Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group, representing 46 of the poorest countries that are most vulnerable to climate change while being least responsible for it, comments on the Working Group II report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Our vulnerabilities are laid bare in this report. The science is telling us we are already reaching the limits of what we can adapt to at 1.1°C. At 1.5°C we know we will lose more still. The world must pursue both mitigation and adaptation at speeds and scales beyond what we have seen.
This requires cooperation at a global scale.
I point to the multiple references that emphasise the need for dedicated and accessible finance for successful adaptation measures. Here we know more can and must be done. It was confirmed last year that developed countries failed in their commitment to deliver $100 billion in climate finance by 2020. The short fall must be made up urgently, to support our people to adapt to the worsening impacts the report confirms are coming.
The report is clear that there is no climate resilient development for vulnerable countries above 1.5°C. Our very survival is at stake. Adaptation has its limits, and climate change impacts are already outstripping efforts to adapt, resulting in loss and damage.
On loss and damage, the science confirms what we are already seeing: climate change is causing irreversible harm to our people and their homes. It is stripping away livelihoods and causing devastation to the most vulnerable communities.
The least developed countries are disproportionately affected. Just this month Cyclone Batsirai devastated Madagascar, killing more than 120 people and leaving 30,000 displaced. Loss and damage cannot be ignored, and we as a group will continue pushing for dedicated finance.
What country can say they are doing enough? In Glasgow all countries agreed to revisit 2030 targets this year in an effort to bridge the gap between what is being done and what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C.
It’s time for world leaders, especially the G20, to deliver on their promises.
