Finally, ECO’s practice of patience has come to an end. ECO woke up this morning to the much-awaited new iteration of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) text. As ECO clicked on the link with shaky hands, one question loomed large: What will it be this time? And most importantly, will it be enough?
An initial glance gave ECO some relief. The revised text is a convergence of perspectives, even displaying some options on its initial pages! As it turns out, parties also found this version of the text to be more balanced than its previous iterations, prompting a collective decision to delve right into its content.
ECO does want to take a moment to celebrate the inclusion of its namesake throughout the GGA text. Particularly, ECO applauds the attention given to adaptation measures, emphasizing restoration, conservation, and the protection of terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems. References through the text to local and Indigenous knowledge systems are similarly welcome, although parties could do a lot better to reinforce gender considerations.
While parties are now provided with an option to acknowledge the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capacities (CBDR-RC) of the Paris Agreement and Convention, alas, the coveted standalone permanent agenda item on the GGA becomes another mirage in this desert. What we are given instead is a two-year work program to develop indicators based on some wishy-washy targets. As if we didn’t have a work program of 2 years with 8 workshops behind us, this shiny new work program is supposed to deliver the level of ambition that will enable developing countries to track and measure their adaptation actions. And guess what – it will do this in another 2 years only! Phew! ECO is relieved to find out that nothing stands between us and urgent and swift adaptation action anymore. What’s that you’re asking? It’s not aligned with NCQG, so where will the money come from for developing countries to formulate and implement their NAPs, and establish robust systems to collect data and track progress? But didn’t you hear developed countries saying the finance discussion doesn’t belong under the GGA?!
ECO will spell it out once again for those at the back: A GGA framework lacking quantifiable targets and means of implementation would be rendered hollow, amplifying concerns about the GGA’s sincerity. Finance, after all, is the red thread that runs through almost all COP negotiations. The current text issues a call to developed countries to amplify and enhance adaptation finance, emphasizing a need to double their collective provision to developing country parties by 2025—a seemingly lofty and challenging goal. However, the absence of a roadmap to achieving that finance goal, as well as a lack of clear targets on various dimensions, prompts a demand for revisions. ECO is confident that parties can come up with a realistic timeframe and pathway for these. Developing countries’ call to attach an overarching means of implementation target to all targets further amplifies the urgency for adequate support.
ECO would like to remind all involved that the world is keenly observing the unfolding dynamics of the GGA, and the spotlight remains on the need for tangible global targets, effective means of implementation – first and foremost finance – and an unwavering collective commitment to realizing a sustainable future.