DUBAI: As the world grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, finding solutions to combat this global crisis and address conflict-affected regions has become an urgent priority. The upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties, or COP28, to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), holds significant importance in tackling the complex interplay between climate resilience and conflict-affected areas.
A recently released joint policy report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Norwegian Red Cross sheds light on the alarming rise of humanitarian needs in the Near and Middle East. Titled “Making Adaptation Work: Addressing the compounding impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict in the Near and Middle East,” the report highlights the dire situation faced by communities in the region.
According to the ICRC report, climate change poses a grave threat to human security, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and fueling conflicts. The report emphasizes the urgent need to address the intertwined challenges faced by marginalized communities, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crises.
To delve into the intricate connections between climate resilience, conflict-affected regions, and the imperative need for climate financing, a panel of experts recently gathered in Dubai. Participants included Clare Dalton, the ICRC’s head of delegation in the UAE, Trond H.G. Rudi, charge d’affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in the UAE, and Helena de Jong, senior advisor of the UAE COP28 team.
One of the key challenges highlighted by Dalton is effectively channeling climate financing to countries grappling with conflict. She stressed the need for COP28 to ensure that climate financing is directed to conflict-affected nations in practical ways that they can utilize despite existing obstacles such as unreliable banking systems.
Limited access to climate financing in conflict-affected regions
The ICRC report sheds light on the limited access and utilization of climate financing in conflict-affected regions. Strict governance prerequisites and hesitance to invest in volatile contexts have resulted in only a small number of single-country projects in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen receiving funding approval. This disparity underscores the urgent need to address the barriers hindering climate financing in conflict-affected regions.
To overcome these obstacles, Dalton called for the collaboration of all sectors of society to develop tangible and implementable solutions. She emphasized the importance of engaging with the inhabitants of conflict-affected regions, incorporating their perspectives and experiences into climate resilience initiatives.
De Jong, the senior advisor of the UAE COP28 team, highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in climate financing, with a renewed focus on prioritizing conflict-affected nations. She called for a global pact that includes actionable solutions such as streamlined application procedures, adjusted eligibility criteria for conflict-affected actors, and increased flexibility in project locations.
The UAE, as the host of COP28, aims to create a platform that brings together various actors to collectively explore solutions. De Jong emphasized the need to leverage existing momentum for change and see COP28 as a stepping stone toward addressing the complex issues comprehensively.
