TOP OF THE COP: WATERTIGHT SOLUTIONS
Nigel ToppingUN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP26
Top of the COP: Watertight Solutions
Monday 14 November 2022
Climate change impacts are often felt through water. Too much or too little can be equally damaging. From devastating drought in Somalia, to deadly floods in Pakistan, this year millions across the globe have suffered both extremes.
The fact that those experiencing the greatest losses have done the least to cause them is the greatest injustice of our age. Indeed, this year alone, Pakistan is estimated to have experienced over USD 30 billion in losses, while floods in Nigeria have displaced more than 1.4 million people.
This brings us to COP27 where losses and damages - how to tackle the impacts of climate change after they are experienced - is of critical importance.
Read on for more information about events, announcements and other news from water day.
Today’s Key Announcements
The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions todaylaunch a paper setting out practical actions for non-State actors to accelerate action to address losses and damages and mobilise finance. Recognising that losses and damages are happening now, with increasing frequency and severity, the Climate Champions invite everyone to collaborate by implementing solutions and accelerating financial flows to where they are most needed.
The COP 27 Presidency launches the Action on Water Adaptation and Resilience Initiative(AWARe). This aims to put water front and centre of adaptation and resilience action by offering transitional adaptation solutions for the planet and people, starting with the world’s most vulnerable communities and ecosystems in Africa. The initiative is arranged across three main priorities: 1) decrease water loss and improve water supply worldwide; 2) propose and support implementing mutually agreed policy and methods for cooperative water-related adaptation action and its co-benefits; and 3) promote cooperation and interlinkages between water and climate action in order to achieve Agenda 2030, in particular SDG6.
The African Cities Water Adaptation Fund (ACWA Fund) is a new Africa-focused blended finance instrument that aims to support the development and implementation of more than 200 projects in 100 African cities by 2032. Launched by the World Resource Institute (WRI) together with public and private sector partners, development banks, impact investors, state and non-State actors and experts, it supports city leaders to fund and scale high-impact water resilience solutions across Africa by leveraging private financing while better coordinating public sector funds alongside climate and development aid.
Signatories to the Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprint today make a call to action to governments in both developed and developing countries, progressive businesses, financiers and NGOs to join this leadership initiative which puts climate resilient and equitable water management at the heart of the global economy by 2030. Inspirational action is already underway by Peru, Malawi, Madagascar, Finland, Panama, the UK, businesses, investors and civil-society across the coalition.
The Roof Over Our Heads campaign will be officially launched today at the Resilience Hub with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, Sheela Patel, Director, Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) and Nigel Topping, COP 26 High-Level Champion. The campaign was developed through global and regional roundtables in September and October. Its aim is to provide two billion people with resilient, low carbon and affordable homes by 2050, beginning with community project labs in India. Partners in the global campaign, spearheaded by The Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centers SPARC, include Slum Dwellers International, Holcim, Global Resilience Partnership, International Institute for Environment and Development, ARUP and the World Green Building Council. Roof Over Our Heads is part of the High-Level Champions’ Race to Resilience.
Ten leading shipping organisations and green hydrogen producers commit to producing and deploying at least 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 to supply the 5% zero-emissions shipping fuels needed to put the global maritime sector on a decarbonization path aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5C or below. The signatories, which include CWP Global, Fortescue Future Industries and Maersk, call on policy makers to support them in achieving these ambitious targets.
The Netherlands introduces the Champions Group for Deltas and Coastal Zones. The group enables harmonized action between countries and Small Island States to realize sustainable management of deltas and coastal zones in the short and medium term. The group will provide area-specific advice to countries on the integral implementation of their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) or national climate adaptation strategies. An aspired outcome of these endeavors is a pipeline of sustainable projects for financial institutions. The group aims to contribute to ambitious outcomes at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
EXPLORE COP27
The Water and Climate Pavilion
The Water and Climate Pavilion is held in Area B of the Blue Zone offering cutting-edge, science-based advice to climate decision-makers and negotiators.
The 40 partner organisations have developed an ambitious programme spanning ten different themes. The aim of the Water and Climate Pavilion is to promote climate-resilient water management and supply solutions that will support Parties in meeting their climate goals. More information can be found here. Today the programme is focused on Water, energy and climate nexuses.
Children and Youth Pavilion
Visit the pavilion to see a beautiful hand painted mural by the Fearless Collective. Started by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman in 2012, the collective creates public art interventions with women and misrepresented communities across the world. Seen here is Pakistani environmentalist Ayisha Siddiqa. Expect powerful words from her at today’s Loss and Damage event: 17:00-19:00, Action Room 2 (Lotus)
“The creation of beauty is an act of resistance” The Fearless Collective.
The Resilience Hub: Showcasing Resilience Solutions Everyday
The Resilience Hub is once again acting as the home of the Race to Resilience. Click here for the full agenda. The Hub is accessible in-person in Area C and virtually here.
No More Fairy Tales: stories to save our planet
Before we can build the resilient zero carbon economy that we have promised future generations, we must first imagine it.
Stay inspired by reading today’s story drawn from an anthology of short stories written by a variety of authors such as Kim Stanley Robinson, Paolo Bacigalupi and others. These stories present positive visions of what a sustainable society might look like and how we might get there.
Each story links to a webpage where readers can see how they can help to make the story a reality. Compiled by the Green Stories Project, in association with Herculean Climate Solutions.
ICYMI
Dr. Agnes Kalibata: To reverse runaway climate change and build resilient societies we need to transform food systems
Dr Agnes Kalibata discusses why urgently transforming our food systems is not only critical for our environment and the climate, but for the economy – creating opportunities for urgent growth in a time of compounded crises.
Economy of Love: Rethinking agriculture for the future
Economy of Love (EoL) is an ethical, sustainable and transparent certification standard that supports biodynamic farmers and brings a positive environmental impact by sequestering carbon and enhancing farms’ biodiversity.
WHO ARE THE HIGH LEVEL CHAMPIONS?
The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions enhance and strengthen the engagement of non-Party stakeholders in collaborating with Parties, to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. To connect the work of governments with the many voluntary and collaborative actions taken by cities, regions, businesses, investors and civil society, at COP 21, countries decided to appoint two High Level Champions.
The current Champions are Mr. Nigel Topping and Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin. Working with the Marrakech Partnership, they build on the legacy of their predecessors to engage with non-Party stakeholders and activate the ‘ambition loop’ with national governments. Their work is fundamentally designed to encourage a collaborative shift across all of society towards a decarbonized economy so that we can all thrive in a healthy, resilient and net-zero world.
For any press enquiries contact: media@climatechampions.team
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