The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement never works in isolation. But partnerships, one of its strategic directions, are more important than ever in the context of global warming. Around the world, as national societies have taken on climate change programmes they have sought dialogue with government and local authority, with meteorological offices, universities and other centres of knowledge, and with NGOs, civil society. By reaching out to others they have extended their networks and continued to advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable in accordance with their fundamental principles.
“This isn’t something you do on your own. It is very important stakeholders work hand in hand. Together we can do a lot more.” Tataua Pese, Tuvalu.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent also needs to speak out for the most vulnerable, those who have contributed least to the problem but will suffer most. Measures to reduce the impacts of climate change are being implemented in the richest countries that can afford to do so, rather than for those people that need them most. These imbalance need to be addressed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In that context 2009 was a crucial year for negotiations to arrive at a successor to the Kyoto protocol, which has to enter into force in 2012. This agreement needs to include clear mechanisms to provide resources to reduce the risks facing the most vulnerable people.
However, transfer of resources is not enough, we also need strengthening of human capacities to develop and implement climate risk reduction for the most vulnerable people. The Red Cross and Red Crescent must face up to that challenge, both internally and externally, building on our global movement with strong local presence – matching the scope of climate change: a global problem with local impacts.
Policies and actions to support developing countries to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change have been developing in the last years, and accelerating since 2007. One of the (few) achievements at the Climate Summit in Copenhagen was the commitment in the Copenhagen Accord by industrialized countries to support developing countries in 2010-2012 with $30 billion, to be divided in a balanced way between mitigation and adaptation. In addition it was agreed that by 2020 $100 billion should be mobilised annually in support of climate actions in developing countries. In many developing countries climate change adaptation (CCA) programmes and policies have already been set in motion, often supported by UN agencies, bilateral donors or the World Bank. Civil society organisations are also increasingly developing and implementing CCA programmes and projects. Climate change will likely lead to more, and more intense, weather extremes, resulting in disasters. Humanitarian actors have much experience to address and reduce these risks. Yet, in many countries humanitarian actors are not fully aware of, or engaged in, climate change adaptation policies and programme development. Establishing the first steps of a dialogue with your government on the topic can be a bit challenging. Recently, we produced a document 
(pdf, 171 kB) at the request of National Societies and Federation staff world-wide. It aims to help get that dialogue started. Download here an overview of a number of CCA and DRR related initiatives in developing countries (Excel).
In November 2007, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent expressed a clear concern about the humanitarian impacts of climate change, and a strong commitment to address them. Download here (pdf, 115 kB) the conference declaration Together for Humanity.
Read more about the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Recently, the IFRC compiled an advocacy toolkit for the UNFCCC COP 16 climate conference in Cancun, Mexico. The following documents from this toolkit can be downloaded:
(pdf, 134 kB) (pdf, 206 kB) (pdf, 211 kB) (pdf, 225 kB)Under the leadership of the Mexican Red Cross, the IFRC and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre will be in Mexico attending this conference.
(pdf, 104 kB) (pdf, 870 kB) (pdf, 172 kB)Take a look here for more information on climate change negotiations.
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
(pdf, 85 kB)
The Climate Guide contains the experiences of over thirty national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Read more
