Ambitious climate adaptation finance commitments must be agreed at COP30

“Communities are struggling for their very existence,” Concern Worldwide’s Climate Resilience Advocacy Advisor Laura Bahlman said. “From countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malawi experiencing recurrent flooding, to Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia facing repeated droughts, these communities need to see the commitment of wealthier countries at COP to ensure they are able to adapt, survive and transition.” 

As the world’s leaders gather in Brazil ahead of COP30, which begins on November 10 in Belém, Ms Bahlman noted that just over a third of countries had submitted their latest plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. These were originally due in February to give the UN time to assess the quality of their commitments to ensure global temperatures do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.  

“We are not seeing the level of urgency or the scale of commitment needed to address the climate crisis,” she warned. “The wealthier countries, which have contributed most to climate change, must commit sufficient funding at Belém to enable lower income countries adapt and protect their futures.  We then need to see those commitments delivered upon.” 

This COP is critical for adaptation finance, she said. The adaptation finance commitments made in 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow expire this year.  “At a time when a number of high-income countries are cutting their overseas aid budgets, it’s vital we see an ambitious step up in delivering adaptation finance and a renewed commitment to this,” said Ms Bahlman.  

Climate adaptation refers to a range of interventions – from climate smart agriculture (including more drought and salt water resistant crops) to flood protection measures.  

“Concern is successfully implementing adaptation and resilience programmes in countries around the world, supporting communities living in increasingly challenging environments. More adaptation finance is needed to enable impacted communities’ transition,” she said. 

For example, Concern is working in Pakistan which is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, with floods and heatwaves annually impacting millions of people in rural and low-lying communities, eroding livelihoods and deepening poverty.  

The 2022 floods – the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s recorded history -- affected 33 million people, one-third of the population, killing over 1,700, and displacing eight million. It caused $30 billion in damages, including 1.2 million livestock lost and vast farmlands ruined. 

As communities were recovering, they were hit by flash floods in 2024 which claimed 306 lives and damaged 20,600 homes. Earlier this year, monsoon rains, fuelled by northern cloudbursts and upstream releases into the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, inundated eight Punjab districts, affecting 3.9 million people, forcing 1.9 million from their homes, and spilling into Sindh, displacing a further 100,000 and destroying crops and livestock. 

“Concern Worldwide’s climate adaptation work in Pakistan focuses on helping communities move from crisis response toward long-term resilience in the face of worsening floods, heatwaves, droughts, and erratic rainfall,” said Concern’s Senior Technical Advisor for Livelihoods, Shafqat Ullah.  

“Adaptation in Pakistan focuses on strengthening local systems through climate-smart agriculture, nature-based solutions, early warning and anticipatory actions, and safer water access.”   

The early warning system, with the support of Pakistan Meteorological department, shares early warning information with the local communities to help them with early actions to reduce crop losses and stabilise incomes.  

“While climate adaptation cannot prevent flooding, these measures have significantly reduced the impact of floods by improving preparedness and helping people protect homes, livestock, and livelihoods,” Mr Ullah said.  

In 2024 flood-affected districts, Concern supported the vulnerable communities with installation of solar-powered water systems and hygiene support which improved access to clean water and reduced waterborne diseases.  

“Overall, Concern’s work is helping reduce climate-related losses, strengthen community decision-making, and promote safe, sustainable livelihoods,” Mr Ullah said. “It demonstrates how adaptation work in Pakistan can save lives, preserve income, and create stronger, more resilient local systems.”

For media queries contact Nicole Bayes-Fleming, Senior Communications Officer, at [email protected]