New International Panel Supports Deltas in Accelerating Climate Adaptation Action
A
new initiative to accelerate climate adaptation called the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas (IPDC) will be launched at the UN Water Conference, which will take place from 22nd to 24th March 2023 in New York. This new initiative will focus on solutions that increase water security, adaptive capacity and sustainability. The IPDC is an initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands supported in its founding phase by Deltares, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), and the Delta Alliance.
IPDC aims to support deltas, coastal areas and islands in their efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to enhance the resilience of their valuable ecosystems, livelihoods and economic assets, amidst other social challenges related to food security, biodiversity and energy supply.
First stop: COP27
To spur international coordination to enhance resilience, the Netherlands set up the Champions Group for Deltas and Coastal Areas, which was introduced at COP27. The Champions are a group of countries facing huge challenges due to climate change, resulting in the need for large climate adaptation investments. Countries that are part of the Champions Group have agreed to share their knowledge and experience, allowing them to better and more quickly adapt to the changing climate.
First members of the Champions Group for Deltas and Coasts at COP27 (Source: IPDC)
The Champions Group is one of the three pillars of the IPDC:
- The policy and finance layer: the Champions Group consisting of High-Level Leaders for political and financial commitment and leadership
- The science layer: the International Expert Panel consisting of Top-level Scientists and Adaptation Experts linking shared knowledge to local planning and implementation needs
- The implementation layer: the Action Holders consisting of Knowledge Networks and Implementation Agencies working with the international experts to support accelerated actions on the ground
Ambitions and Outputs
The IPDC will provide demand driven and technical assistance, capacity building, evidence based and tailored guidance on topics such as risk and data management, effective planning, governance and finance with the help of global science, expertise, and good practice. This will be available to partners to the IPDC including national and local governments who are connected to the IPDC.
Key outputs will be:
- A flagship bi-annual assessment report. The IPDC will work to develop key facts and data in a presentable format as an important reference point for sustainable and resilient development of deltas, coastal zones, and small islands.
- A bi-annual conference, convening the main experts and champions to shape the action agenda, announce important events, and initiatives to exchange knowledge and network.
- Climate adaptation advisory services addressing their requirements and needs.
- The IPDC will work to support commitments to the Water Action Agenda with a stepping stone at the UN 2023 Water Conference, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes supporting accelerated implementation and improved impact towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 and other water-related goals and targets.
The UN Water Conference in New York is co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Tajikistan.
This news item was originally published on the website of the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas
