Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
The program facilitates implementation of the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in November 2016; marking a new era of climate action that will put the world on a path to eliminating carbon from the global economy by the second half of the century. Taking action on climate change means adopting and implementing ambitious programs to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to levels compatible with the well-being of the ecosphere, while supporting communities around the world to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of the climatic changes that are already being observed. It also means embracing the potential of the green economy – a more sustainable way of life that balances economic, social, and environmental priorities.
GCDF is involved in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of ways including promoting greater energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, as well as building more sustainable urban transport. Since land, forests, and oceans store carbon, GCDF also adopts smarter ways to preserve and restore these “carbon sinks.” Climate change and natural disasters are already affecting weather patterns, water resources, crop yields, and marine ecosystems hitting hardest among those already suffering from poverty and exclusion.
Reducing the risk of disaster and planning for future climate change is essential for truly sustainable development. At the same time, climate change places compounded stress on the environment, as well as on economic, social and political systems. Increasingly, policymakers recognize the need to integrate climate-resilient strategies into long-term development programs.
Whether it comes in the form of extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods, or just regular events such as unpredictable weather patterns and shifting seasons. Climate change undermines development gains and leads to shortages in basic necessities among poor people. These circumstances lead to worsening hunger and poverty and where poverty is seen as an underlying risk, the climate becomes either a magnifier and in many cases a multiplier, of existing underlying causes of risk and increasing dependence of communities on humanitarian aid. Among many of the rural communities where GCDF works, majority rely on agriculture and natural resources to survive. For these people, the effects of climate change — limited water and food sources and increased competition for them — are a critical matter. As a result, considering the challenges each community is facing, and then developing localized solutions that will make the biggest impact remains a big challenge.
GCDF has an opportunity to broaden its approach in this area by strengthening the capacity of communities to have a voice in decision making in relation to planning and design of conservation initiatives affecting them and also assist such communities to adjust to the vagaries of climate variability.
