Songdo, 28 October 2024 – The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a US$ 35 million project to increase climate resilience in Azerbaijan, supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The major new project will address the need for reliable climate information services and a people-centred multi-hazard early warning system. As a landlocked developing country with numerous and diverse climatic conditions, Azerbaijan is increasingly vulnerable to a multitude of climate-related hazards, from flooding and drought to extreme heat and landslides. The introduction of impact-based forecasting and climate shock-responsive social protection will help the country shift from reactive to proactive approaches to reducing disaster risks. Linking social protection to forecast-based financing and anticipatory action will provide an innovative means to increase the coping and adaptive capacities of the most vulnerable groups. “Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and landslides are becoming increasingly frequent and intense,” said Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President-Designate. “These changes threaten not only our environment but also the livelihoods of our people and the resilience of our economy.” “This marks a significant step in enhancing our adaptive capacity,” he added. “The project will enable us to better monitor and respond to climate hazards, safeguarding our communities, economy, and ecosystems in the process. International cooperation, such as this partnership with the GCF, is vital to our efforts in addressing the climate crisis and building a sustainable, resilient future for all.” Using a holistic approach, the project targets all four pillars of effective early warning systems. A state-of-the-art forecast production and verification system will be established, and risk assessment capabilities strengthened.
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