COP21 is a tentative step-forward

• The inclusion of a goal to limit global warming to 1.5C an unexpected ‘win’
• However, the Paris Declaration is riddled with vague language particularly in regards to financing
• World Vision will continue to work with Governments and local communities to mitigate and adapt to climate change

World Vision believes the Paris Declaration is a tentative step-forward but it will provide little comfort to the children and their families already directly impacted by climate change.

The aid and development agency is pleased with an agreement to keep global temperatures ‘well below’ two degrees. However, it is concerned there are no consequences for failing to reduce carbon emissions. There is also a lack of clarity in regard to adaptation and mitigation financing for developing countries experiencing increasingly extreme weather conditions.

“What we have is an agreement that we ought to be doing something and that is progress,” says World Vision’s Director of Public Policy Chris Derksen Hiebert. “But at this point, we can’t go back to the communities we work with who are bearing the brunt of climate change and tell them the world has truly heard and acted upon their plea for help.”

The Paris Declaration is particularly timely, as it coincides with some of the worst El Nino weather conditions since the 1950s.

In several southern and east African countries, prolonged drought has caused farmers to lose livestock and crops, and children are showing the first signs of severe undernutrition and malnutrition.

Drought has also gripped several island nations in the Pacific. Meanwhile, Chennai in eastern India is experiencing severe flooding.

 “World Vision will continue to work with Governments and communities to mitigate and adapt to climate change. But we must capitalise on the goodwill generated at COP21 and ensure we arrive at concrete commitments to combat climate change in the near future,” says Derksen Hiebert.

World Vision’s work

World Vision is a child-focused aid and development agency committed to supporting communities mitigate and adapt to climate change. Among its innovative programming is Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) which in involves the systematic regrowth and management of trees and shrubs from felled tree stumps, sprouting root systems or seeds. The regrown trees and shrubs help restore soil structure and fertility, inhibit erosion, rehabilitate springs and the water table and increase biodiversity. As a result, FMNR can double crop yields, provide building timber, firewood, fodder and shade for livestock.

To learn more about World Vision’s reforestation work, see this example from Ethiopia: Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration Mitigates effects of drought in Ethiopia

To learn more about World Vision’s work on child centred climate adaptation, see its latest briefing document: Child Centred Climate Adaptation: Realising Children’s Rights in a Changing Climate

To learn more about World Vision’s work on climate-smart agriculture, see: The Africa Climate-Smart Agricultural Initiative