The Dhaka Times Desk At a roundtable meeting organized by WaterAid, representatives from the climate and water sectors called for due importance to be given to addressing the impact of climate change on water and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
WaterAid also launched their upcoming flagship initiative “Resilient Water Accelerator” through this event at Sonargaon Hotel.
Speakers at “Road to Cope27” highlighted the need for the world to take immediate action to protect human communities from the effects of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends “low-regrets” adaptation solutions for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to strengthen marginalized and vulnerable communities. WASH services will reduce the climate impact crisis, help reduce the gender gap in society, education, wealth and health disparities, which are needed to ensure the resilience of all communities and individuals. But these adaptation solutions require funding, which is still insufficient globally. The IPCC considers the provision of water and sanitation services to be one of the most effective measures in the short term to mitigate climate-related crises, identifying it as a “low-regrets” adaptation solution. This analysis also reveals that significant geographical disparities still remain in the allocation of WASH services, with developed and urban areas receiving a greater share of allocated funds than rural, pastoral, hilly and coastal areas in previous years.
Malik Fida, Managing Director of CEGIS said, “Adaptive measures to tackle climate change require multi-sector partnerships and collaborations, direct linkages and coordination of practical ideas to move towards the country's goals. It is the responsibility of all involved in the sector to sensitize the process and focus on locally driven adaptive programs centered on society and community. Ensuring these processes will help to have a direct impact on society”.
Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadek Ahmed, PKSF said, “Water should be given top priority. Future projects should be designed in line with the national strategy and priority should be given to its proper regulation. Infrastructure needs to be changed to provide safe drinking water. Climate finance is creating a debt burden for countries around the world, so we must focus on grant-based financing”.
Partha Hefaz Sikh, Director Policy Advocacy, WaterAid, said, “We are living in an era of loss and damage, we must ensure accessible and cost-effective solutions to the water crisis if we are to hope for justice in the climate sector”.
Adnan Ibn Abdul Quader, Senior Advocacy Officer, WaterAid said, “WaterAid has signed the Global Locally Driven Adaptation Action Policy. Local solutions must be ensured to address the water crisis. The “Resilient Water Accelerator” is a multi-sectoral initiative that will prioritize human climate and water issues and pave the way for solutions to those issues. We must ensure that this adaptation finance reaches local communities. Hopefully our initiative will emphasize this aspect”.
Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid said, “Bangladesh is committed to providing sustainable water management and safe sanitation services. But we also need to pave the way for a gradual discussion of the impacts of climate change on WASH. Bangladesh emphasized the need for bold and promising action to tackle climate change; And we are playing our part in this too. I urge everyone to pay attention to climate related issues in the lives of marginalized people”.
The importance of water in addressing the climate crisis Road to COP27 Roundtable 2022 key recommendations are proposed;
1. Ensure that rich countries for adaptation more than double their public finances by 2025 compared to 2019. Increased allocation to hard-to-reach areas and elimination of intra-city allocation disparities should be given special emphasis.
2. Structural inequalities must be addressed – especially among groups that are vulnerable to climate change.
3. Procedures must be implemented that ensure durability and reliability. Long-term management and financial resources are needed to keep WASH services reliable so that they receive the services they need during and after disasters.
4. “Locally managed adaptation” for building resilience and adaptation to climate change
(Locally-Led Adaptation) principles as the most effective approach. News bulletins.
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