Parallel Session 10.3: LIFE-AR and LTS initiative (LDC Group)

Introduction

As climate disasters increase in number and intensity, LDCs continue to suffer significant and detrimental effects on their economies, societies and environment. The IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5 confirmed what they are already experiencing – for LDCs, climate change has already moved from science to reality and it is a struggle to deal with its impacts. Nevertheless, LDCs are committed to finding more solutions to protect communities and economies.

The LDC Group has developed several initiatives to support the transition towards a climate resilient future. These initiatives focus on several key areas central to LDCs, including access to renewable energy, effective adaptation, resilience and development. Each of these initiatives aim to build upon each other, harnessing synergies and complementing work at international, national and local level.

Message

The world’s least developed countries, whilst contributing the least to climate change, suffer the most from its effects. Yet, LDCs are some of the most ambitious countries in the fight against climate change and have become innovative in their approaches.

By leading on initiatives, such as the LDC Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) and the development of Long-Term Strategies, LDCs taking up the mantle as ambitious climate leaders and are showing the world they are serious about implementing the Paris Agreement. In so doing, LDCs also identify drivers for success including pro-poor and gender responsive approaches.

To do so, they are putting emphasis on local, on-the ground-action and establishing funding mechanisms, innovative and bold thinking on solutions, and piloting mainstreaming. Business-as-usual climate finance does not work for LDCs, and there are numerous projects underway to get money to where it matters and to delivery transformation at scale.

Objectives

• To test and develop the LDCs’ ideas for expressing their ambition and the innovative interventions to support delivering this ambition as a clear statement of their leadership in delivering the SDGs in a climate changed world;
• To share information on how the LDC group is developing an ask of the international community and offer of political leadership and innovating in effective mechanisms to deliver their ambition.

This is in preparation for the UNSG Climate Summit and to support updating NDCs and developing long term low carbon, climate resilient development strategies and NAPs, recognising the unprecedented challenges they face to develop in a climate changed world and in support of their unparalleled leadership on climate.

Draft agenda

• Presentation on LDC Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience – Mr. Binyam Yakob, On Behalf of the LDC Chair (15 min)
• Panellists – Facilitator Mr. Giza Gaspar Martins ,Angola, Previous Chair to the LDC Group ( 30 min)
  • What are the challenges we are facing in getting adaptation to real scale?
  • What are the challenges LDC countries face in accessing finance for adaptation?
  • Where do you see LDC’s in 2050

(Speakers: Ms. Cecilia Silva, Angola; Mr. Benjamin Karmorh,  Liberia; Mr. Bemnet Teshome, Ethiopia; Mr. Payai John, South Sudan)

• Plenary Discussion – Facilitator Mr. Giza Gaspar Martins ,Angola, Previous Chair to the LDC Group (30 min) – This would be followed by an open discussion exploring questions around:
  • What are the challenges we are facing in getting adaptation to real scale?
  • What have we learnt from NAPAs, NAPs and adaptation projects and the challenge of accessing global climate funds?
  • What have been effective and scalable approaches? Why did this work? how can partners help LDCs develop these types of interventions?
• Closing (5 min)