Climate aid to poor countries is dwindling at a time when developing nations are facing mounting risks from storms, floods, wildfires, drought, extreme temperatures, and other environment-related climate crises, according to a report released Thursday by the United Nations.
The that developing countries will need $215 billion to $387 billion a year this decade to cope with the realities of a warming world. This funding range is 10 to 18 times higher than what wealthy countries committed in aid in 2021, the most recent year for which figures are available.
The funding gap for climate preparedness leaves the world exposed to the devastating impacts of climate change, according to the report.
“Lives and livelihoods are being lost and destroyed, with the vulnerable suffering the most,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. “Yet as needs rise, action is stalling. Today’s report shows the gap in adaptation funding is the highest ever. The world must take action to close the adaptation gap and deliver climate justice.”
The assessment was released ahead of COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. Climate funding is expected to be a critical topic of negotiation at the summit.
As per the U.N. report, funding to developing countries declined by 15% to $21 billion in 2021 compared to the previous year. Consequently, the gap in funding for climate adaptation and resilience is widening while the needs are rising substantially.
“We are in an adaptation emergency. We must act like it and take steps to close the adaptation gap, now,” emphasized Guterres.
The report’s authors also highlighted the slowing progress in addressing the urgent threats of climate change globally.
The argument for increasing climate aid to developing nations is founded on the principles of climate justice. Despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions, these countries are disproportionately affected by rising seas and other climate crises.
Last year, a separate U.N. report underscored the increasing risk that climate change poses to human health, infrastructure, food, and water resources. It emphasized the urgent need for action to secure a livable future.
Last year’s assessment identified that people in Africa, Asia, South America, and Central America are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
