A new model of funding for adaptation
No commentsAll groups participating at the Bali Summit would like to see the adaptation fund finalized here.
Nusa Dua, 3 December: “Indonesia and many other countries are expecting talks on adaptation funds to be finalized, so that preparation in response to the impact of climate change can be implemented at the earliest, especially for poor countries,” said Prof Emil Salim, head of the Indonesian Delegation, soon after the opening of the UN Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC/ COP 13) in Bali.
“All groups participating in this conference would like to see the adaptation fund finalized in this conference,” said Salim. “Now, we will be discussing the practical application, in hopes that we will see the total amount of fund to be assigned.”
In a personal statement, the Indonesian dignitary said that his target would be to finalize the talks on the adaptation fund as a source of financing outside the current flow of funding. “There has never been this model of funding for adaptation before,” he noted.
When asked about the role of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) in administering the Adaptation Fund, Salim said that this was not a subject of controversy. “GEF has its own interest, and the Adaptation Fund is a different compartment from GEF,” he said.
However, the GEF states that it has experience, and is ready to help countries vulnerable to climate change by arriving at solutions for sustainability.
“The world government is aware of the need for early action for adaptation to climate change. At GEF, we acquire facts on projects that will help countries in the development of sustainability, and also in the ability to reduce carbon emissions,” said Monique Barbut, CEO of GEF.
Moreover, Masnellyarti Hilman, Deputy Minister of Environment for Natural Resource Conservation and Environmental Degradation, discussed Indonesia’s position on the composition of the team to the Adaptation Fund that should consider equal distribution among the regions, especially for island countries.
The decision-making process is expected to be arrived at as a consensus. If such a consensus is not reached, then each country will have one vote. As far as implementation is concerned, it is expected that countries who qualify for the Adaptation Fund will be able to access funds directly, without an implementing agent, as this will shorten the adaptation fund’s approval time.
