In the media

The time it takes to cross the Ayapel swamp, the largest swamp in the department of Córdoba, northern Colombia, is a good measurement of how much this landscape has changed in recent decades. The journey, which used to take several hours, can now be done in less than one. Gone are the streams that forced the boatmen to slow down and the large clumps of floating plants that made it difficult to move through the wetlands.

Before, it was full of mangroves, recalls Ana María Rivera. “Today, what do you see? Sky and water, because there’s no beautiful mangrove creek left,” says the young woman, who lives in the village of Perú, a rural area at the southern end of the swamp.

The problems plaguing the swamp are as complex as the landscape in which it is located. Ayapel and ten other municipalities in the departments of Sucre, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Antioquia make up La Mojana, where three of the country’s most important rivers converge: the San Jorge, the Cauca, and the Magdalena. The Magdalena reaches the region through the Loba branch, one of the two branches parting the river’s course as it passes through the El Banco municipality in the department of Magdalena.

In a suburban cream-brick church in Melbourne’s outer west, 5000 kilometres from a homeland facing extinction, the mellifluous voices of a congregation of Tuvaluans rise in song.

The service is mostly in Tuvaluan, a Polynesian language spoken by only 13,000 people worldwide.

This Sunday afternoon service at Melton Baptist Church is a thread that connects the Tuvaluan diaspora in Melbourne to their homeland, a tiny country in the South Pacific Ocean that many see as the canary in the climate change mine.

“Rising seas threaten to drown this island nation – a sign of what’s in store for us all,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted in 2019.

The existential threat to Tuvalu is profound.

The project "Resilience to climate change in the coastal area of Cuba through ecosystem-based adaptation-Mi Costa" developed the training workshop for members of the Pinar del Río initiative, which is the last of a series of training events that over a year have been held in the seven provinces involved in that program.

Social and environmental safeguarding was one of the most relevant issues addressed during the workshop, with the purpose of sensitizing the participants and providing them with the necessary tools to face such situations, in line with the objective of strengthening the ability of local communities to adapt to climate change.

Dr. C. Marta Rosa Muñoz Campos, director of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Cuba (FLACSO), who was at the head of the workshop, commented that these meetings have a cascading effect, since the training must flow from the provinces to the municipalities and the population. He also highlighted the role of the Municipal University Centers as one of the fundamental pillars that support the project.

Juba, May 2024 – In a major move to combat the challenges posed by climate change and food insecurity, the government of South Sudan has launched a 5-year US$33 million project to build long-term resilience within vulnerable agro-pastoral communities.

To be implemented by World Vision with the UN Development Programme, the project will benefit around 75,000 people, more than half of them women, through watershed-based ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agricultural practices, and diversified livelihoods, as well as strengthened connections to markets. It will also contribute directly to the sustainable management of 15,000 hectares of land in a region recognized as being highly vulnerable to desertification.

“With the climate crisis only deepening, we are delighted to see this important climate adaptation project (WACRESS) launch in Juba,” said South Sudan’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Hon Josephine Napwon. “In partnership with the Global Environment Facility, UN Development Programme, and World Vision, it will directly improve lives and livelihoods and contribute to the three pillars of our National Adaptation Plan – building climate resilient communities, building a climate-resilient economy and development pathway, and building a climate-resilient environment.”

The deputy head of UN development Agency has called for a joint efforts between the government and partners to empower communities and protect natural resources as the country embarks on implementing a five-year climate resilience project. 

The five-year project known as "Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscape Project" shall be implemented in Aweil Centre and Aweil East countries. 

It is funded by the Global Environment Facility through UNDP and implemented by World Vision South Sudan in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

South Sudan and World Vision have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a project that seeks to strengthen local resilience to the impact of climate change. The project named “Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-Pastoral Landscapes” is worth 33 million U.S. dollars and will target 75,000 people in Aweil Center and Aweil East counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.The five-year project to be implemented by World Vision will enhance the capacity of communities to manage and withstand the adverse effects of climate change. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Josephine Napwon Cosmos, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, said her ministry developed the project to address the impacts of climate change in the country. Dominic Sam, the UNDP Resident Representative in South Sudan, said the project focus extends to resilient agriculture and food value chains, and boost climate-smart practices to mitigate crop failure risks and enhance food security and economic independence for 25,000 individuals.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has handed over US$82 000 worth of goats, agricultural and laboratory equipment to Esigodini Agricultural College to enhance the institution’s programmes.

Esigodini Agricultural College is one of the five platforms driving Zimbabwe’s innovation in agriculture.

The college received 54 Kalahari and Matabele goats and an assortment of agricultural equipment including heating ovens, a lab size grinding mill, an automated fat extractor, microscopes, fume cupboards, a automated kjeldahl unit and several laboratory consumables.

“UNDP has the largest climate portfolio in the UN system, supporting climate action in nearly 150 developing countries,” Cassie Flynn, Global Director of Climate Change at UNDP, explained.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) today unveiled the next stage of the Climate Promise – an initiative to support developing countries on their climate action.

Climate Promise 2025 - introduced by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner at an event at UN Headquarters in New York City - marks the beginning of renewed efforts on climate action across the UN System ahead of 2025, a critical year as countries enter into a new 5-year cycle of commitments to limit global warming.

UNDP’s Climate Promise 2025 builds on the organization’s continuing support for more than 125 developing countries to align the next generation of their national climate pledges – known as ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ or ‘NDCs’ – to the goals set forth under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and increase resilience to climate impacts.

THE sun beats down mercilessly on Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province. Once a canvas of green maize stalks, the land is now a cracked and thirsty expanse.

Mr Africa Siziba, a 45-year-old farmer from Jawanda Village under Chief Mawarire in Ward 4 of Mwenezi East, stands with a heavy heart, watching his crops wilt under the relentless glare.

The wind whispers not of rain, but carries a scorching dryness that steals the life from the withering plants. The harsh reality of climate change is etched upon this landscape. It’s devastating effects on livelihoods, health, water and food security are no longer distant threats — they are a brutal present. Mwenezi, like other districts in Masvingo Province, lies in natural regions four and five, making it particularly vulnerable. The last two decades have seen some of the harshest consequences of climate change here, with El Nino’s impact on crop yields this year being a stark example.

The Climate Promise 2025 aims to accelerate efforts from local to international levels to take more ambitious steps to ensure the global temperature does not heat up beyond the 1.5° limit, a goal set with the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the initiative, driven by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), recognises an important truth in the climate battle: “it is not all doom and gloom”.

“Many countries have the will to take more ambitious steps on climate action, but the world needs to mobilise to ensure there is a way,” he said at the Below 1.5 by 2025: The Plan launch event.

Hosted by actor Ato Essandoh, the event featured conversations and pledges for action interspersed with videos aired from around the world, echoing a chorus of calls for world leaders to join and keep the promise.

The Majhi community in Nepal has been significantly impacted by climate change with adverse effects on their traditional livelihoods, which heavily relies on natural resources, such as fishing in rivers. Their unique knowledge on climate change is often overlooked instead of being acknowledged and leveraged to enhance their resilience and ensure sustainable liveliho.ods

The incessant rain, along with prolonged dry periods and drought, has made it difficult for the community to sustain their livelihoods for example, lack of irrigation has affected agricultural practices. Though there have been improvements in water supply, challenges still persist. And the Majhi community is shifting from on-farm to off-farm activities such as brewing of alcohol or undertaking manual labor for income.

New York, 23 April 2024 – The UN Development Programme (UNDP) today unveiled the next stage of the Climate Promise – an initiative to support developing countries on their climate action.

Climate Promise 2025 - introduced by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner at an event at UN Headquarters in New York City - marks the beginning of renewed efforts on climate action across the UN System ahead of 2025, a critical year as countries enter into a new 5-year cycle of commitments to limit global warming.

Sergazina provided invaluable insights into the implications of these forecasts and emphasized the critical need for both adaptation and mitigation efforts.

By Dr Farhina Ahmed is secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Stefan Liller is the UNDP resident representative in Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh proudly hosts the ninth global National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo this week, the world turns its gaze to a nation that not only faces formidable climate challenges but is also leading by example in climate adaptation.

The NAP Expo, an initiative under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serves as a vital platform for sharing knowledge and forging partnerships in our collective journey towards environmental resilience.

Haiti, a Caribbean nation endowed with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, finds itself grappling with a myriad of challenges, from environmental degradation to political instability. UNDP is taking innovative steps to help the country address these in an integrated way.

The intervention in the Trois-Rivieres Watershed is part of a broader effort to support the Haitian Government and people address climate security challenges. UNDP helped to support Haiti’s first ever assessment of climate security challenges and participates in a recently established Climate Security Group. The project embodies the main aspects that this Group agrees are needed to address compound environmental and conflict risks: establishing a common understanding among stakeholders on what the linkages are; ensuring synergy and complementarity of actions; adapting mechanisms to better finance peacebuilding and climate change actions; technical capacity-building and making the most of technologies and research structures. Above all the project suggests pragmatic ways to close the funding gap and try and ensure that communities living in areas affected by both insecurity and climate change are empowered to adapt to multi-dimensional risks. This is climate security in practice.

Felizita Da Conceciao Mendoza, 23-year-old, is an engineering student learning in a programme “Safeguarding Rural Communities and their Physical Assets from Climate-induced Disasters in Timor-Leste” supported by the government of Timor-Leste and UNDP Green Climate Fund (GCF) project. Felizita is one of five women in 27 engineering students in the GCF training programme. “I am working as a technical supervisor in the Ministry of Public in Aileu Municipality. My educational background is civil engineering, which motivated me to participate in this training programme” said Felizita. 

A five-day workshop focusing on Community Conservation Areas (CCA) has been held in Vanuatu to chart a path forward regarding implementation of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Coastal Zones of Vanuatu – Phase II project (V-CAP II).

The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Vanuatu, with implementation being carried out by the Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with the Department of Environment Protection and Conservation, and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.

V-CAP II aims to improve the resilience of vulnerable areas and communities in Vanuatu to the impacts of climate change through the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and the implementation of integrated approaches in order to sustain livelihoods, food production. These efforts will ensure biodiversity conservation and reduce land degradation by building on the lessons learned from the first phase project. The project, which runs through May 2028, is being implemented in all six provinces of Vanuatu: Torba, Sanma, Malampa, Penama, Shefa, and Tafea

SWAT: Glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs) have wreaked havoc on people’s lives and livelihoods in the picturesque valleys of Utror, Gabral, and Mankiyal in northern Pakistan.

The residents told Dawn that the catastrophic events triggered by the accelerated melting of glaciers due to climate change had uprooted entire villages, leaving locals displaced and fearing for their future.

A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the alarming surge in Glof occurrences in Pakistan, with 83 such events recorded in 2023 alone.

In a significant step towards strengthening their resilience to climate change, Ethiopia, Tanzania and the Solomon Islands have collectively secured more than US$27 million from the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) for developing comprehensive early warning systems. The investment from the United Nations multi-partner trust fund will go towards addressing critical gaps in their weather observation systems and enhance their capacities to predict and respond to climate-related hazards.

Climate information and early warning systems are key to safeguarding lives, livelihoods and a country’s development, particularly in the face of more frequent, intense and unpredictable extreme weather events.

Represenative from the different sector have participated in this siginificant meeting held recenlty. Twelve new  municipalities are going to implement the project in the near future as well so that the effect of climate change can be mitigated.

It is to be noted that the project “Reduction of the Risk of Climate Change Disasters in Georgia” will be implemented in additional and existing municipalities of country. The project is already underway in the Gori, Lagodekhi, Signaghi, Telavi, Akhmeta, Samtredia, Abasha, Senaki, Khobi, Kobuleti, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Chokhatauri.

The Republic of Moldova will strengthen its resilience to the intensifying climate-related extreme weather events, such as floods and flash floods, that cause loss of life and property damage. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, provides a total of about €4 million to build the national hydro-meteorological monitoring and early warning systems and to apply an integrated water resources management approach to five key watersheds. The funds are offered through UNDP, via "Hydro-infrastructure rehabilitation to mitigate vulnerability to climate-driven extreme events in the Republic of Moldova" project, which will be implemented until the end of 2027. 

According to the 2024 Regional Human Development Report published by UNDP, Asia-Pacific is most dynamic and the fastest growing regions. It has gained 19 percentage points in the Human Development Index (HDI) and Cambodia has been on the forefront in significantly reducing multidimensional poverty. This growth, however, comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities, especially in the face of the climate crisis—a crisis that threatens to unravel decades of developmental gains. Progress has not been distributed equally. We are facing an uncertain future, therefore Cambodia has to focus on reducing inequality, vulnerability and human insecurity. One of the paths highlighted by the report is to accelerate climate change adaptation and diversifying the local economy.  This is especially important as Cambodia ranks amongst the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Based on modelling conducted in 2019 by UNDP, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Environment, it was estimated that climate change is likely to reduce absolute GDP by 2.5 percent by 2030 and by almost 10 percent by 2050. A World Bank report published in 2023 reached similar findings. Therefore, we need to commit to sustainable development, powered by the innovations of Cambodian start-ups and the support of the global investment community.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will be visiting Bangladesh in her capacity as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from March 18 to 21.

It was the first official mission since her appointment as a UNDP goodwill ambassador in October, the UN agency said.

"The crown princess's visit is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of Bangladesh’s development journey and strengthen partnerships towards a resilient and inclusive future," said Ulrika Modéer, UN assistant secretary-general and director of external relations and advocacy at UNDP, who will accompany the crown princess during the visit.

In the majestic landscapes of Northern Pakistan, a silent catastrophe is unfolding. Rising temperatures have taken a toll on the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan glaciers, causing them to melt at an alarming rate. As a result, glacial lakes have emerged, shimmering like jewels amidst the rugged terrain. These glacial lakes pose a significant risk of flooding events, capable of unleashing devastation upon the land and its people. Over seven million people live in the shadow of an impending disaster.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Government of Pakistan, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing a comprehensive project to mitigate the risks posed by these glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), helping communities preserve indigenous practices such as glacier grafting, avalanche harvesting, and ice stupas for water conservation in the valleys of the north. The goal is twofold: to safeguard local communities and provide early warnings of potentially catastrophic flood events.

A $1.12 million water tank project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide a safe and climate resilient water supply for schools in Tonga. At the signing of the agreement on 20 March, the Acting CEO for Finance, Ms. Pisila ‘Otunuku, said that the project will ensure the sustainable management of water that is safe, clean, and accessible, especially for children and vulnerable people.

In a world where environmental degradation poses a grave threat to our existence, the urgency for ecosystem restoration has never been more apparent. 

In Uganda, the 7th Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) held from 18 - 22 March 2024, under the theme "Rethinking collective action and innovative solutions to water, environment, and climate change crisis," served as a poignant platform to reflect on the journey of Nyamuhizi Wetland restoration.

Nyamuhizi Wetland, located in Mitooma district, Uganda, stands as an example of the global challenges. Once a flourishing ecosystem, Nyamuhizi endured significant degradation, echoing the plight of many wetlands around the world. However, amidst this despair, there exists a beacon of hope. Through collaborative efforts spearheaded by the government of Uganda and UNDP, supported by funding from the Green Climate Fund, alongside active engagement from local communities, Nyamuhizi is undergoing a remarkable resurgence.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is ramping up efforts to empower farmers and achieve Vision 2030’s goal of becoming a middle-income nation.

The initiative leverages a project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GFC) called “Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa” and focuses on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities, particularly women farmers, in the face of growing climate challenges.

Speaking at a GCF media workshop in Masvingo yesterday Mrs Barbara Machekano, acting Director of communications for the Ministry said they were empowering farmers by expanding irrigation capacity.

The Government of Japan announced a contribution of US$500.000 to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve Moldova’s agriculture’s resilience to climate change and disasters that affect livelihoods.   

“The past few years have been difficult for the farmers all over the world, and particularly for Moldovan farmers which were affected by climate change and droughts, the various types of economic pressure from Russia, and high prices of raw materials also caused by Russia’s war. I can only pay great respect to the way Moldova's farmers and the entire society have managed to cope with such challenges. I feel proud to stand with such brave people. We thank the UNDP and other UN agencies and the Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture for their effective help in implementing this project,” said Yoichiro Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova. 

A workshop in Masvingo, hosted with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, sought to bring together media to strengthen the strategic role of media advocacy on climate proofing agriculture and climate resilient livelihoods.

The workshop included a tour of climate proofed Pikinini Jawanda Irrigation Scheme project in Mwenezi being implemented under the Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa programme. The programme is being implemented and co-funded by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in partnership with Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Natural springs are the lifeblood of Mongolia’s nomadic herders and the livestock, serving as vital sources that sustain crucial ecosystems.

One of the consequences of climate change and drought is the drying up of surface water, leading to insufficient water resources. Protecting natural springs in an environmentally friendly way is an adaptation measure aimed at restoring ecosystems. In order to provide the restoration of degraded natural springs, adaptation measures involving fencing and protecting natural springs in four target provinces are crucial and much needed.

The project 'Improving Adaptive Capacity and Risk Management of Rural Communities in Mongolia' (ADAPT), funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Government of Mongolia with the support of UNDP, has successfully protected the sources of 32 natural springs at 4 targeted provinces during 2022 – 2023, to enhance access to drinking water for both people and livestock.

One of these natural springs is the Huuvur Spring of Dariganga soum – a sub-provincial administrative unit, of Sukhbaatar province. The flow of this spring, serving as a main water source for the local herders and nearby animals, was previously compromised as animals polluted and depleted the water source. To revive the spring, the project undertook the initiative to fence and protect the spring's source in 2022, producing impressive results within just a year. 

The tiny island nation of Tuvalu produces a minuscule amount of pollution but is the nation suffering most from climate change as it sinks into the ground.

The camera is zoomed in on a suited and booted Simon Kofe, Tuvalu's foreign minister, as he addresses COP26 from his country. 

"We must take action today to secure tomorrow," he says, as the shot slowly pans out and reveals that he is standing thigh-high in ocean water.

The Adaptation Initiative for Climate Vulnerable Offshore Small Islands and Riverine Charland in Bangladesh Project, a collaborative effort between the Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was launched on Wednesday with an inception workshop at Charfesson Upazila Parishad in Bhola. 

This five-year project, initiated in January 2023 and funded by the Adaptation Fund through UNDP, aims to significantly enhance climate resilience at both household and community levels. The project encompasses a multifaceted approach to address the diverse challenges posed by climate change, with a focus on vulnerable communities living on coastal islands and riverine chars in Bangladesh.  

In the community of Aguacatal, in the picturesque municipality of Ojojona, in Francisco Morazán, an area that was affected by the barking weevil, one of the most destructive pests for pine forests, lives a group of women who meet periodically to make bread that they then sell in their communities. This allows them to generate decent livelihoods, such as support for their homes, and, in addition, they have learned to take care of and choose the right wood to bake their products, without having to destroy the forests.

In the small bakery, women have learned how to transform flour into delicious seeds, buns, cookies and other delicacies. Also, women have learned about the importance of community organization - as an agent that generates positive changes in their environment - basic knowledge of administration, which they put into practice in their bakery, and to continue taking care of the forests.

Fiji Government representatives, United Nations (UN) agencies and other key stakeholders have convened in Suva to lead an important initiative aimed at strengthening Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Fiji. Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, the core objective of the initiative is to develop a Green Climate Fund (GCF) proposal that will address challenges and improve the effectiveness of Fiji’s EWS.

Despite the acknowledged efficacy of EWS in mitigating disasters, global deficiencies persist, particularly in translating warnings into timely actions. In response to this pressing need, the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative was launched by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2022.

In his opening address, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, the Honorable Sakiasi Ditoka, emphasized the pressing need for Pacific Island Countries to confront the dual challenges of frequent natural hazards and limited risk management capacity. “The Advancing Early Warning for All project is more than just a project; it's a commitment to the safety and well-being of every Fijian. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that our nation is better prepared, more resilient, and capable of thriving in the face of adversity,” Minister Ditoka stated.

A national consultation workshop on the Green and Resilient Debt Platform (GRDP) organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Dhaka has focused on mobilizing debt capital for sustainable initiatives through innovative financial instruments.  

In light of the growing climate crisis and Bangladesh’s national and international commitments on climate actions, there is an escalating need for climate finance.

Despite a global increase in climate finance - to $940 billion in 2021 - there remains a significant gap in reaching the most vulnerable nations. In response, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Nordic Development Fund, in collaboration with UNDP, are launching a multi-country project proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) called the Green and Resilience Debt Platform (GRDP).

The Government of Uganda has officially gazetted all wetlands in the country, recognizing their critical role in protecting communities from climate change and providing essential benefits for millions. This landmark decision is aligned to the Ramsar Convention and comes after years of collaboration between the Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and partners on restoration of wetlands and associated catchments. 

On behalf of the President of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Kasule Lumumba, the Minister for General Duties and focal point minister for the Sustainable Development Goals called upon all leaders at all levels in the country especially the local councils to wake up and protect all wetlands.

Through the Green Climate Fund-funded project "Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda", UNDP has played a pivotal role in revitalizing these fragile ecosystems. The project has empowered communities surrounding the wetlands especially women, girls and youth with alternative livelihood and economic opportunities, while simultaneously enhancing the technical capacity of relevant institutions under the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and selected District Local Governments.

French organisation, Association la Voûte Nubienne (AVN), has enabled the construction of over 7,000 of ‘Nubian vault’ climate-friendly houses in Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Ghana and Benin since the year 2000, using the 3000 year-old Nubian Vault traditional technique originating in Upper-Egypt.

Anne-Cécile Ragot, the project lead at AVN, says every one of these arched homes built in the Sahel saves on the carbon emissions usually associated with construction and indoor cooling. A few years ago, Ragot and her team began wondering if they could use this fact to scale up construction: could the carbon savings from one family’s Nubian Vault fund the construction of another?

They managed to secure support from the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) to answer this question. AFCIA grants are intended to help accelerate innovative technologies, practices and business models for local adaptation, by tapping into the incredible potential of NGOs, civil society, women and young innovators.

“Climate justice means providing a safe environment now for people, and for action now and not later. Scientists have predicted Tuvalu will be uninhabitable by 2050. This is why we are advocating for social justice alongside climate justice,” says Teresa Lifuka-Drecala.

Under the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project, implemented by UNDP and financed by the Green Climate Fund, 7.3 hectares of new, raised land has been installed in the Tuvalu capital of Funafuti, providing flood-free areas for island communities. Now, plans are underway to safeguard the long-term future of the island, with barriers stretching 665 meters along the coast on the outer island of Nanumaga and 1,330-meters on the island of Nanumea.  

These “Berm Top Barriers” consist of bags filled with local sand and water, revegetated to fit in with the natural environment. The barriers will protect communities from salt intrusion in food and water, and from large cyclone events and waves overtopping road infrastructure and buildings.  

The vision is not only to protect the island, but the community and wider identity of the people of Tuvalu.  

The costs of transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future are immense (although it the cost of inaction is even greater) and governments alone are unable to shoulder them. It is estimated that the agriculture and land use sectors alone require 26 times more than current levels of funding.

Until now however, the private sector has not been fully engaged in climate action, and especially in climate adaptation. Shovon Kibria, Private Sector Engagement Specialist at UNDP outlines four key reasons, as well as how the challenges can be turned into opportunities, and promising examples of progress.

In a pivotal moment for countries supported by UNDP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved US$208 million in finance to fast-track global action on nature and biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution control.

The funding will be deployed by UNDP to 20 countries, including eight Fragile States, seven Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and two Small Island Development States (SIDS), to tackle urgent and complex environmental challenges in a holistic way.

The new funds, overseen by UNDP, are anticipated to benefit over five million people –with a special focus on vulnerable populations– and to crowd in additional financing. Alongside the GEF, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations and local communities, UNDP will focus on aiding countries to curb coastal pollution, transform food systems, and bolster wildlife and biodiversity conservation efforts.