03/11/2020 - An insightful session on the Road to the Climate Adaptation Summit

Last year, the Global Comission on Adaptation published its flagship report ‘Adapt Now: A Global Call For Leadership on Climate Resilience’, identifying two important barriers: both vulnerable communities and climate risks are not integrated into decision making. On the Road to the Climate Adaptation Summit, 2020 is not only the year to celebrate the 5 years progress on the global frameworks (Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda); it is also the year of adaptation to catalyse action and ambition. On Thursday October 22, Partners for Resilience organized a session on the Road to the Climate Adaptation Summit: "what change do we need, to integrate the adaptation needs of vulnerable communities?"

‘On the Road to CAS’ is a series of interactive webinars focusing on how the Netherlands is adapting to climate change, with specific attention to Nature-Based Solutions. While the other sessions of the event mainly focused on adaptation efforts in the Netherlands, PfR broadened the focus to ‘look beyond our dikes’, and brought different perspectives on the change we need to better integrate vulnerable communities. Examples of good practice that exist were shared, as well as suggestions on what leverage we have to scale these practices and accelerate change. This has been guaranteed with a wide-range of perspectives brought together by two diverse panels.

A special thanks to our cartoonists Rebeka Ryvola; Felipe Galindo; Khalid Albaih. Watch the cartoons here.

The opening remarks were done by Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Environmental & Indigenous Activist, Association of Peul Women and Autochtonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT). Among others she mentioned the following: "Increasing poverty, hunger, and conflict is what is happening in the world  right now. We need action and we need it now! We need to use indigenuous knowledge, combined with the latest science”. 

Our co-moderators Ms. Thandie Mwape online (Partners for Resilience Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator) and Ms. Fleur Monasso (capacity Strengthening and Partnerships Manager at Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre) from the studio in Amsterdam ensured all speakers had a chance to contribute to the discussion and to share their thoughts. In addition, with the creative hands of cartoonists, visual humour to confront risks was brought to the event - reflecting on what has been said and its implications. 

PfR will use the rich (creative) inputs of the panellists and cartoonists to continue advocating to approach risk in an inclusive and holistic manner. Critical reflection and meaningful dialogue are key to strengthen resilience of vulnerable communities. 

Special thanks to the ‘’Road to CAS’’ organisation and to our panelists:

• Mr. Sven Harmeling, Global Policy Lead Climate Change and Resilience, CARE International
• Mr. Gonzalo Munoz, High Level Climate Champion, Chile
• Ms. Zeituna Roba Tullu, PfR Country Coordinator for Kenya, Cordaid
• Mr. Pablo Vieira, Global Director, NDC Partnership Support Unit
• Ms. Tina Birmpili, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
• Ms Jane Madgwick, CEO Wetlands International
• Mr. David Stevens, Head of the Bonn Office of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Mr. Piet de Wildt, Lead Negotiator on climate adaptation, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, The Netherlands

Missed the event? It has been recorded and you can watch the session on CASTV