New international panel supports deltas in times of climate change
At the UN Water Conference in New York, 22-24 March 2023, a new initiative to accelerate climate adaptation called the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal areas (IPDC) will be launched. This new initiative by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water management will focus on solutions that increase water security, adaptive capacity and sustainability.
The International Panel on Deltas and Coastal areas (IPDC) is an initiative with the aim to support deltas, coastal areas and islands in their strenuous efforts to cope and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Deltas and coastal zones are often highly populated areas that play a significant role for our economy, food systems and biodiversity. By sharing knowledge for local climate action, the IPDC wants to support and enhance the resilience of valuable ecosystems, livelihoods and economic assets, amidst other social challenges such as food security, loss of biodiversity and energy supply. In its founding phase the initiative is supported by Deltares, the Global Center on Adaptation and the Delta Alliance.
First stop - COP27
To spur international coordination to enhance resilience, the Netherlands has set up the Champions Group for Deltas and Coastal areas. The group kicks off at the COP 27 with a soft launch. Being one of the pillars of the IPDC, the group enables harmonised action between countries and Small Islands to realise sustainable management of deltas and coastal zones in the short and medium term. The IPDC will provide area-specific advice to countries on the implementation of their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). An aspired outcome of these endeavors is a pipeline of sustainable projects for financial institutions, with a preference for nature-based solutions.
According to IPDC, effective interactions between and engagement from policy makers, scientists, implementers of national adaptation strategies is needed to accelerate actions and solutions to enhance climate resilience. The Champions Group of minister-level members, for political commitment and leadership, make up the policy-making pillar. Together with scientific knowledge networks, and the IPDC as connector and coordinator, they form the basis of the IPDC.
Ambitions & outputs
The IPDC will provide demand driven and technical assistance, capacity building, evidence based and tailored guidance on topics such as risk and data management, effective planning, governance and finance with the help of global science, expertise, and good practice. This will be available to partners to the IPDC including national and local governments who are connected to the IPDC.
Key outputs will be:
- A flagship bi-annual assessment report. The IPDC will work to develop key facts and data in a presentable format as an important reference point for sustainable and resilient development of deltas, coastal zones and small islands.
- A bi-annual conference, convening the main experts, champions to shape the action agenda, announce important events, and initiatives etc. exchange knowledge and network.
- Climate adaptation advisory services addressing their requirements and needs.
- The IPDC will work to support commitments to the Water Action Agenda with a steppingstone at the UN 2023 Water Conference part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes supporting accelerated implementation and improved impact towards achieving SDG 6 and other water-related goals and targets.
The UN Water Conference in New York, 22-24 March 2023, is co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Tajikistan.
