ALN Motion on Climate Change Adaptation

The 55th Congress of Liberal International notes:
•    That according to an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published on 2 February 2007 it is now 90% certain that human activities since 1750 have warmed our planet.
•    That while every possible attempt must be made to mitigate climate change, the reality is that a certain amount of warming has already been locked into the climate system due to emissions that have already occurred;
Further noting:
•    That concern is growing that many communities and ecosystems will have little time to adjust to changing conditions;
•    That economic losses due to extreme weather events are already being experienced, and are likely to increase in the future;
•    That the World Health Organization estimates that climate change is already responsible for 150 000 deaths annually;
•    That the worst effects of climate change will be felt most acutely in the developing world, particularly in Africa;
•    That climate change threatens both food and water security in the developing world;
•    That the effects of climate change will hamper many countries’ abilities to attain the UN Millennium Goals;
Further noting:
•    That Adaptation refers primarily to measures that lessen the vulnerabilities that arise as a result of the negative effects of climate change.
•    That while migration is mostly a global issue, adaptation is a local or regional issue, and therefore adaptation needs will be different in different parts of the world.
•    That those countries or communities with the least capacity to adapt are the most vulnerable to climate change;
•    That the costs of adapting will be between US$ 28 and US$ 67 billion per year by 2030;
•    That currently the Adaptation Fund, set up using funds from a levy on Clean Development Mechanism Projects, is estimated to be worth only US$ 36 million per year, and is expected to rise to no more than US$300 million per year by 2012. Hence, there is a significant funding gap, as the Adaptation Fund in its current manifestation will contribute only 1% of the funds required to help the world adapt to the climate change that is already likely to happen.
Hereby Resolves:
•    That Adaptation to climate change in conjunction with sustainable development receive the same emphasis as mitigation in a post-2012 climate agreement;
•    That the funding for Adaptation by developing countries be funded primarily by developed countries who are responsible for the majority of human-induced climate change;
•    That developed countries consider committing to compulsory financial payments to the Adaptation Fund based on their respective abilities to pay.
•    That funding to developing countries for Adaptation measures be in addition to existing development aid.