Climate talks bring adaptation to a halt

Islamic Relief’s Senior Policy Advisor, Jamie Williams, reflects on the disappointing outcomes of the latest UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany, which ended earlier this month.

Islamic Relief looked on with resignation as climate adaptation negotiations ended in deadlock, throwing away all the work that had been done in the 2 weeks before, and refusing a mandate to make progress towards the global adaptation goal until after the next meeting in November.

During the conference, there was a much more successful Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue (using a traditional South Pacific method for resolving differences) asking 3 questions designed to encourage inclusive interaction and systems thinking. Here, we apply these questions to the adaptation roadmap.

Where are we? Devastating rainfall and flooding to brutal heat and wildfires. Cascading impacts on lives, livelihoods and food systems leading to displacement across multiple regions, undermining sustainable development and economic progress.

Where do we want to get to? The UN global goal on adaptation: Strengthening resilience, reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity.

How are we going to get there? Boost collaboration and shared learning between countries, exchange knowledge and practical experience to conduct impact, vulnerability, and risk assessments; plan for adaptation; implement adaptation plans and actions; and establish monitoring systems and to identify gaps in addressing developing country needs.

We can identify what countries need, but are we going to respond to them? 

The answer seems to be: ‘Not here. Not now!’

‘Developed’ countries in the talks on the global goal on adaptation insisted that “finance belongs in some other room, on some other day.”

This was the stop sign for the most vulnerable countries, who refused to continue discussing the ‘how’ without the ‘with what’.

And the roadblock starts there.

But Islamic Relief cannot stop. Our mission is to empower the most disadvantaged families and communities to overcome poverty and vulnerability in the face of climate disaster. We will continue working with communities, local actors and organisations to help them find and apply adaption solutions. And we will bring their voices to the next meeting to insist on the financial support they need.

Please support Islamic Relief in assisting families in need across the world by donating today.

Image credit: IISD/ENB – Kiara Worth