Climate Change – Things Are Heating Up Across The Globe, Literally

Maldives is all set to host the launch of the Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh work program on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) from May 16^th to 17^th, 2022. Attending this event are high-level representatives from the UNFCCC, the COP26 Presidency, the incoming COP27 Presidency, policy experts, and government officials from developed countries, SIDS, and other vulnerable countries.
 
The GGA is a key goal of the Paris Agreement, with the goal of increasing adaptive capacity, resilience, and reducing vulnerability in the context of keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. For many years, little progress has been made in defining and operationalizing the GGA, and as the rate of global warming and its associated impacts has increased, this gap has become more apparent.

 
“We have seen the world urgently mobilize innovation and funding to address global challenges like Covid-19, when it wants to. As the science has outlined, there is no greater challenge than the climate emergency, and we must work together in order to minimize further impact on the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable.” – Sabra Noordeen, Special Envoy for Climate Change.
 
Parties agreed last year at COP26 in Glasgow to launch a two-year work program to further develop the GGA. In response, the Maldives, a small island state with unique vulnerabilities and a leading voice in international efforts to address climate change, announced its intention to host a work program launch event to build momentum and exchange information.
 
The Maldives, like many other SIDS and vulnerable countries, faces numerous challenges in building resilience and adapting to climate change. These difficulties include a consistent lack of investment, technical resources, and capacity to advance and implement adaptation needs in their own countries.

 
"The world is already seeing the devastating impacts of climate change and the increased costs on lives and livelihoods in areas where resilience and adaptive capacity is weak or non – existent. We must address both the causes and the impacts of climate change immediately and together. We have 91 months to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C." – Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment Climate Change and Technology.
 
The launch event will concentrate on increasing political support for the GGA work program. It will allow Parties to share their experiences and challenges with adaptation and resilience building, as well as exchange views on how the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II Report can be incorporated into the work program.
 
“The cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health. Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a live-able and sustainable future for all.” IPCC Working Group II Report – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.