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SILVER SPRING, MD (November 21, 2024) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) participated in the 29th United Nations Global Climate Change Conference (COP29) to emphasize comprehensive climate measures that strengthen community resilience, especially in regions most affected by the climate conditions.
COP29, which stands for Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), from November 11 to November 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together world leaders, environmental scientists, and humanitarian organizations to discuss innovative adaptations for environmental changes. As a global humanitarian organization committed to serving communities affected by disasters, poverty, and environmental challenges, ADRA emphasized its pioneering approaches to climate adaptation, particularly in high-risk areas facing the compounded challenges of poverty and climate change.
With a network spanning 122 offices and 22 million church members worldwide, ADRA supports communities experiencing the most severe climate impacts. At COP29, ADRA called for greater recognition of the critical role humanitarian organizations play in climate action, climate finance, and ensuring food security, urging these issues to be central in the climate negotiations.
“At COP29, ADRA committed to amplifying the voices of these communities and advocating for policies that strengthen socioeconomic resilience, food security, and nutrition. It is also essential that climate finance be prioritized, with a focus on equitable and accessible funding for vulnerable communities. ADRA remains dedicated to leveraging its on-the-ground expertise to support these efforts,” said Imad Madanat, vice president for Humanitarian Affairs for ADRA International.
Why COP29 Matters for ADRA
ADRA engaged in global climate conversations to achieve the following:
- Increase Funding for Climate Adaptation: Advocate for resources to scale up programs that enhance climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
- Highlight the Humanitarian Impact: Raise awareness about the direct links between climate change, poverty, and health crises, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of climate discussions.
- Build Stronger Partnerships: Collaborate with governments, organizations, and the private sector to create sustainable, localized solutions.
Advocating for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)
ADRA supported the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) at COP29, a critical initiative aimed at mobilizing predictable and sustained climate finance for developing nations. The agency stressed the importance of a transparent and efficient framework.
“By collaborating with governments, partners, and communities, we can ensure that climate adaptation funding is not only ambitious but also accessible. Our involvement at COP29 was about pushing for practical, inclusive policies that make a real difference on the ground,” said Carina Rolly, advocacy and policy advisor for ADRA Germany.
ADRA’s Climate-Smart Strategies
For over 20 years, ADRA has been at the forefront of implementing climate-smart strategies that promote sustainable practices in underserved global communities. These initiatives integrate natural solutions with community-driven projects, including:
- Building climate-resilient homes to reduce disease risks and improve health outcomes, especially among indigenous populations.
- Providing drip irrigation technology to optimize water and nutrient use in drought-prone areas, enhancing agricultural productivity.
- Distributing drought-resistant seeds to support sustainable agriculture, improve food security, and ensure crop resilience.
- Offering education and resources to establish home and community gardens, empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.
- Training farmers in organic, eco-friendly agricultural practices to reduce reliance on harmful chemicals and promote long-term soil health.
- Constructing greenhouses to improve nutrition and generate income for rural families, strengthening local economies.
- Launching tree-planting campaigns to restore forests, regenerate ecosystems, and combat deforestation.
- Publishing a Carbon Reduction Guide to share best practices and lessons learned with global humanitarian leaders at UN Climate Change Conferences.
ADRA’s Role at COP29
At COP29, ADRA participated as a member of the Farmers Constituency, a key group representing farmers worldwide in climate change discussions. As an observer organization under the UNFCCC process, ADRA joined the World Farmers Organization (WFO) and other NGOs to discuss the critical role farmers play in addressing climate change. ADRA promotes greater integration of farmers’ knowledge and priorities in climate policies. The global organization collaborated on the following panels:
- November 13: Unlocking Skills for Green Jobs: Assessing Challenges and Opportunities for Youth-focused through Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) – The panel explored how the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) framework can help equip youth, especially in conflict-affected and vulnerable regions, with skills for green jobs.
- November 15: Healthy Soils, Healthy Food: Leveraging Soil Health and Forgotten Foods for Mitigation and Locally Led Adaptation – The panel focused on restoring soil health and revitalizing indigenous crops to offer essential solutions for both mitigation and adaptation to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen local food systems. The session will emphasize the importance of community involvement, sustainable practices, and the need for supportive policies and funding.
- November 16: Local Production & Regional Collaboration to Support Stability within Countries and Regions – The panel discussed the pivotal role of local production and regional collaboration in building resilience in climate-vulnerable communities. Focusing on sustainable, locally driven solutions, the session focused on real-world examples of how communities are utilizing their own resources and networks to implement climate-adaptive strategies. It also examined how regional partnerships can strengthen these efforts.
- November 19: Enhancing Community Resilience at the Hunger-Climate-Conflict Nexus: Moving from Programming Examples to Systematic Policy Changes – The panel centered on the complex interactions between conflict, climate-related events, and food insecurity, drawing on lived experience research from Mali, South Sudan, and Somalia. Moderators discussed pathways toward more resilient humanitarian responses, focusing on breaking down silos between short- and long-term interventions and integrating climate action and adaptation in conflict settings.
GoGreenWithADRA
Join the #GoGreenWithADRA movement and participate in community-led initiatives like tree planting. Explore educational resources to learn more about environmental stewardship. For more information on ADRA’s initiatives and to access environmental toolkits, visit https://adra.org/gogreenwithadra.
