Adaptation action for climate change to be accelerated in South Asia

FE Team | Published: October 06, 2020 23:30:37

The South Asian Regional Center of Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) in Dhaka will play a role in scaling up and accelerating the action of adaptation in the region as South Asia is the most vulnerable to climate change, reports UNB.
"If you want to scale up and accelerate adaptation action, it's extremely important that we learn what's working and what is not working," said Patrick V Verkooijen, the CEO of Global Centre on Adaptation (CGA).
He said a lot of adaptation action is already happening in the whole region, particularly Bangladesh.
Patrick said their strong focus will be on replication of best practices with intervention in the region through success stories.
"We'll be sharing our expertise and experiences through GCA. I hope when we'll show those successful examples, other partners will come forward," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momensaid.
Asked whether Bangladesh sees any genuine commitment from the international community on the climate front and help address challenges in the region, he said, "Of course, I see but it's limited."
DrMomen said the GCA Centre in Dhaka itself is a support and there are commitments that many other countries will come forward. "Bangladesh has done an excellent job alone."
According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019, the countries in South Asia are among the most vulnerable globally to the impacts of climate change.
Bangladesh was the first country in the world to create a National Adaptation Programme of Action and is the current Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and Vulnerable Group of Twenty (V20) Ministers of Finance.
Seeking help from all, including the media, the foreign minister said they have to carry out a campaign to that end.
Patrick said they are very keen to work with governments, partners and development partners in the region to really align with their efforts.
Regarding global commitment and support, he said there is support like the Dutch government but much more is required from the international community as a whole to support and help address the very urgent challenges for the years to come.
Bangladesh described the recently opened South Asian Regional Center of Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) in Dhaka as a milestone for international partnership.
Bangladesh says it is ready to share its experiences and best practices regarding adaptation and disaster management.The country has already formulated 82- yearlong "Delta Plan 2100" which is a living test case for all the deltas of the world.
Almost half a million people perished during a devastating cyclone in 1970.
"But due to our cyclone and Disaster Preparedness progress in 2009, although we faced similar devastating cyclone and tidal waves, only 190 people died," said the foreign minister.
Bangladesh hopes to receive necessary support from the international development partners in its efforts as it is very easy to achieve and demonstrate climate resilience successes in this region.
The regional office will work with support from South Asian governments, city mayors, business leaders, investors, communities and civil society in accelerating and scaling effective adaptation solutions to tackle the climate emergency.
Ban Ki-moon said Bangladesh is a striking example of how vulnerable communities can be the most innovative in adapting to climate change."Through GCA Bangladesh the valuable lessons it has learnt will help the rest of the world adapt to our new climate reality," he said.