The future is now for climate finance
Globally influential figures will put their heads together at a Glasgow Caledonian University event in a bid to identify how the lives of the poorest and vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by climate change, can be made better.
Facilitated by the University’s Centre for Climate Justice, former Irish President Mary Robinson will be joined by other high-profile guests, to look specifically at how climate finance can be “strengthened” to ensure “fair and equitable” distribution for all.
The online discussion will form key recommendations that will shape the agenda at COP 26, scheduled to take place in Glasgow next year.
The event is part of the UK Government’s contribution to the Race to Zero global campaign, designed to mobilise renewed levels of leadership from businesses, cities, regions and nations to spur a zero-carbon recovery and more national governments to set net-zero targets.
Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of GCU’s Centre for Climate Justice, is leading the event.
She said: “Around the world, communities are experiencing the effects of climate change in different ways, but to tackle climate change, we all have a role to play in Scotland in reducing our carbon emissions and our contribution to tackling global warming. We need to recognise that we must build resilience in a fair and equitable way that matches climate finance with climate needs – especially for the most vulnerable.
“While climate financing is reaching new highs, it is still significantly lower than what is needed. New mechanisms and sources of climate finance are urgently required to redress this shortfall. This event will discuss how the current state of climate finance can be strengthened to support transformational impact and increase resilience for all in the race to zero.
“For example, 60 per cent of Africa’s population resides in rural areas where many women farmers and young people are leading and driving change. Designing future climate-finance programmes must deliberately and unequivocally embrace and harness these leaders and drive investment towards supporting innovation, building capacity and resilience.”
Other speakers taking part in the event are Gareth Phillips, Manager Climate and Environment Finance Division, African Development Bank; Salina Sanou, Head of Programmes, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance; and Stephen Kansuk, Lead Focal point for Climate Change and Finance, United Nations Development Programme, Ghana Office.
Professor Jafry will also lead an online World Health Organization session on November 9, which will explore co-operation between policy and financial players while looking towards a health and climate resilient future.