COP29 is an opportunity to act for humanity

Humanitarian needs are often driven by conflict and climate change.

This week presents an opportunity, through COP29, to collectively address the latter—a crisis that is already driving huge increases in humanitarian needs around the world.

In 2024—which is set to be the hottest year in recorded human history—global heating fuelled extreme weather events that killed and displaced people around the world.

These extreme weather events of 2024 are only the latest in a longstanding trend of increasing climate-related disasters. In the 20 years leading to 2023, humanitarian appeals for climate-related disasters increased by 800%. There can be no doubt that this increase is being fuelled by climate change.

One other fact we all know is that climate change impacts the world’s most vulnerable people, first and worst. People already experiencing humanitarian need are at the greatest risk of climate impacts. Of the 16 countries assessed to be most at risk from the impacts of climate change, 11 have humanitarian appeals for urgent assistance (GHO 2024).

Beyond driving increased humanitarian needs, the climate crisis also accelerates inequality. As is often the case in times of crises, women and girls are disproportionately affected, as it decimates their livelihoods and endangers their rights, health, and safety.

It is also a known fact that people least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions are paying the highest price for their impact—an egregious injustice.

This is why we, in the humanitarian community, are united in support of the Secretary-General’s call for NDCs that reflect urgent reductions in emissions, in line with the 1.5 degree target.

Longer-term investments in resilience are desperately needed in communities affected by conflict and fragility. I have seen firsthand what these investments in resilience can do in my meetings with communities in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and in other parts of the world. But climate adaptation is drastically underfunded and is not reaching the most vulnerable at remotely the speed or scale that is needed.

There can be no humanitarian solution to the climate crisis. But the humanitarian system is adapting and responding by helping those most affected by emergencies and building resilience to climate shocks.

CERF—the UN humanitarian relief fund—is at the forefront of Anticipatory Action helping to reduce the risk of disaster. Anticipatory Action is an innovative tool at the intersection of climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response. For example, within 6 minutes of the trigger being reached, Nepal's Anticipatory Action framework for riverine flooding was activated, releasing urgent funding from CERF to help communities prepare. With 15 active frameworks in 13 countries , today, CERF is the largest contributor to Anticipatory Action frameworks.

Our Pooled Funding instruments have also become a reliable partner to people affected by extreme weather events. Since its creation more than 15 years ago, CERF has spent $2.5 billion (around a quarter of its spending) to help people affected by extreme weather-related emergencies, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, cold waves and storms.

We are also working to adapt our tools to better understand the impact of climate change and the vulnerabilities of the most affected communities. This data can help improve the response to emergency needs and also inform and shape desperately needed investments in development and climate adaptation.

At this COP29, OCHA is bringing the humanitarian community together to amplify the voice of the most vulnerable people collectively. We will, on behalf of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, be hosting a humanitarian hub at COP29’s Blue Zone from 18 November. This is the second time there will be a dedicated humanitarian presence through such a hub.

COP29 presents a critical opportunity to put the needs of crisis affected communities at the heart of the climate action. But the opportunity will be lost if the Peace, Relief, and Recovery Day is not marked by new and tangible commitments.

We are advocating for a climate finance architecture that is better adapted to supporting communities in crisis, and that makes greater investments in humanitarian contexts.

COP29 is more than just a gathering; it’s an opportunity to rewrite the narrative of the climate crisis from one of suffering to resilience.

This week, let’s stand with those on the frontlines, pushing for climate finance that supports those most in need and investing in a future of prevention over reaction. It’s time to deliver on the promises of climate action.