Building a Strong Adaptation Committee

5 April 2011

Getting an effective and credible Adaptation Committee up and running in Durban will be a chance for parties to show their commitment to dealing with the consequences of climate change. ECO believes that the Committee is urgently needed to ensure coherence in implementation of the Cancun Adaptation Framework.

The Committee needs to get to work on identifying gaps in adaptation information, research, implementation and support,turning scientific assessments and  knowledge from the field into clear political and technical recommendations for key institutions, to make sure the rubber hits the road on  implementation of the Cancun Adaptation Framework. To ensure legitimacy and effectiveness the Adaptation Committee must report directly to the COP, and draw on the experience and expertise of key adaptation and development experts from Parties as well as civil society and research organisations. There will be lots of opportunity for political posturing, pontification, and preening at the ribbon cutting ceremony.