Brussels has vowed to increase its support for developing countries that are particularly affected by climate change.
The Brussels-Capital Region will be increasing its contribution to the multilateral instrument set up to support developing countries: the Adaptation Fund. This was confirmed by the Brussels Minister for Climate Transition, Alain Maron, during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
The fund is the result of the industrialised countries pledging to support developing countries – which emit the least but are most adversely affected by climate change – in their climate action. For Brussels, the funding will amount to €2.6 million this year, making it one of the world's leading contributors per capita.
"The acceleration of climate change and the intensification of the damage it is causing, particularly in developing countries, calls for a strong and rapid response from the international community," Maron said, adding that by increasing its support, Brussels is sending an important signal at its level.
"We only have one planet, so we must show solidarity in our fight against climate change and act together, every one of us with the means at our disposal."
The funding aims to accelerate the reduction of emissions in countries which are impacted the most and support concrete adaptation projects such as flood management or the development of new agricultural practices.
Further funding for local projects
The announcement comes days after the European weather service Copernicus announced that 2023 will be the hottest year on record. The service warned that temperatures will keep rising, as will the impacts of heatwaves and droughts.
The Region is also working with Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency, to help support developing countries in the face of climate change.
Brussels recently renewed an agreement to support concrete climate actions on the ground to the tune of €4,150,000 from 2023 to 2026. This bilateral funding will support projects in Mozambique (access to drinking water in rural areas), Rwanda (urbanisation integrating nature-based solutions) and Palestine.
Adaptation to climate change will be one of the three priorities of Belgium's EU Presidency, which begins in January 2024.
