Global Goal on Adaptation and the road from Dubai.

General Studies Paper – 3

Context:

• COP28 marked a pivotal shift in prioritizing global adaptation efforts through the adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
• Challenges include measuring progress, disparities in climate financing, and GGA’s limitations in treating adaptation equally with mitigation.

COP28 and Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA):

• COP28 marked a shift in addressing the lackadaisical approach to adaptation concerns in climate change.
• Adoption of the framework for Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) aimed at prioritizing adaptation efforts globally.

Challenges in GGA Implementation:

• GGA framework sets targets for assessing climate hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities by 2030.
• Questions arise about the influence of the framework on prioritizing adaptation actions and its potential effectiveness.

Measuring GGA Progress:

• Adaptation lacks a universal metric, making progress assessment complex.
• The GGA framework initiates a two-year work program on indicators but lacks details on development and implementation.

Climate Financing Disparities:

• COP28 Draft Decision expresses concern about the widening adaptation finance gap.
• Mitigation bias in climate financing persists, with a 95:5 split favoring mitigation over adaptation.
• Developed countries fall short of the annual $100 billion climate finance commitment, with a gap highlighted.

Bias in Climate Financing:

• Climate financing favors mitigation due to the regime’s historical emphasis on it.
• Rich countries benefit less from adaptation, which has local benefits, compared to the global benefits of mitigation projects.

GGA’s Impact and Limitations:

• GGA is a positive step but falls short in treating adaptation equally with mitigation.
• Emphasis on temperature control and mitigation levels challenges the parity of adaptation efforts.
• GGA’s encouraging aspects contrast with the persisting bias and challenges in climate financing.

Conclusion:

• COP28’s focus on adaptation and the GGA framework signifies progress but requires addressing disparities in financing and ensuring effective implementation for global climate resilience.