New COP28 draft on adaptation disappointing, ActionAid says

 Teresa Anderson, Global Climate Justice Lead at ActionAid International, says: “It’s absolutely critical that countries on the front lines of the climate crisis take decisive action to address the water scarcity, food shortages, and health impacts that are being triggered by climate impacts, and which are pushing vulnerable groups especially women, deeper into poverty.  

“The tragedy, however, is that countries who are most affected by climate impacts have the least resources to cope with its effects. The hotter the planet becomes, the more costs they will bear. Developed countries therefore also have to do their bit to make this global goal happen, which means providing finance.  

“The new draft is disappointing. It still has only soft language that politely encourages developed countries to play their part, but doesn’t go far enough in actually requiring wealthy countries to provide the finance needed to make the adaptation goal a reality on the ground. Given developed countries’ reluctance to do anything they aren’t obliged to, we all know this is code for ‘only if you feel like it, but no worries if you don’t.’ This is unlikely to provide the reassurance that developing countries need.”

To contact the ActionAid Press Office, email [email protected] or WhatsApp +263776665065. 

Teresa Anderson is at COP28 and available for media interviews