Engaging in policy processes from global to local levels
The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is clear: climate change is having dangerous and far-reaching impacts on people and the planet, despite our best efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt. The climate crisis is revealing itself as a humanitarian crisis; between 3.3 – 3.6 billion people are living in hotspots of high vulnerability. Those at greatest risk also have the least capacity to cope. Research in the IFRC World Disaster Report shows that none of the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change (according to ND-GAIN) and to climate- and weather-related disasters (according to INFORM) were among the 20 highest per person recipients of climate change adaptation funding (IFRC 2020).
The IFRC’s Strategy 2030 and the 2019 International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent have identified climate change as a critical humanitarian priority for the coming decade, also expressed in the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Ambitions to Address the Climate Crisis.
While ambition to address the climate crisis exists at the global level, the level and quality of practical action – and funds to support this action — are falling short. A disconnect between global, national and local implementation often results in failure to address the needs and harness the capacities of front-line communities.
For two decades, the Climate Centre has played an important role in shaping global policy, drawing on the best available science, evidence and experience on the ground. Looking ahead, we are guided by a clear focus on supporting local-level implementation at scale.
This includes a focus on promoting following key policy messages:
- Ensure that the most vulnerable people and those in crises (especially women, children and other vulnerable groups) are reached and included in global, national and local decisions and plans, to meet their needs;
- Increase attention and finance for adaptation and resilience, in order to strike a balance between adaptation finance and funding earmarked for mitigation;
- Champion locally led adaptation action and support vulnerable groups in decision-making, particularly about how climate finance is accessed and channeled;
- Promote coherence across humanitarian, development, environment and climate commitments by showcasing our integrated risk management approaches to building climate resilience, and translating global commitments to practical action at national and local levels;
- Enable more anticipatory and early action to reduce the impacts of rapid and slow-onset climate shocks and stressors.
