Ahead of next week’s United Nations climate change organisation meeting in Bonn, Germany, Islamic Relief’s senior policy advisor Jamie Williams explains how smaller scale climate events can play an even bigger role than their headline-grabbing counterparts.
Dreadful floods hit Bangladesh and India following a record heatwave across South Asia. The devastating drought worsens in the Horn of Africa. Oceans are becoming increasingly acidic, and food security is threatened across the world – the need for united action to deal with the climate crisis is becoming ever more urgent.
In response, Islamic Relief is going to Bonn next week for the intersessional meeting (SB56), of the United Nations climate change organisation (UNFCCC). We will be representing our allies, about 1,800 organisations in the Climate Action Network, in talks about climate change adaptation.
Many people will be aware of the UNFCCC COP meetings, which get a good deal of publicity every year. Less known, however, are the Subsidiary Body meetings which take place between the COPs. But in some ways these are even more important, especially for non-government participants like Islamic Relief.
The Subsidiary Body meetings are much smaller, so it is easier to mix with decision makers. Delegates are less distracted by overwhelming numbers of side events and glossy pavilions and can concentrate fully on the issues at hand. Too often, major meetings end with pledges that remain largely symbolic performances for their populations back home.
Achieving adaptation
One of the most pressing issues is how to achieve the Global Goal on Adaptation. This is part of the Paris Agreement signed in 2015 by 194 countries to increase resilience, build capacity and reduce vulnerability in the face of climate breakdown.
It covers much of the work that Islamic Relief does in helping people emerge from poverty and suffering.
Another issue for discussion and action at the intersessional gathering is about the Global Stocktake. This is a way of assessing the progress of work under the Paris Agreement. It is due to take place over the next 2 years, and ways of measuring progress are being considered at the meetings in Bonn.
Again, Islamic Relief’s voice will be prominent in ensuring that progress for the most vulnerable is being counted and accelerated.
Islamic Relief continues to work across dozens of countries helping people as they adapt to climate change in terms of their livelihoods and access to land, food and water. At this month’s meetings we are also working at the global level to help governments work together to support these people to scale up adaptation action.
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