UNDRR at COP28

Already, catastrophic climate disasters are hitting all regions of the globe, with devastating events across 2023, including shattering floods in Libya and unprecedented wildfire losses in Hawaii. Record heatwaves, droughts and extreme weather continue to smash new records with unspeakable tragedies in real lives lost and livelihoods destroyed.

This comes in the context of an 80 percent increase in the number of people affected by disasters since 2005, as shown by the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (MTR SF). If countries continue to neglect risks, then by 2030, the global number of disasters per year is expected to hit around 560 per year – or 1.5 medium- to large-scale disasters per day. 

Better data for evidence-based planning and action

We cannot manage what we cannot measure. Limited risk knowledge has been highlighted as a clear impediment to achieving Early Warnings for All. With climate action increasingly getting translated into concrete planning and implementation, there is a clear need to have a better understanding of historical and potential losses and damages, and current and future risks. Knowledge gaps in slow-onset events, non-economic losses, and the cost of disasters need to be well understood and addressed, including through better data disaggregation. 

• We call for universal availability of and access to high-quality data to strengthen risk knowledge for informed climate action.

Integrated policy frameworks through effective comprehensive risk management 

A key finding of the MTR SF is the siloed approach to planning at national and local levels, particularly with respect to development, climate change and disaster risk reduction. This not only fractures the potential for enhanced resilience, but also can amplify risks. The culmination of the first GST should build on the outcomes of the MTR SF but also encourage and support more integrated planning and implementation within countries. The means of implementation, in particular, financing mechanisms, should likewise be facilitative of such integrated approaches. 

Comprehensive (disaster and climate) risk management promotes integrated planning, implementation and financing that identifies actions to reduce climate-related disaster risks and reach the most vulnerable.    

• We call on national and local governments to scale-up the development and implementation of integrated plans for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation through a comprehensive risk management approach

Reformed financial systems

Despite the mounting direct and indirect economic impacts of climate-related disasters, financing remains heavily focused on reactive measures to finance post-disaster response and recovery, such as contingency funds and insurance. However, increasing investment in risk prevention and climate resilience is critical to break the vicious cycle of disaster > response > recovery > repeat. Yet, this requires changing the rules of the game of the financial system to further mobilize public, private, and international financial flows. 

Scaling up private investment is achievable, for instance, if risk disclosure requirements for companies are improved and standards for dedicated capital market instruments are developed (e.g., resilience taxonomies). Meanwhile, regulators can initiate reforms that ensure climate-related risks are accounted for and priced in investment decisions, such as credit decisions from commercial banks. International finance institutions also need to step up their actions on climate adaptation and create collaboration opportunities through lending, debt support, and grants, particularly for countries facing the most severe economic challenges. 

• We call on Parties to partner with the private sector to scale up investment in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience and promote the development of innovative financing instruments and tools (e.g., resilience bonds and debt suspension clauses).
• We call on Parties to request financial authorities to integrate climate risks into their work, mainstream disaster risk reduction measures in multilateral and bilateral development assistance programmes, and reform international financial institutions to better address climate-related risks.

Inclusive local action and community leadership

Challenge and opportunities in terms of climate action are increasingly urban. Effective solutions are embracing more inclusive approaches that pulls together different agendas, institutions and implementing partners, and stakeholders. These approaches need to leverage local government leadership and capacity on the ground as well as global partnerships, such as Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) , to scale up ambition and action.

• We call on Parties to increase the volume of devolved and decentralized funding provided to local governments and community-led local resilience solutions.
• We call on Parties and all stakeholders to act upon the recommendations of the Dubai Call for Action: Scaling Up Urban Resilience for a Changing Climate

People are affected differently by disasters so we must empower and include local actors, especially community-based organizations, in the development and implementation of national and local strategies to effectively avert, minimize and address losses and damages.

• We call on climate finance providers to make flexible resourcing mechanisms available to non-governmental stakeholders to enable the full and meaningful participation in resilience building of all stakeholders, particularly those traditionally excluded from decision-making.
• We reiterate the UN Secretary-General’s call for climate justice for all, directing resources to those highly vulnerable countries facing climate impacts that cannot be mitigated.