September 4, 2024, Beijing – Dr. Youssef Nassef, Director of the Adaptation Division of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Ms. Yu Chen from the Adaptation Division, UNFCCC, visited UNEP-IEMP and engaged in discussions with IEMP staff on global climate change adaptation strategies.
During the meeting, Dr. Nassef emphasized the ongoing challenges in defining the responsibilities of developed and developing countries under the framework of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). He pointed out that the definition of "developing countries" remains ambiguous in international climate negotiations.
He also highlighted that by 2030, the demand for climate adaptation is expected to reach $100 billion annually, while the current global funding stands at only $2 billion, leaving a significant gap. He called for innovative financing mechanisms to meet the growing need for adaptation funds.
In addition, he emphasized the significance of establishing the “Loss and Damage Fund.” Against the backdrop of the increasingly severe global climate situation, where climate disasters frequently occur, causing great losses and challenges for countries, the purpose of setting up this fund is to provide strong support, helping nations recover quickly after suffering climate disasters. Although the implementation of the fund faces many obstacles, such as difficulties in raising funds and coordinating national interests, it undeniably marks a solid and important step toward post-disaster recovery. This step not only brings hope to affected countries but also injects new momentum into the global effort to combat climate change.
Finally, UNEP-IEMP shared the profound insights on balancing preventive and reactive measures to address climate impacts. Resilience to climate change can be effectively strengthened through strategic planning, relocation, and the use of financial mechanisms such as insurance. At the same time, Director Zhang also emphasized the significant importance of upscale actions and called for further strengthening the coordination between government policies and incentive mechanisms to accelerate the advancement of climate adaptation efforts.
This exchange event explored how UNEP-IEMP’s ecosystem-based approach can further contribute to global adaptation strategies, particularly in supporting vulnerable regions facing urgent climate challenges.
