Invest in Climate Resilience Today or Pay for Catastrophe Tomorrow, Secretary-General Says at Adaptation Gap Report Launch

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the launch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Report, in Nairobi today:

Adaptation is about protecting people from the climate crisis today — and investing in the shared security we need for tomorrow.  But, the latest Adaptation Gap Report exposes a staggering shortfall.  For every dollar developing countries need to adapt, they receive just $.10.  That gap is not measured in money alone.  It is measured in lives, livelihoods and lost futures.  And it will only widen as warming overshoots 1.5°C.

The international community has committed to triple adaptation finance by 2035.  Yet, even that would cover less than one third of what is needed.  Developed countries must deliver.  The most vulnerable need fast, simple access to support.  Development banks must scale up.

Governments must turn plans into safer homes, resilient infrastructure, secure food and water, and early warnings for everyone — with communities in the lead.  And when protection fails, the Loss and Damage Fund must have meaningful resources to respond.

We know who is most at risk.  We know what works.  What is missing is the money — and the political will.

The choice is simple:  invest in adaptation today — or pay for catastrophe tomorrow.