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SILVER SPRING, MD (November 12, 2024) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is participating in the 29th United Nations Global Climate Change Conference (COP29) to emphasize comprehensive climate solutions that strengthen community resilience, especially in regions most affected by the climate crisis.
COP29, which stands for Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is taking place from November 11 to November 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference brings together world leaders, environmental scientists, and humanitarian organizations to discuss innovative solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. As a global humanitarian organization committed to serving communities affected by disasters, poverty, and environmental challenges, ADRA will highlight 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 calls 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.
“Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and injustices, disproportionately affecting communities already facing poverty, displacement, and inequality. Humanitarian organizations like ADRA are critical in building resilience and advocating for climate justice,” says Imad Madanat, vice president for Humanitarian Affairs at ADRA International. “At COP29, ADRA is committed to amplifying the voices of these communities and advocating for policies that strengthen socioeconomic resilience. We call on COP29 to prioritize the role of humanitarian actors in climate action, food security, and nutrition, as the stability of global food systems is increasingly threatened by climate change. It is also essential that climate finance be prioritized, with a focus on equitable and accessible funding for vulnerable communities, including support for loss and damage. ADRA remains dedicated to leveraging its on-the-ground expertise to help shape inclusive, sustainable climate solutions at COP29.”
World leaders made significant progress on the first day of COP29 by officially adopting new operational standards for a global carbon market mechanism, as outlined in the Paris Agreement under Article 6, finally resolving nearly a decade of deadlock. Article 6 allows two countries to establish bilateral carbon trading agreements on mutually agreed terms. It also creates a centralized, UN-managed system that enables both countries and companies to offset and trade carbon emissions.
Why COP29 Matters for ADRA
By engaging in global climate conversations, ADRA seeks 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 is supporting the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) at COP29, a critical initiative aimed at mobilizing predictable and sustained climate finance for developing nations. ADRA advocates for financial mechanisms that are not only equitable and accessible but also tailored to meet the unique needs of communities facing the dual challenges of climate change adaptation and the transition to low-carbon economies.
ADRA views the NCQG as a vital opportunity to strengthen collaboration among governments, international organizations, and humanitarian actors. The agency stresses the importance of a transparent and efficient framework to ensure that climate finance pledges are honored and utilized effectively, driving meaningful impact where it is most needed.
“COP29 presents a vital opportunity for ADRA to advocate for equitable climate finance solutions through the New Collective Quantified Goal,” says Carina Rolly, advocacy and policy advisor for ADRA Germany. “By collaborating with governments, partners, and communities, we can ensure that climate adaptation funding is not only ambitious but also accessible and targeted to meet the needs of those most affected by the climate crisis. Our involvement at COP29 is about pushing for practical, inclusive policies that make a real difference on the ground.”
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.
- Collaborating with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and EcoAct to create the Humanitarian Carbon Calculator, a tool designed to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from global humanitarian projects, addressing the impacts of rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and extreme weather events.
ADRA’s Role at COP29
At COP29, ADRA will actively participate 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 joins the World Farmers Organization (WFO) and other NGOs to advocate for the critical role farmers play in addressing climate change. ADRA will promote greater integration of farmers’ knowledge and priorities in climate policies. The organization will take part in the following panels:
November 15 – Healthy Soils, Healthy Food: Leveraging Soil Health and Forgotten Foods for Mitigation and Locally-Led Adaptation
German Pavilion
4:30 – 6:30 PM (local time, GMT+4)
As climate change threatens global food systems, restoring soil health and reviving indigenous crops offer essential solutions for both mitigation and adaptation. This panel will highlight how healthy soils act as carbon sinks and improve agricultural productivity, while forgotten foods contribute to diversifying and strengthening local food systems. The session will emphasize the importance of community involvement, sustainable practices, and the need for supportive policies and funding.
Presented by ADRA, ACF, and WHH
November 16 – Local Production & Regional Collaboration to Support Stability within Countries and Regions
Action on Food Hub
9:00 – 10:00 AM (local time, GMT+4)
Focusing on the critical role of local production and regional collaboration, this panel will discuss how communities in climate-vulnerable regions can build resilience through sustainable, locally-driven solutions. It will feature examples of how communities leverage their own resources and networks to develop climate-adaptive strategies, and how regional partnerships can amplify these efforts. Policy recommendations will be provided to support localized production and participatory decision-making in development initiatives.
Presented by ADRA and WHH
November 19 – Enhancing Community Resilience at the Hunger-Climate-Conflict Nexus: Moving from Programming Examples to Systematic Policy Changes
Humanitarian Hub
3:00 – 4:00 PM (local time, GMT+4)
This session will explore the complex interactions between conflict, climate-related events, and food insecurity, drawing on lived experience research from Mali, South Sudan, and Somalia. Moderators will discuss 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.
Presented by ADRA and Aktion gegen den Hunger
GoGreenWithADRA
Join the #GoGreenWithADRA movement and participate in community-led initiatives like tree planting. Explore educational resources to inspire climate action and environmental stewardship. For more information on ADRA’s initiatives and to access environmental toolkits, visit https://adra.org/gogreenwithadra.
