LEADING member of the Bretton Woods institute, the World Bank, ahas weighed in on the impact of climate change on the planet with a call for people and business houses to adapt to climate induced weather changes, a threat to children and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the close of the decade.

Findings by the financial institution, based on the report, estimates that from 103 countries, comprising 86 percent of the global population, about 1.2 billion people are both exposed to at least one climate-related hazard and highly vulnerable.

High-income countries have large populations exposed to climate-related hazards, most people at high risk are in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa; this is a consequence of lower income levels and a lack of access to the basic infrastructure and social services people need to cope with and recover from shocks.

The report titled: “Rising to the Challenge” states that both exposure to at least one climate-related hazard and highly vulnerable Climate change and extreme events are increasing, as are their impacts, a call for countries, businesses, and communities to adapt to survive.

Citing the World Meteorological Organisation’s findings that highlights the earth’s climate system experiencing an unprecedented rate of warming that has already led to record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, storms, floods, and wildfires, it reaffirms the existence of climate change.

The state of affairs threatens various global benchmarks set to attain global growth. Among the projections threatened are the attainment of the SDGs by 2030, failure to resolve public debt, chiefly by developing countries and ensuring children are protected by an unprecedented climate crisis.

“Children are particularly vulnerable to climate risks, with long-term impacts on economic and human capital development” the report reads.

“There is evidence that climate impacts are undermining progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals” Vulnerable countries, people, and communities are disproportionately affected, it states.

Warming has slowed down the convergence in income between countries in recent decades and within countries, the expected impacts of climate change on the bottom 40 percent are, on average, 70 percent higher than those on the average population.

And the United Nations Children Fund-UNICEF warns that an estimated one-fifth of the world’s population remains at high risk from climate-related hazards, a call for countervailing measures to reduce the impact on the human environment.

It warns of key climate hazards; heatwaves, droughts, floods, and cyclones, with household data to count people who are both exposed and highly vulnerable due to their propensity to be adversely affected or their inability to cope with the impacts.

Reiterating the fear of exposure of many people to hazards, the report notes that from 103 countries, comprise 86 percent of the global population, may see about 1.2 billion people being exposed to at least one climate-related hazard and highly vulnerable.

High-income countries have large populations exposed to climate-related hazards, most people at high risk are in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa; this is a consequence of lower income levels and a lack of access to the basic infrastructure and social services people need to cope with and recover from shocks.

Strategies for Climate Adaptation and Resilience Reducing climate and disaster impacts on people, communities, and economies requires more rapid development, more resilient development, and targeted adaptation interventions.

Only a whole- of-society strategy will allow countries to coordinate efforts across sectors and support people, the private sector, and communities to build resilience.

Rapid, inclusive development, poverty reduction, and access to basic services are crucial for enhancing adaptive capacity and the resilience of people and communities.

There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating the interconnectedness of development progress and adaptation.
The Bank argues that adaptation interventions alone cannot make people and households resilient; they also need to have access to basic infrastructure services.

These infrastructure include energy and improved water, financial instruments including saving accounts and borrowing, and critical services including health care.

Humans remain vulnerable by design and have always faced natural disasters, with many not linked to climate change such as earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Around the world, people are applying innovative solutions and approaches to not only adapt to the changing climate, but in many cases increasing productivity and efficiency to bring more resources to the challenge.

Key recommendations:

• There is an urgent need for a combination of rapid development, resilient development, and targeted adaptation interventions to reduce the impacts of climate and disaster risks.

• Climate Adaptation and Resilience:
The report argues that development plays a crucial role in building resilience, as basic needs must be met for communities to effectively adapt to climate change.
• Whole-of-Economy Framework:
It proposes a comprehensive approach to adaptation, considering various sectors and aspects of the economy.
• Country Assessments:
The report assesses the adaptation and resilience readiness of 44 countries, providing valuable insights into their preparedness and identifying areas for improvement.
• Good Practices:
It examines 39 examples of successful adaptation practices from both the public and private sectors, highlighting strategies that can be scaled up globally.
• Addressing Interconnected Challenges:
The report acknowledges that climate change is intertwined with other global challenges like food insecurity, pandemics, and conflict, requiring integrated solutions.
• Rethinking Approaches:
It prompts a discussion about whether existing solutions need to be reinvented or if existing knowledge and technologies can be applied differently to address these complex issues.
• Focus on Innovation:
The report also recognizes the need for true innovation in certain areas, such as livestock methane reduction, and highlights the importance of research and development in these fields.