The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) based in Canada has announced the launch of a new project aimed at enhancing the capacity of researchers and policymakers in the Global South to address losses caused by climate change.
With a budget of CAD1.5 million (US$1.1 million), the project aims to develop policies and implementation mechanisms to tackle loss and damage at the national level in four highly vulnerable countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Senegal, and Vanuatu. An additional five countries - Antigua and Barbuda, Burkina Faso, the Maldives, Mozambique, and Pakistan - will also benefit from the data generated by the project.
Climate change has emerged as one of the most critical threats to humanity, with loss and damage becoming a pressing issue. At the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), governments worldwide agreed to establish new funding arrangements and a dedicated fund to assist developing countries in addressing loss and damage.
The IDRC-supported project aims to bridge the knowledge and capacity gaps among vulnerable nations, empowering them to effectively respond to loss and damage through national and international financing opportunities.
The project is being led by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in collaboration with the Institute for Study and Development Worldwide. It was initially launched at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, in November 2022 and was officially inaugurated in Canada on May 8. The research will initially focus on the aforementioned four countries, aiming to generate local evidence to inform global negotiations. The findings from the project's local case studies and participatory research in the Global South will also contribute to international loss-and-damage policy processes, enriching discussions and strategies.
With the establishment of a global fund for loss and damage, governments and stakeholders can collaborate to provide support to countries facing these challenges. The research supported by IDRC will play a crucial role in helping these countries develop and implement effective strategies to address the loss and damage associated with climate change. The IDRC-supported project marks a significant step forward in addressing the climate change challenges faced by vulnerable nations.
Article by RB Correspodent
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