Canadian climate and international development organizations are praising the federal government’s decision to invest C$315 million over five years in international climate adaptation projects, with sections of the fund earmarked to advance women’s rights and adaptation and support cooperative projects between Indigenous partners.
The Partnering for Climate initiative, unveiled February 17 by International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan, “will allow Canadian organizations to apply for funding to implement adaptation projects in partnership with organizations in the Global South,” Climate Action Network-Canada writes in a release. The announcement comes after Canadian groups urged Ottawa to rethink a partnership approach that relied too heavily on private sector incentives, favoured climate change mitigation projects over adaptation, and “has failed to make an impact in least developed countries and small island developing states,” CAN-Rac says.
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“This announcement comes as the world is reeling from climate-induced disasters, droughts, floods, and fires that have destroyed people’s homes, communities, and livelihoods,” said CAN-Rac International Climate Diplomacy Manager Eddy Pérez, adding that the climate emergency won’t be solved “without decolonizing our approaches and contributing to helping the world’s most vulnerable people and communities to build power.”’
“This announcement comes at a crucial time for Africa—temperatures are reaching record levels, wildfires have destroyed entire forests, sea levels have risen, food insecurity is at an all-time high, and these are just some of the consequences of climate change,” said Plan International Canada Chief Programs Officer Tanjina Mirza. The new fund will enable civil society organizations “to share our expertise in climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and gender equality with communities that are the most affected and least responsible,” she added, while ensuring “that girls, women, and Indigenous people have a bigger say in climate action, as they should.”
“Strengthening civil society partnerships is critical for locally-led adaptation efforts to increase community resilience,” added WaterAid Canada CEO Nicole Hurtubise. “Increased priority for adaptation must include water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and further exploration of nature-based solutions and water security for gender responsive and climate resilient WASH.”
“Supporting the work of Indigenous peoples to respond to the challenges of climate disruption is an important step towards decolonizing and empowering local communities in the most affected areas,” said ClimateFast Co-Chair Lyn Adamson. “Empowerment of women in their local communities will help to enhance climate resilience. This is still too little, and too much in the form of loans rather than grants, but it is a significant step in the right direction.”
It’s a start. But a drop in the bucket compared to the need. We can be grateful it is on their radar.