There is strong consensus that climate change presents an urgent challenge to the well-being of all countries, particularly to the poorest countries and the poorest people within them. Even if efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are successful, some degree of global warming and climate change is unavoidable. The primary direct effects of climate change are an increase in droughts and floods, more seasonal peaks in river flow, and a higher probability of stronger tropical storms. The poorest countries and communities are likely to suffer the most because of their geographical location, low incomes, and low institutional capacity, as well as their greater reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture.
Climate action is a key priority in IDA countries, particularly regarding adaptation–understood as efforts to adjust to ongoing and potential effects of climate change. Building up resilience to increasing climate variability is the most significant climate challenge facing IDA countries. Because IDA countries contribute the least to GHG emissions, mitigation (i.e. efforts to reduce emissions) is dealt with less extensively. Yet, some key mitigation actions – such as expanding access to clean energy as well as financing improved land management and forest management programs – can offer true win-win opportunities in IDA countries, both in terms of supporting good development and reducing global GHG emissions.
Frequency of climate related disasters, 1980 - 2005
IDA is the appropriate platform to ensure that funding for climate action works for development, not against it. IDA’s primary focus on growth and poverty reduction can increase climate resilience in low income economies by helping them to diversify their economies. Countries will need to factor climate risks into their development planning, and consider the range of interventions that will increase their resilience to climate change. Given IDA’s strengths in directly supporting countries – its lending and non-lending instruments, its multi-sectoral perspective, and its role as a platform for provision of aid by all donors – IDA is uniquely positioned to mainstream climate actions in the countries most at risk from climate change.
Frequency of climate related disasters in IDA and blend countries, 1980 - 2005
IDA has already built up relevant knowledge and experience in addressing climate change, but the work is still at a relatively early stage. IDA countries have begun to build an important knowledge base and experience in dealing with adaptation to climate change through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) supported National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPA) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). IDA’s analytical work is also helping to build knowledge on adaptation: a growing number of projects explicitly recognize the challenges posed by climate change and tackle the issue with specific adaptation components. On mitigation, IDA’s experience and knowledge is more advanced, in particular in the area of access to clean energy and carbon finance. With adequate financing, an effective program of climate interventions under IDA15 will span knowledge creation and dissemination, policy dialogue and country strategy, and investment in innovative development projects.
Distribution of world climate risks
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