UNFCCC COP28: Quad Nations Collaborate to Showcase Achievements in Climate Adaptation: A Resilience-Focused Event by MoEFCC and CDRI

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, in collaboration with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), recently organized a side event under the Adaptation Pillar of the Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG). Titled 'Capturing the Resilience Dividend: Quad Achievements under the Climate Adaptation Pillar,' the event took place at the India Pavilion during the UNFCCC COP 28 in Dubai.

Representatives from all Quad nations participated in the panel discussion, which featured the Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, JICA (Japan), Ms. Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (India), Ms. Nicola Ross, Director-Climate Integration Unit, DFAT (Australia), Mr. Toru Yoshida, Senior Deputy Director, and Mr. Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID (USA). The session was expertly moderated by Mr. Krishna Vatsa, Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India.

The primary focus of the panel was to underscore the importance of measuring and promoting the resilience dividend among all stakeholders. Panelists emphasized the crucial need to integrate resilience considerations into investments, policies, planning, and governance to safeguard infrastructure, investments, and communities.

They acknowledged existing challenges, including the lack of data, coordination issues, financing gaps, and limitations in conceptualizing and implementing adaptation measures at the local level. During the discussion, panellists shared insights into ongoing efforts to integrate resilience, including the promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), community-driven initiatives with a focus on nature, and locally-led adaptation and resilience projects.

Noteworthy examples cited included climate-resilient projects from the Indo-Pacific region. The panel commended the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), supported by all Quad partners, as an exemplary model of effective partnership among global stakeholders.

CDRI serves as an advocate for resilience and provides support to countries in accelerating economic growth, thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.