Climate: we are strengthening resilience to climate change across borders
We live in an interconnected world. The effects of climate change ripple out across national borders. Our adaptation actions can have consequences that cascade from country to country too.
Wilton Park’s dialogue on transboundary climate risks paved the way for the formation of Adaptation Without Borders, a new global partnership working to strengthen resilience to these cross-border impacts.
In November 2020, a collaboration between the European Commission and Adaptation Without Borders was launched during a high-level event at COP26. The EU is investing €700,000 in the partnership, which will run through 2022 and puts into practice the vision of the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, which stresses that in a deeply interconnected world, building resilience internationally is “not only a matter of solidarity, but also of open strategic autonomy and self-interest” for Europe. Wilton Park has been invited to convene further meetings of the partnership during 2022.
Background
Despite the transnational nature of many ecosystems and communities, responses to the risks posed by climate change are largely formulated nationally. Adaptation plans often fail to recognise or account for cross-border risks.
Adopting a transboundary perspective on climate risk changes the scope and nature of the adaptation challenge, creates opportunities to strengthen international cooperation on adaptation and paves the way towards lasting global resilience.
Our involvement
Our dialogue brought together 40 stakeholders from 19 countries to discuss transboundary climate risk.
Together, they examined the benefits and challenges of a multilateral approach to adaptation and disaster risk reduction and called for the formation of a new multi-stakeholder partnership.
It resulted in the Wilton Park Agenda on Adapting to Transboundary Climate Risk and paved the way for the formation of Adaptation Without Borders.
The event was held in partnership with The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) and the Global Center on Adaptation.
The impact
The partnership, Adaptation Without Borders, has been building on the conversations and information shared at Wilton Park since its formation. Several stakeholders at the dialogue now play active roles in the partnership.
Adaptation Without Borders explores the global implications of transboundary climate risks and strengthens cooperation among a range of partners to meet the global challenge of adaptation to climate change.
I welcome the Adaptation Without Borders Initiative – it is very needed, it is very timely, and the potential is simply transformative.
Ayman Cherkaoui, Coordinator of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection
The future
Wilton Park and Adaptation Without Borders plan to continue their collaboration by bringing this crucial work to the attention of negotiators and policymakers at COP26 and beyond.
Contacts
James Corré: Programme Director
Transboundary climate risks (WP1670)
Partners
With support from:
