Dubai
As the UN climate talks in Dubai approach their conclusion, negotiators unveiled a draft document aimed at guiding countries in their climate change adaptation efforts. However, the document, part of the Glasgow-Sharm El-Sheikh Work Programme, is deemed insufficient by some. The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), introduced in the 2015 Paris Agreement, lacks a quantified financial commitment. The acknowledgment that adaptation finance is insufficient and the widening gap between required and available funds underscore concerns. Developing countries, requiring USD 215-387 billion annually for adaptation, are only receiving about USD 21 billion, creating frustration among the most impacted nations. Zambia’s Environment Minister stressed the importance of a global adaptation goal, emphasizing its significance for Africa’s survival. Critics note the absence of explicit mentions of adaptation finance in the document, posing challenges to addressing the adaptation finance gap and the overarching goal of closing it. The draft includes references to equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), a crucial point for developing nations in the ongoing negotiations.
