Paris, 2 December 2015 (ClimDev-Africa) - An appeal has been launched at COP 21, during a session on financing of adaptation to climate change in Africa organized by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
"The conclusion is clear. There is a real need for funding of local communities, as they account for between 60 and 70% of the African population," said an expert, speaking to more than a hundred participants in the session. According to him, investing in today's climate goes beyond mere speculation.
Luc Gnacadja, a former head of the UNCCD noted that financing climate in Africa is key to tackling the challenge of adaptation to climate change. However, he said, the means of implementation of adaptation to climate change must be made available to local communities, municipalities and regional and local authorities.
Mr. Gnacadja added that when it comes to adaptation and resilience, it is aimed primarily at the national and local governance. "We need these resources in the communes in a well planned manner so that mayors can use them fairly," he stressed.
According to the World Bank, the cost of adaptation to climate change in developing countries is significant. Developed countries have pledged to increase their support for adaptation in developing countries, particularly those that are the least responsible for climate change but are paying the price. Developed countries have announced to date a total of $ 3 billion for multilateral funds dedicated to adaptation. Most of the funds approved for the benefit of adaptation projects come from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience of (PPCR) under the Climate Investment Funds of the World Bank. Another important part comes from the Fund for the least developed countries (FPMA), which is administered by the Global Environment Facility. The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and Adaptation Fund (AF) have also increased their funding dedicated to adaptation since last year. There is also a new initiative dedicated to Adaptation: Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP), hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and with a budget of $ 353 million.
Critiques however note that developed country contributions to these funds remain less than optimal and, globally, adaptation remains underfunded.
In terms of key actors in Africa in this regard, there is ClimDev-Africa Programme is an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (ADBThe program was established to ensure a solid foundation on Africa's response to climate change, and works closely with other African institutions and non-African partners and specialized in the field of climate and development.
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