A new draft text on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) was introduced by the COP28 Presidency on the morning of December 10. The text is weaker than the earlier draft not only on the means of implementation (MOI) from developed countries to developing countries but also on thematic targets such as ecosystems.
For instance, the earlier target around ecosystems said: ‘Ensuring that at least 30% of ecosystems are maintained, enhanced or restored, including through ecosystem restoration and enhancing ecosystem services.’
In the current draft, the 30 per cent figure has been removed. This makes it a theme rather than a target.
The new draft is also without strong language on means of implementation, especially adaptation finance gap and target and no resolution of the inclusion of the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
While there are targets for all parts of the adaptation cycle — Impact, vulnerability and risk assessment; Planning; Implementation; Monitoring, evaluation and learning — there is no target for means of implementation, especially finance which is needed to achieve the above targets.
The earlier text had a figure of $400 billion per year till 2030, which has now been removed. If the new GGA text is adopted in COP28, that would force more than 195 countries to take a ‘Risk and Vulnerability Assessment’ of climate hazards and formulate their national adaptation plan by 2025.
On December 10, India told the UN Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) that the country has spent about Rs 13.35 lakh crore in 2021-22, just over 5.5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product, on climate adaptation.
India also expects to incur another Rs 57 lakh crore till 2030 for the same in a business-as-usual scenario.
The climate adaptation process in India is heavily reliant on domestic resources as the funds promised by the developed countries fall far too short of the requirements. As the new GGA draft is set to be further negotiated, developing country groups feel that the GGA framework would fail without an assurance on adaptation finance.
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