The world’s first global stocktake is considered the central outcome of COP 28 and can now be used by countries to develop stronger climate action plans, which are due in 2025. It offers a stark assessment of the current state of global climate action and the urgent need to increase efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. To achieve the Paris Agreement's targets, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to be cut by around 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 from 2019 levels, aiming for net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This calls for transformative change across all sectors and implementing both supply- and demand-side measures. In assessing collective progress, many countries recognized that adaptation was no longer a matter of choice, but a matter of urgency in the face of intensifying climate impacts, particularly for communities least equipped to handle them. “…the vital importance of protecting, conserving, restoring and sustainably using nature and ecosystems for effective and sustainable climate action” is underlined in the GST report.
Climate change is a threat to equitable and sustainable development. Adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development are inextricably connected, with potential for synergies and trade-offs. There is increasing recognition in the scientific literature, including IPCC reports, that choosing and implementing adaptation and mitigation options in a manner that increases synergies and avoids tradeoffs is feasible. There is a need to explore further this innovative approach to achieve climate resilience more effectively. Identifying these opportunities can lead to better understanding, avoiding trade-offs and developing policy measures and financing mechanisms that are mutually reinforcing. Within this background, ESCAP is undertaking a Scoping Study titled “Addressing Climate Change Through Integrated Responses: Linking adaptation and mitigation”. A survey was undertaken to identify experiences and lessons learned of Member States, development partners and stakeholders.
This Expert Group Meeting will build on the analysis of the received responses and delve deeper to gain insights on the status of a portfolio of adaptation and mitigation actions to promote synergies:
· Technological, institutional and behavioral options to coordinate, build and use capacity for integrated adaptation and mitigation
· The economic, financial and policy instruments as the enabling conditions for linking adaptation and mitigation actions and to encourage the use of these options
· Stakeholder engagement to support implementation of the options by identifying barriers and challenges and coming up with solutions to support implementation of this approach
· Available research and development to enhance the options’ effectiveness and efficiency to foster adaptation-mitigation linkages in the implementation plans.
More information, please visit Expert Group Meeting on Addressing Climate Change Through Integrated Approaches: Linking Adaptation and Mitigation | ESCAP (unescap.org).
