The G7 countries join forces to strengthen adaptation actions in support of the most vulnerable countries
01/05/2024
The G7 Climate, Energy and Environment ministerial meeting, led by the Italian Presidency, took place in Venaria Reale on 29-30 April. The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, together with G7 partners, announced an initiative on adaptation to enhance international cooperation with developing countries, in particular with those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The initiative, called the Adaptation Accelerator Hub, aims to help bridge the gap between the current implementation of adaptation action and what is necessary to urgently respond to the climate impacts in the most climate vulnerable countries and communities. It will aim to accelerate the implementation of and investment into climate change adaptation action, with a focus on establishing viable investment plans to respond to developing countries’ adaptation needs.
The Adaptation Accelerator Hub aims to promote partnerships and to strengthen and mobilize support for the most vulnerable developing countries to move from planning to implementation. Building on the model of cooperation promoted by the UN Secretary General, the Adaptation Pipeline Accelerator (APA), it will recognize the important contribution of existing national and international initiatives on adaptation such as the NAP Global Network, the NDC Partnership, and other similar platform or programmatic approaches, create linkages and synergies between them and build on their work. The G7 members propose this initiative to connect and strengthen efforts already in place while catalyzing and enhancing collaboration between a broad range of technological and technical and financial actors including G7 national development or financing institutions.
By launching the initiative, the G7 collectively demonstrates its determination to urgently accelerate the implementation of adaptation measures in the most climate vulnerable countries, and reaffirm its solidarity with countries which are facing the most serious consequences as a result of climate change.
The Adaptation Accelerator Hub will be supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an agency which has extensive experience and the technical resources to effectively facilitate the implementation of adaptation actions in developing countries. UNDP will draw from existing experiences, to facilitate the creation of partnerships between countries, broaden participation, and promote the involvement of a wide range of technical partners and financiers. Italy underscores its commitment to achieving the objectives of the initiative by providing a financial contribution to UNDP to also support the implementation of the initiative as needed.
Quotes
Mr. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Italy: “Despite the progress made, science highlights how a gap remains between current levels of adaptation and those necessary to respond to impacts and reduce climate risks. As the G7, we join forces to support the most vulnerable countries in transforming adaptation planning into concrete projects to increase their resilience. The Adaptation Accelerator Hub, will optimise collaboration, the exchange of experiences and technical skills, communication and support between partner countries. Through greater coordination and stronger collaboration, we want to achieve a more cohesive, collective approach, ultimately contributing to the growth of resilience and sustainability of communities around the world.”
Mr. Shintaro Ito, Minister of the Environment, Japan: “It is important to be proactive in taking adaptation measures. Based on the Assistance Package to Promote Investments for Global Actions Toward the Achievement of the Paris Agreement Goals, presented at COP28, Japan has been promoting introduction of Early warning system through public private partnership and information sharing and capacity development with Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT). Japan would like to contribute by cooperating with the G7 countries to consolidate important information on adaptation measures and promote integrated and effective deployment of policies and technologies. In this regard, Japan welcomes the launch of Adaptation Accelerator Hub.”
Mr. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada: “The science is clear, human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, is already causing widespread adverse impacts. Across sectors and regions, the most vulnerable people and systems continue to be disproportionately affected despite current adaptation efforts. The G7 Adaptation Accelerator Hub has the potential to bring together adaptation actors to address in a coherent manner the gaps between planning for adaptation and delivering action on the ground, where it is most needed. Canada is proud to support this initiative and reiterate its commitment to continue making progress in enhancing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable countries in responding to the impacts of climate change.”
Ms. Sue Biniaz, Principal Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, United States: “The United States welcomes the G7 adaptation initiative, which will help address a critical gap in the implementation of climate adaptation action. We are pleased to contribute to this effort by working with Congress to provide new support for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network, in order to help vulnerable developing countries create and strengthen adaptation investment plans that can attract finance and accelerate implementation.”
Ms. Svenja Schulze, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany: “Building Resilience to climate change impacts has never been more pressing. We welcome and support the Italian G7 Presidency initiative to accelerate the implementation of adaptation action. The initiative encourages improved coordination and consolidation among the institutions which are active in the field and we hope it will also help attract much needed private investment towards the most vulnerable countries.”
Mr. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, Francophonie and French Nationals Abroad, France: “International cooperation is key to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable countries. We therefore welcome the Adaptation Accelerator Hub launched by the Presidency that will contribute to enhance G7 members coordination building on existing initiatives and attract additional private funding”.
Mr. Andrew Bowie, Minister for Nuclear & Renewables, UK: “Today marks a major milestone ahead of COP29 as we are strengthening our support for the most climate vulnerable countries through the Adaptation Accelerator Hub. This initiative will help communities most at risk turn plans into action to protect their environment and reduce the impact of climate change such as extreme weather. I would like to thank the Italian Presidency for driving this initiative forward.”
Mr. Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate Action, European Union: “Building resilience to climate change impacts has never been more pressing. I welcome and support the G7 initiative to accelerate the implementation of adaptation action. The initiative encourages improved coordination and consolidation among the institutions and initiatives which are active in the field also with the objective to attract much needed private investment, and particularly towards the most vulnerable countries.”
Mr. Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team: “Surging temperatures means surging risk – as storms, fires, floods and drought become more frequent and ferocious. This will only get worse as global emissions continue to rise. Lives and livelihoods are being lost and destroyed. That makes action to protect people and economies more pressing than ever. Yet global efforts in support of adaptation planning, financing and implementation in vulnerable developing countries are either off-track or slowing. Protecting those on the frontlines of the climate crisis must be a top G7 and global priority. This includes meeting the commitment made at COP26 in Glasgow to double adaptation finance by 2025. The United Nations looks forward to working with the G7 on ensuring that its Adaptation Accelerator Hub helps to close the adaptation gap and puts the world on track for a more resilient and prosperous future.”