agreement for mitigation and adaptation are not met, and sufficient funds for adaptation, loss and damage are not available, millions of people like Mr. Vila and his family will have no option but to leave their homes forever. Lives, livelihoods and culture will be lost. 

Ruusa Gawaza works for the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) as a Global Climate Resilience Advisor and lives in Harare, Zimbabwe. She is a member of the Act Alliance Climate Justice Reference Group and co-chairs the Global Climate Program Community of Practice.

 

 

 

ACT member Diakonia Sweden shares legal brief on breaches of IHL in hostilities in Israel and Gaza

On December 5, the Diakonia IHL Centre has launched a legal brief on the 2023 hostilities in Israel and Gaza. The brief assesses violations of international humanitarian law committed, respectively, by Hamas and other armed groups from Gaza and by the Israeli military during the time period from 7 October to 8 November 2023. The analysis in this brief is not exhaustive but rather reflects emblematic issues of concern that are indicative of wider patterns of conduct.

See below a short summary of the main findings:

 Today, we have released our detailed international humanitarian law (IHL) report on the conduct of armed groups from Gaza led by Hamas (Hamas forces) and Israel, covering the time period from 7 October to 8 November 2023.  In short, we have identified that both armed groups from Gaza (Hamas and others) and Israel have violated IHL. The conclusions of our report draw upon a factual account of events derived from a range of publicly available sources of information, which we have endeavoured to verify primarily by cross-referencing from a large and diverse set of credible sources with a high degree of fact-checking and verification.

 Our main findings are as follows:

  • Our report concludes that there is a large and compelling body of evidence that provides strong indications that armed groups from Gaza (Hamas and others) committed serious and widespread violations of IHL, and that their members perpetrated acts constituting war crimes.
  • Strong grounds to conclude that Israel’s cutting off of indispensable resources (as part of its declared ‘complete siege’ of Gaza) amounts to collective punishment, and serious concerns about intentionally starving the civilian population as a method of warfare.
  • Israel has also failed to comply with its obligation to allow for and facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian relief to all civilians in need.
  • There are serious concerns that the general approach of the Israeli government and military in the military operations conducted in Gaza is one of deliberate disregard for the restraints that IHL imposes on the conduct of hostilities, in breach of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and the duty to take precautions in attack.
  • We are gravely concerned about the harm inflicted upon hospitals, medical facilities, and medical personnel. We intend to address this further in a separate document.

Access the full brief here.

ACT Alliance at Inter-religious Convention 2023

Reflecting on the faith methodologies for gender justice, ACT forum representatives from Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe shared their experiences working as faith-based organizations.

In Ethiopia, the forum ‘s methodology looked at theological reflections, through two major lenses of the Ethiopian Orthodox as well as Evangelical churches, who are also part of the ACT forum. Through the theological reflections on gender justice, they developed resources for integrating gender into the curriculum, especially in parishes as well as in theological colleges. Read more here.

“One of the added value working with faith actors in theological reflections for gender justice is how we can get to communities and influence, through the church structures,” says Million Shiferaw, NCA and ACT Ethiopia forum member.

In Uganda, addressing transformative masculinities is one of the key areas that the forum engages in gender justice work, countering cultural norms through media campaigns and working with male faith leaders as champions for gender justice.

“There is a need to appreciate transformative masculinities as one of the key pillars in ensuring human rights protected at the community level and affirming human dignity and justice for all” Vincent Mayega, RACOBAO, representing ACT Uganda forum.

In the Zimbabwe forum, one of the approaches, working with the ACT Zimbabwe forum’s gender community of practice, was on integrating gender in peacebuilding work. During the 2023 general elections in Zimbabwe, the forum members monitored gender-based violence (GBV) and provided referral pathways. In addition, the forum has been active in the 16 days of activism campaigns, working with several other actors.

“Working with faith actors in Zimbabwe has enabled us to reach out to communities and as Ecumenical Church Leadership Forum (ECLF), use the Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) which influences the change of attitudes, behavior and norms that are at the very core of unequal power relations and gender inequality. The approach has been key to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence,” says Pamhidzai Thaka from ACT Zimbabwe forum and ECLF

In advancing reproductive justice, Dr. Paul Mmbando brought the perspective on how the voices of faith leaders are unique in bringing a transformative impact on reproductive justice. Church hospitals, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), provide access to information and reproductive justice services. Dr. Paul ,Who is also a medical practitioner noted the added value of working with faith actors in Tanzania, as one of the effective advocacy avenues in reaching communities, as well as in influencing policymaking.

“In our work, we work a lot through inter-faith approach and we have made great strides, when faith leaders speak, they bear with them a unique language,” says Dr.Paul

ACT Alliance’s global gender justice program is of great essence in bringing together members through conversatorio, learning together as well as working as ACT Alliance at local context on gender justuce work.

“One of the major work for the global gender justice program has been to address gender inequalities that are considered taboo or difficult by engaging members and other stakeholders in dialogues to listen to one another and working at local context.” says Elaine, ACT’s Global Gender justice programme manager.

Co-hosted by ACT Alliance and other partners , the inter-religious convention brought together over 160 faith leaders and activists from more than 25 countries globally  to deliberate on 3 main thematic areas on gender justice , justice and peace as well as freedom  of religion and belief and inclusion.

The three day  convention, from 3rd to 6th December  brought a unified voice of faith  as change makers, in affirming human dignity, justice and freedom for all.

 

Press Release: COP28 delivers disappointing results

For Immediate Release

December 13, 2023 13:00 GST

Perhaps not surprisingly, COP28 moved into overtime after the Presidency released a weak draft text on December 11, one that was met with disdain by many nations, including the US and the UK, and with civil society organisations and faith groups demanding stronger text.

Although the Presidency was determined to end by noon on December 12th, that timeline was not met, with the final plenary only beginning at 11am  on the morning of December 13. Parties worked through the night to deliver a sort-of consensus, one that left at least one Global South group noting for the record that they hadn’t finished their discussion before the gavel fell.

ACT Alliance followed the negotiations for more than two weeks, with ACT members from around the world keeping track of all climate finance issues, in particular Adaptation and Loss and Damage funding, with an eye on the Global Stocktake. How  human rights and gender were treated in the negotiations were also key concerns.

Overall, COP28 started on a high note for those concerned about climate justice. Parties agreed to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund with pledges of up to $792 million.  Sadly,  this is less than 1 percent  of what is needed to support people facing the greatest challenges from the impacts of climate change.

Global Stocktake

Unfortunately, the ambition of the Global Stocktake (GST)  is the exact opposite of what is needed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

What we see in the GST is weak language on human rights. Merely respecting human rights is not enough.

Elena Cedillo of Lutheran World Federation and co-chair of the ACT Alliance Climate Justice group, comments:

Protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights must be at the heart of the climate negotiations. Leaders at the COP28 climate summit should have put human rights at the centre. Ambitious climate action prioritises justice and equity; there is no climate justice without human rights.

Loss and Damage

 The agreement to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund on the very first day was a breakthrough.

Elena Cedillo, LWF and co-chair of ACT’s Climate Justice group, comments:

While pledges came in, much more is needed to support people affected by climate change-related loss and damage. Contributions to the fund should be based on common but differentiated responsibilities and the polluter pays principle, not be made on a voluntary basis.

Maua Maro, LWF delegate to COP28 comments:

Though the result of COP28  is disappointing, youth will never give up pushing for more ambition and a clear path to implement the agreed operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund.

As youth living in a community where there is no more room for adaptation, mainstreaming non-economic loss and damage, especially on the intangible impacts caused by climate change such as human-induced mobility and displacement, loss of land and people, culture and the knowledge of Indigenous peoples, must be addressed without delay.

Climate Finance

 Julius Mbatia, ACT Alliance Climate Justice lead, comments:

Yet again, climate finance has played an intricate role in determining the level of ambition at COP28. It is clear that the COP28 finance package is worrying. Commitment by rich nations to provide public, new and additional, grant-based concessional finance fell through the cracks on many occasions.

Adaptation

The negotiations in Dubai adopted a framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation. It suggests targets to seven thematic areas and acknowledges the need to develop indicators based on best available science for accountable monitoring of the progress of securing people’s lives and livelihoods in a changing climate.

Furthermore, the framework urges parties to build adaptation action in an inclusive fashion, taking into consideration and involving localised communities, Indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups such as persons with disabilities.

Although the decision pinpoints the need to ramp up action and support for adaptation, poor and vulnerable countries should not be lulled into a false sense of security: the decision only recalls and acknowledges previous commitments that are hardly sufficient for closing the adaptation gap.

Niko Humalisto of Felm in Finland, an ACT Alliance member, comments:

It is saddening that the decision doesn’t demand new and additional finances from developed countries. Without adequate resources, we fail to guarantee the right to development for those who bear the heaviest brunt of the carbon legacy of the richest nations.

Gender

Jessica Novia of ACT member YAKKUM in Indonesia, and an ACT  COP28 delegate, comments:

Climate justice should go hand in hand with gender justice. In Indonesia, there were more than 3,000 disasters in 2023, overwhelmingly hydro meteorological disasters. These disproportionately affect women, girls and people with disabilities. Funding for loss and damage should reach them before its too late.

Mitigation

Mattias Söderberg of DanChurchAid and co-chair of ACT’s Climate Justice group comments:

We now have a new direction for world development. The fossil era is ending and we should move towards a green future. That is great, but the agreement is unfortunately full of loopholes. It will thus be up to each country, how they will move forward. At the same time there is no promise about additional funding to the global south, which means that the transition may not happen. The next COP will focus on finance, and that is when we will find out if this green transition will be possible.

Youth

Savanna Sullivan for intergenerational justice /youth engagement-LWF Program Executive for Youth comments:

The world and the COP must acknowledge that not only does climate change disproportionately affect young people, but that our conversations about justice are incomplete without the creativity and wisdom of every generation – including youth.

Human rights

Sara Savva, Deputy Director of Syria’s GOPA-DERD, an ACT member, and an ACT COP28 Delegate comments:

Climate change is not only a political or economic issue, but also a human rights issue – the biggest in human history. Unless we adopt a human rights-based approach to guide policies and measures of COP28 mitigation and adaptation, climate justice will be a mirage; indirectly violating human rights.

To arrange interviews, please contact:

Mattias Söderberg, co-chair ACT Climate Justice group, Phone or WA +45 29 70 06 09

Fiona Connelly, ACT Alliance Communications, phone or WA +1 647 210-1238

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