Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience
On 10 September, leaders from the Global Commission on Adaptation launched their report ‘Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience’. With the report, they call on governments and businesses to take urgent action to innovate and advance climate adaptation solutions in light of new research findings.
The Commission is led by Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Kristalina Georgieva*, CEO of the World Bank. Patrick Verkooijen, CEO Global Center on Adaptation was present during the launch. Verkooijen, AIWW Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) member, will be one of the speakers at this year’s AIWW Conference, organised by NWP and IWC (International Water Conferences). During the opening of AIWW 2019, Ban Ki-moon will also inspire visitors.
Adaptation can produce significant economic returns
The report is being released as climate impacts – such as super-charged hurricanes, floods, and wildfires – are becoming an increasingly urgent reality. As recent events have shown, climate change affects people everywhere. Furthermore, without action, millions of people will be pushed further into poverty, leading to increased conflict and instability.
The report puts forward a bold vision for how to transform key systems to be more resilient and productive. The Commission finds that adaptation can produce significant economic returns. The overall rate of return on investments in improved resilience is high, with benefit-cost ratios ranging from 2:1 to 10:1, and in some cases even higher. Specifically, the analysis finds that investing $1.8 trillion globally in five areas from 2020 to 2030 could generate $7.1 trillion in total net benefits.
Global Commission on Adaption: a Dutch initiative
The Global Commission on Adaptation has been established in September 2018. The Netherlands functions as the key convener of the GCA, with Dutch Minister Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) as the initiating Commissioner. The GCA is co-hosted by the Global Center on Adaptation, under the leadership of CEO Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen. He is recognized globally for mobilizing stakeholders and delivering scaled up actions that address climate change.
Read the full report on the Global Commission on Adaptation website.
*Note: Kristalina Georgieva is currently on a leave of absence as CEO of the World Bank following her nomination as a candidate for the role of managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
Sources:
Global Commission on Adaptation
Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement
Patrick Verkooijen @PVV_GCA
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