If we look at the world over the past 2 months, the case for climate adaptation has never been stronger. We’re seeing typhoons in China force over 100,000 people to evacuate. We’re seeing wildfires in Canada wipe whole villages off the map. We’re seeing a tsunami of debris and destruction in Germany and Belgium as communities attempt to clean up after unprecedented megafloods.
Even if humanity were to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions today, climate disasters like these will still be happening. The call has never been louder. It’s time to increase our preparedness for climate impacts. It's time to adapt.
Global Network News
JUN-JUL UPDATE
Report: Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities: the Power of Nature-based Solutions - This report, produced by UNEP in close collaboration with the Italian Presidency of the G20, investigates the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) to build smart, sustainable and resilient cities, drawing from more than a decade of research and experience from G20 countries and beyond. The goal of the report is to inspire action to enhance NbS in cities to reduce climate vulnerability.
Video Launch of the UN Climate Change & Universities Partnership - A video has been launched with stories from partners to promote the UN Climate Change and Universities Partnership Programme. Check out the video to learn how graduate students are working closely with local, national and regional partners to undertake a research project as a part of their master's theses. Watch the video and read more about the partnership programme here.
Report: Coastal Adaptation & Nature-based Solutions for the Implementation of NAPs – This new publication from UN Climate Change provides guidance to developing countries on accessing finance for the implementation of coastal and marine nature-based solutions to increase resilience to extreme climatic events. An important source of grants and concessional finance is the Green Climate Fund, especially for coastal and marine nature-based solutions.
Global EbA Fund Updates – Are you working in ecosystem-based adaptation? If so, our survey to collect your experiences has been extended to 31st October, so you still have time to share your work, lessons, achievements, and more! The Global EbA Fund is accepting applications to support scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation across the world. The second cycle of applications is now open, with a cut-off date of 15 September 2021. See here for details on how to apply.
Report: Toward Gender-responsive Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Why it’s needed and how to get there - The purpose of this report is twofold: to illustrate the importance of integrating gender considerations in EbA actions and to provide concrete examples of how this can be done in practice. It is designed for EbA practitioners and adaptation policy-makers, including government decision-makers, civil society organisations, private sector enterprises, and research institutions.
News from the Regions
AFRICA
In Tanzania, locals and officials band together to save mangroves - The International Day of the Tropics in June aims to raise awareness about the unique challenges tropical nations face from climate change, deforestation and urbanisation. To mark the occasion, UNEP is looking back at a story from July 2020 about how one community in Tanzania is reversing years of damage to a vital tropical ecosystem: mangroves.
South Sudan Receives Boost for Climate Adaptation – Funded by the Global Environment Facility with $9 million, a brand new project has been launched in South Sudan to strengthen the capacity of government and communities to adapt to climate change. The project, implemented in partnership with Ministry of Environment, UNEP and WMO, will be looking at solutions such as ecosystem-based adaptation and climate-smart agriculture.
EBAFOSA’s Climate Action Digest - The latest issue of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly’s (EBAFOSA) newsletter focuses on Training in Adoption of Affordable & Efficient Fuel Briquettes to Avert Degradation of Forest Ecosystems: The Case of Ghana. This edition also focuses on initiatives driving clean energy prospects and improving the living standards of the people of Ghana through the creation of youth opportunities.
Deadly Floods in China Send Stark Reminder of Climate Vulnerabilities - Deadly floods have upended life in both China and Germany. Some parts of China experienced a year’s worth of rainfall in just 3 days. Climate-proof housing and infrastructure will be expensive, but the cost of inaction is higher. "Warning systems, which were heavily criticized in Germany for leaving people insufficient time to react, will have to be improved."
News from the Regions
EUROPE
Dykes, storm gates and sponge parks: How can European cities prevent flooding?–“The devastating floods that hit Germany and Belgium are a stark reminder of the dangers low-lying cities across the world face, as climate change brings more extreme weather.” An article in Euro News lays out some of the adaptation solutions, including building high, building smart, and building with nature.
Record funding for flood defences in England as climate crisis worsens risks – The major flooding in London demonstrates that the city is now on the frontlines of the climate emergency. The government will now spend a record £5.2 billion on reducing flooding in England over the next 6 years, which is expected to better protect 336,000 properties by 2027. Events such as the flash floods in London in July will get more common as a result of global heating.
News from the Regions
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
Video: Cubans take action to restore the country’s vast mangrove forests - In Cuba, local communities have joined forces with the government to restore damaged mangrove forests. These ecosystems cover 70% of the country’s coasts and are vital to prevent the effects of climate change, since they protect the coastline from storms and floods and contribute to the health of coral reefs and seagrasses.
National adaptation planning in Dominican Republic- In June, a NAP project in the Dominican Republic developed 3 workshops to share activities with key stakeholders. The workshops were attended by representatives of sectoral and municipal entities, NGOs from the environmental sector, tourism, civil protection, humanitarian assistance and the academic sector. These workshops represent the entry of the project at the regional level.
Video: Restoring forests in Mexico to adapt to climate change - In response to World Environment Day on June 5 and the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a new video from the CityAdapt project in Latin America and the Caribbean highlights the progress made in the ecological restoration of Cerro del Estropajo in Xalapa, Mexico.
Have you participated in any GAN activities? Or have you used any UNEP or GAN adaptation knowledge products? If yes, please take 10 minutes to fill out this survey! Your responses are vital to our mission of spreading knowledge and building greater ambition for climate adaptation. Thank you!
