Climate Change: UK Launches New Adaptation Action Coalition

This week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new international coalition to tackle the impacts of climate change.

In a virtual address to the Netherlands-hosted Climate Adaptation summit, the first-ever global summit focused solely on adaptation and resilience, the Prime Minister launched the Adaptation Action Coalition.

Developed by the UK in partnership with Egypt, Bangladesh, Malawi, the Netherlands, Saint Lucia, and the United Nations, this new Coalition will work to turn international political commitments made through the United Nations Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience into on-the-ground support for vulnerable communities.

Many countries across the world are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, from forest fires in Australia to the recent cyclones in Mozambique. Without action, many more will experience significant disruption and extreme weather, devastating communities, and livelihoods.

With support, countries and communities can adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Measures like early warning systems for storms, investing in flood drainage and drought-resistant crops are cost-effective, saving not just money, but lives and livelihoods.

In the UK for example, where the country is experiencing more high rainfall events as a result of climate change, the Government has committed an additional £5.2 billion to new flood and coastal defense schemes.