Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (25 January) announced a new international coalition to tackle the impacts of climate change. The news has been covered by Reuters and France24, among other outlets.
At the Netherlands-hosted Climate Adaptation Summit – the first global summit focused solely on adaptation and resilience – the Prime Minister launched the Adaptation Action Coalition.
Developed by the UK in partnership with Egypt, Bangladesh, Malawi, the Netherlands, Saint Lucia and the United Nations, it will help developed and developing countries share knowledge and best practice on local, regional and global solutions to dealing with climate change.
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and UK Commissioner to the Global Commission, will be speaking at two events at the Summit. She will discuss, among other things, how cities can invest in nature-based solutions to tackle the impact of climate change.
Today’s Summit follows significant flooding across the country last week. We know that the climate emergency is bringing more intense rainfall events, which is why local communities are vital in the response.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
It is undeniable that climate change is already upon us and is already devastating lives and economies. We must adapt to our changing climate, and we must do so now.
I’ll be making the need for a resilient recovery a priority of the UK’s G7 presidency this year. To make sure we get not just warm words but real change, I am today launching an all-new Adaptation Action Coalition to set the agenda ahead of COP26.
Let’s work together to adapt, to become more resilient, and to save lives and livelihoods all around the world.
UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation Emma Howard Boyd said:
Last week, flood defences protected tens of thousands of people in England from record river levels during Storm Christoph. Investments in flood protections help economic development and also improve health and wellbeing by enhancing green and blue spaces.
The Environment Agency, Government and local partners have a lot of expertise to share with the world, and we also have a lot to learn. International collaboration, as championed by this coalition, is vital.