Development & Climate Days showcase experiences of adaptation Practitioners from LDCF and SCCF Projects

Saturday November 16^th, Polonia Palace Hotel – Warsaw. Not far from the Climate Change Conference venue in Warsaw (COP 19), the annual COP Development and Climate Days event was hosted at Polonia Palace Hotel.  This year’s theme focused on “innovative approaches, incisive dialogue on climate-smart development”, and provided a highly interactive opportunity for adaptation learning and for practitioners to showcase their experiences in the field. The event was organized in joint collaboration with the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center (RCCC).

During the opening session, Senior Climate Change Specialist Rawleston Moore, reminded participants to keep in mind the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation action. “Are the challenges that we face today the new normal?” he questioned. “This is why adaptation to climate change is important.” He concluded his statements by describing the GEF’s efforts to finance concrete adaptation projects, through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), in the most vulnerable countries.  

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Rawleston Moore (GEF) providing opening remarks

Following, Roland Sundstrom (GEF) facilitated a “Lightning talks” session, where practitioners led table discussions, and (in line with their expertise) provided overviews on a wide range of  adaptation practices, including: country experiences in implementing NAPA priorities, gender mainstreaming, health, approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation, and climate risk insurance. Following the Lightning Talks, Pablo Suarez (RCCC) led a game session that paired participants into farmer-and-scientist teams from different countries, as to gain some insight into the instabilities that underlie processes and negotiations on loss and damage.

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Adaptation Practitioners describing their topics for “Lightning Talks”

During the afternoon, adaptation practitioners shared presentations on LDCF/SCCF projects in Afghanistan, Niger, Uruguay, Guinea and Ethiopia, with group discussions following. The day concluded with high-level panel discussion between Mary Robinson (Mary Robinson Foundation), Rawleston Moore (GEF) and Saleem Huq (IIED).   “We have to act now not to repeat the avoidable; we have to achieve non-repetition of injustice. But there is not enough discourse in the media about the urgent need for the world to get a fair and robust climate agreement", said Mary Robinson in conclusion.

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Mary Robinson with GEF Adaptation Team

Click here for the ENB report and pictures

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