There’s a lot of curiosity about the idea of a global goal on adaptation. As you know, ECO is all about clarity, so here’s our short guide to this important proposition.
The global goal on adaptation should build the resilience of people and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change. Actions towards the goal must also protect human rights and address inequality, both of which are key to achieving sustainable development.
The pathway for achieving the goal must be dynamic, taking into account rising temperature levels and impacts. The goal should contribute to minimising residual
impacts and loss and damage through scaled up adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Here are key objectives for a global
adaptation goal:
1. Adequacy of financial and technical
resources. Adaptation is relevant to all countries, and all must develop adaptation strategies in order to deal with increasing climate impacts. However, it is the developing countries – and the most vulnerable countries in particular – that urgently need support through finance and appropriate technology. Developed nations must provide adequate and sustained support that complements the ongoing development and adaptation efforts of vulnerable developing countries. The scale of resources must be commensurate to the impacts of climate change.
2. Strengthening institutions. The global goal cannot be achieved without a strong
institution that links local, national and global efforts. All countries, and developing countries with assistance, should créate or strengthen institutions enabling policy frameworks, including the implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which contribute to building resilience. Regional and international
institutions have an important role to play in terms of capacity building, enabling policies and trans-boundary issues. ECO also recommends international coherence across Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. Assessment and accountability. A set of clear milestones should be developed at all levels through participatory planning and involvement of relevant stakeholders. These should be based on the development status, institutional capacity and resources of countries. The capacity of regional and international institutions must also be assessed prior to developing targets and indicators. Developed nations must therefore commit to providing finance and technical support and remain accountable to these commitments. Developing countries on the other hand must use the resources in an effective, transparent and accountable manner that contributes to meeting the needs of their people, particularly the most vulnerable. A review should be conducted periodically to assess progress in conjunction with the mitigation trajectory, and close the gap to meet the adaptation goal.
