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Climate Action
News article16 October 2018Directorate-General for Climate Action

Global Commission on Adaptation launched in The Hague

A new Global Commission on Adaptation, aimed at enhancing the political visibility of adapting to climate change, was officially launched today at a high-level event in The Hague.

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A new Global Commission on Adaptation, aimed at enhancing the political visibility of adapting to climate change, was officially launched today at a high-level event in The Hague.

The Global Commission, an unprecedented and timely international initiative on adaptation, will also focus on solutions, catalysing the global adaptation movement and accelerating action. It will be overseen by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates and World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva.

Today’s launch event was opened by the Netherlands’ Prime Minster Mark Rutte and saw the participation of an impressive number of high-level representatives of countries and international organisations from across the world.

The Global Commission on Adaptation intends to demonstrate that adapting to climate change is not only necessary, but also improves human well-being and leads to better and more sustainable economic development and security. And moreover, that the costs of adapting are lower than those economies will face if they continue with a business-as-usual approach.

It also aims to help accelerate adaptation action in seven areas, namely: climate-resilient food and rural livelihood security; resilient cities; ecosystem-based solutions; adaptation finance; resilient global supply chains; climate resilient infrastructure; and climate-resilient social protection. Special attention will go on ensuring that adaptation action and support reaches the most vulnerable.

The Global Commission on Adaptation will also present a report at a major UN Climate Summit in September 2019, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. This report will set out why adapting to climate risks is essential, what new actions need to be taken and what must be done differently, and how we can start working now to make the world a safer and better place.

The Global Commission also intends to work in support of the process of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The European Commission intends to work closely with the Global Commission on Adaptation. The EU adopted an adaptation strategy in 2013, to help make Europe more climate-resilient and support all EU Member States to prepare for and respond to climate change impacts. The Commission is currently finalising an evaluation of the EU strategy, assessing its implementation and performance.

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Publication date
16 October 2018
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action