Transformation 2 – Address Impact of Climate Change on Humanitarian Action

Focus areas

ICVA commits to exploring how the humanitarian, development, and climate communities can work together to improve resilience to climate-related humanitarian crises.

Advocacy Initiatives...

ICVA engagement in advocacy initiatives around Climate Action...
Explore Double Arrow light blue
COP28 Engagement

 

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) commonly known as the Conference of Parties (COP28) will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November to 12 December 2023. Find all the details and updates on the official UNFCCC website and the UAE Presidency website.

ICVA members will be engaged in the discussions and negotiations at COP28. See below some of the key advocacy messages and resources from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and other stakeholders.

Resources

Key Messages
27 November 2023
IASC Key Messages on the Climate Crisis for COP28
Subject/ COP28 / IASC /
IASC Key Messages
Description

The key messages, derived from the IASC Action Plan for Engagement in COP28, have undergone extensive consultation with both IASC and non-IASC members. These documents aim to assist humanitarian organizations in coordinating their advocacy efforts at COP28, ensuring a unified and consistent message with key stakeholders.

Action Plan
13 September 2023
IASC Action Plan on Engagement in UNFCC COP 28
Subject/ COP28 / IASC /
IASC Action Plan on Engagement in UNFCC COP 28
Description

Click on the below link to read the Action Plan.

Key Messages
7 September 2023
IASC Key Messages on Averting, Minimising and Addressing Loss and Damage from a Humanitarian Perspective
Subject/ Climate & environment / Loss & damage /
IASC Key Messages on Loss and Damage
Description

A document to guide IASC members in their external advocacy and communications efforts around loss and damage from climate change.

Click on the below link to read the document.

COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace

In light of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference and the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, urgent action must be taken to enhance climate resilience, particularly in highly vulnerable communities and countries threatened by fragility, conflict, and severe humanitarian needs. The collective effort should focus on building resilience at the necessary scale and speed, prioritising Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The Declaration is open to endorsements, and submissions of commitments to the Package of Solutions are welcome through email address climate.reliefrecoverypeace@cop28.com, before 29 November. The document contains a list of frequently asked questions along with the event schedule for 3 December.

Access the Declaration and Package of Solutions document below.

COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace

Declaration
24 November 2023
COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace
Subject/ COP28 / Climate & environment /
Getting Ahead of Disasters: A Charter on Finance for Managing Risks

This initiative is led by the UAE COP28 Presidency, and the Risk Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP).

The Charter sets out principles for collaborative action to ensure better use of finance to manage risks and protect people in the most vulnerable countries from climate-related disasters. For more information, check out the website to submit your commitments https://gettingaheadofdisasters.org or you can contact reap.secretariat@ifrc.org and climate.reliefrecoverypeace@cop28.com.

COP27 Engagement

COP27 was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 – 18 November. Access more information here.

ICVA members were engaged in the discussions and negotiations at COP27. See below some of the key advocacy messages and resources from ICVA and other stakeholders.

Under the Thematic days, a dedicated Civil Society Day on 15 November took place to engage Civil Society views and perspectives are integrated.

Resources

Resources
26 October 2022
COP27 Engagement - Analyses, Key Messages, Announcements and Resources
Subject/ Environment / Climate & environment / COP27 /
Description

ICVA has compiled a list of resources around COP27 which took place from 6 to 20 November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The document attempts to capture the information on COP27 that is relevant to the humanitarian sector. ICVA will continue to engage with members and partners on how humanitarian NGOs can share lessons learned with the various processes as we head towards COP28.

COP26 Engagement

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP26 was held at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom from 31 October 2021 to 13 November 2021. During this conference more countries announced pledges to go carbon neutral, developed nations committed to increase funding to help low- and middle-income countries deal with damaging climatic effects, and world leaders promised to report their progress on emissions cuts every year.

ICVA members were engaged in the discussions and negotiations at COP26. See below some of the key advocacy messages and resources from ICVA and other stakeholders.

Resources

Resource page
3 November 2021
Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on Climate
Subject/ Climate & environment / Environment /
Resource page
20 October 2021
English Statement on behalf of signatories to the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations
Subject/ Climate & environment /
2021-10-20_18-20-23
Description
C7 and G7 Summits and Climate Action Engagement

The Civil7 Summit took place on 4-5 May 2022  in Berlin in preparation for the G7 Summit in Germany held on 26 – 28 June. You can find links to:

Joint Call for Action on Loss and Damage Fund...

As climate threats escalate, prioritising substantial, timely, and accessible funding to support those most vulnerable to climate change is more than a moral duty....
Read More
Double Arrow light blue

E-learning: Climate Change and Humanitarian Action...

The Learning Stream focuses on how to apply the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations and sharing lessons learned on how the commitments can be translated into practice...
Explore Double Arrow light blue
Climate Change and Humanitarian Action Learning Stream

This learning stream provides a platform for the broader humanitarian community to better understand how we can reduce our impact of climate change by accelerating action and increasing environmental sustainability. The series focuses on practical ways of applying the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations and sharing lessons learned on how the commitments can be translated into practice.

Topics covered in this webinar series include:

  • Humanitarian Response and Loss and Damage Finance: Coordinating Action to Meet Rising Needs
  • Climate Financing and Humanitarian Action
  • Understanding Climate Change Loss and Damage and Links to Humanitarian Action
  • The Road to COP27: Why should humanitarian NGOs engage?
  • Understanding and Integrating Climate and Environment Risk Data in Humanitarian Action
  • Embracing the leadership of local actors and communities in community action
  • Practical tools and initiatives for reducing environmental impact in humanitarian action
  • Maximising the environmental sustainability of our work
  • Adapting to the impacts of the climate and environmental crises
  • The Climate and Environment Charter for humanitarian organisations

To watch the webinars and for more information click here.

Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations...

Information on how NGOs can be supported in implementing The Climate and Environment Charter. The Charter website is available in English, French, Arabic and Spanish....
Read More Double Arrow light blue
Introduction

Climate change is an existential threat that is already completely altering the work we do as humanitarian NGOs, and the lives of the people we support. ICVA engages through our selected work areas, working in collaboration and drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of ICVA members and our partner networks. We commit to creatively explore how the humanitarian, development and climate communities can work together to shape policy, increase resilience, improve practice, and secure resourcing for climate related humanitarian crises.

The Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations

The pledge on “Strengthening the resilience of communities to climate change and environmental degradation through climate-smart humanitarian action”, made at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent by the IFRC and the ICRC led to a consultative process to develop a new, succinct, accessible and aspirational Climate and Environment Charter that is open to the wider humanitarian sector for adoption in the spirit of the Code of Conduct of 1994.

ICVA is a core part of the Advisory Committee to the Climate and Environment Charter which included a number of humanitarian and climate actors.

The Advisory Committee to the Climate and Environment Charter developed a series of short and clear commitments that could guide our efforts as humanitarians in relation to limiting the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on communities and reducing our own footprint. ICVA together with the ICRC, IFRC and the Advisory Committee conducted consultations on the draft of the Charter.

The Charter includes seven high-level commitments to guide the sector’s response to the climate and environment crises. These commitments will only be possible by embracing local leadership, increasing the capacity to understand climate and environment risks, and working together across and beyond the sector to mobilise even more ambitious climate action.

ICVA is a Signatory to the Charter and will continue our commitment in engaging on this theme through the “Commitment and Motion to Action” on Climate and Environment adopted by ICVA members at the General Assembly on 18-19 May 2021.

Sign the Charter

The Humanitarian aid donor’s declaration on climate and environment was officially validated by the European Union at the European Humanitarian Forum. The document promotes a humanitarian response system that prevents, prepares, anticipates and responds to climate and environment challenges. It complements the Statement of Commitment on Climate by Humanitarian Organizations (2020), signed by 10 organizations, and the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations (2021), now signed by over 220 organizations (as at 12 April 2022).

Carbon Accounting Tool

ICVA was part of a project led by the ICRC that developed the Humanitarian Carbon Calculator (HCC). Humanitarian organisations can use this free tool and accompanying videos and user guide to estimate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon footprint); the methodology used is both specific to the humanitarian sector and follows an international standard (GHG Protocol).

Climate Finance in Conflict and Fragile Settings

ICVA is a member of the expert roundtable working together to address obstacles to climate finance in conflict and fragile settings. The roundtable has been meeting bi-monthly and will focus on identifying why gaps and shortfalls in climate finance exist, the consequences of these shortfalls, and on proposing practical ways to unlock climate finance for populations that are particularly vulnerable to climate risks. This policy dialogue will provide a neutral, non-political space for expert discussions on ensuring that climate finance leaves no one behind.

If you would like to know more about this initiative, please contact Nishanie Jayamaha nishanie.jayamaha@icvanetwork.org.

Humanitarian Aid Donors’ Declaration on Climate and Environment

Declaration
13 April 2022
Humanitarian Aid Donors’ Declaration on Climate and Environment
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Donor declarations
Description

A commitment to invest more to prevent, prepare for, anticipate and respond to disasters, as well as to improve cooperation and partnerships between stakeholders, and increase efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of humanitarian action.

Reference contact

Ms Nishanie Jayamaha
Learning and Climate Change Programme Coordinator
More Plus light blue

Nishanie started her humanitarian career in Sri Lanka following the Indian Ocean Tsunami and has over 15 years of experience working in the United Nations, Government institutions (Secondment), the NGO and private sector in managerial and leadership roles.  Prior to joining ICVA in September 2017,  she worked at the Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP), the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) secretariat in Geneva and New York, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sri Lanka and Geneva, and at the Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR) in Sri Lanka. At ICVA, Nishanie is the focal point on Climate Change and Civic Space.

She holds a masters in International Relations from the University of Colombo and a bachelor’s degree in English, Sociology and Psychology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Resources...

A compilation of resources around climate change and humanitarian action....
Explore Double Arrow light blue
The Climate and Environment Action Compendium

ICVA has compiled a compendium comprising of existing resources, guidance and tools on building resilience, risk analysis, adaptation, environment sustainability, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), mitigation, among others. The aim is to promote knowledge exchange and share existing resources and learning. Through this compendium, ICVA intends to capture the work that is already being done, to share it as widely as possible, and to inspire others to action. Resources in the compendium are organized by categories and keywords.

To improve and keep it up to date with new initiatives and solutions, we will keep reaching out to various organizations.

Climate and Environment Action Compendium

Compendium
10 October 2022
Climate and Environment Action Compendium
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Compendium image
Description

ICVA has created a compendium comprising of existing resources, guidance and tools on building resilience, risk analysis, adaptation, environment sustainability, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), mitigation, among others. The aim is to promote knowledge exchange and share existing resources and learning. Through this compendium, ICVA intends to capture the work that is already being done, to share it as widely as possible, and to inspire others to action. Resources in the compendium are organized by categories and keywords. To improve and keep it up to date with new initiatives and solutions, we will keep reaching out to various organizations.

IASC Guidance on Environmental Responsibility in Humanitarian Operations

This guidance provides information on why environmental responsibility is important for humanitarian organizations and how they can take action to reduce their environmental footprint. It outlines key elements of existing environmental management guidance which have been adapted to the particularities of humanitarian organizations.

The guidance places a focus on senior management and their role in mainstreaming environmental considerations throughout the organization. It also provides practical advice for project planners aiming to maximize the environmental sustainability of humanitarian programmes and projects.

The document includes example boxes, further reading lists, links, tools, glossary definitions and supplementary information in its annex for reference.

Read the Guidance below.

 

IASC Guidance on Environmental Responsibility in Humanitarian Operations

Guidance
24 November 2023
IASC Guidance on Environmental Responsibility in Humanitarian Operations
Subject/ Environment / IASC /
Guidance Visual
Description

The Guidance outlines the importance of environmental responsibility in humanitarian action and how to improve environmental sustainability within humanitarian organizations. It includes adapted elements of existing environmental management guidance, such as ISO 14001, to reflect the particulars of humanitarian organizations and their operations.

Click on the link below to read the Guidance.

Embracing Discomfort – A call to enable Finance for Climate-change Adaptation in Conflict Settings

The paper focuses on the political will needed for the international community to step out of its comfort zone when it comes to channelling climate finance for climate-change adaptation. Current mechanisms are characterised by low risk appetites, cumbersome technical and procedural requirements, inflexibility of scales, siloed structures that inhibit collaboration across conflict and climate expertise, and the inability to optimise the expertise and access of organisations across different sectors. It offers recommendations on how to address these challenges in concrete terms, with examples of good practice on which progress might build.

The paper is jointly issued by the International Committee for the Red Cross, ODI, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies, MercyCorps, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, World Food Programme and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Embracing Discomfort – A call to enable Finance for Climate-change Adaptation in Conflict Settings

Policy Brief
25 October 2022
Embracing Discomfort - A call to enable Finance for Climate-change Adaptation in Conflict Settings
Subject/ Climate & environment / Financing /
Policy brief
Description

The paper focuses on the political will needed for the international community to step out of its comfort zone when it comes to channelling climate finance for climate-change adaptation. Current mechanisms are characterised by low risk appetites, cumbersome technical and procedural requirements, inflexibility of scales, siloed structures that inhibit collaboration across conflict and climate expertise, and the inability to optimise the expertise and access of organisations across different sectors. It offers recommendations on how to address these challenges in concrete terms, with examples of good practice on which progress might build.

The paper is jointly issued by the International Committee for the Red Cross, ODI, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies, MercyCorps, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, World Food Programme and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Implementing the Climate Charter - Analysis and mapping of expertise available to signatories on the implementation of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations

The report was commissioned by DG ECHO through Groupe URD.

The mapping initiative is aimed to provide concise and comprehensive analysis of the support available to the Charter signatories, with a particular focus on:

  • what is already available and how it is accessible to humanitarian organisations;
  • the obstacles to accessing it;
  • existing gaps;
  • existing structures that could be scaled up; and,
  • the best structure to provide adequate support.
Implementing the Climate Charter - Analysis and mapping of expertise available to signatories on the implementation of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations

Report
5 April 2023
Implementing the Climate Charter - Analysis and mapping of expertise available to signatories on the implementation of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Implementing the Climate Charter 1
Description

The report “Implementing the Climate Charter: Analysis and mapping of expertise available to signatories on the implementation of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations” was commissioned by DG ECHO through Groupe URD.

Climate Change and Humanitarian Action Learning Stream Resources

A list of useful resources from ICVA and PHAP webinars on Climate Change and Humanitarian Action Learning Stream. 

Resources

Resources
15 August 2022
Resources - Topic 7 Climate change loss and damage
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Elearning resources
Description

Check out useful resources and further reading related to Topic 7 – Understanding Climate Change Loss and Damage and links to Humanitarian Action

E-learning Resources
17 June 2022
Topic 6 – The Road to COP27: Why should Humanitarian NGOs Engage?
Subject/ Climate & environment / Learning /
E-learning Resources
Description

Check out useful resources including event polls and PowerPoint presentations around Commitment 6 of the Climate and Environment Charter.

E-learning Resources
14 April 2022
Topic 5 Resources - Understanding and Integrating Climate and Environment Risk Data in Humanitarian Action
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Elearning resources
Description

Check out useful resources around Commitment 4 of the Climate and Environment Charter.

E-learning resource
21 February 2022
Topic 4 Resources: Embracing the Leadership of Local Actors and Communities in Climate Action
Subject/ Climate & environment /
E-learning Resources
Description

Useful resources on embracing the leadership of local actors and communities in climate action.

E-learning resource
31 January 2022
Topic 3 Resources: Practical Tools and Initiatives for reducing Environmental Impact in Humanitarian Action
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Practical Tools and Initiatives for reducing Environmental Impact in Humanitarian Action
Description

Useful resources on practical tools and initiatives for reducing environmental impact in humanitarian action.

E-learning resource
15 November 2021
Resources on maximising the environmental sustainability of our work
Subject/ Learning / Environment /
ICVA
25 October 2021
Reading Materials on Climate Change and Humanitarian Action
Subject/ Climate & environment / Cross-cutting issues /
ICVA
25 October 2021
ICVA 2021 Annual Conference Key Take - Aways
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Key take aways
ICVA
25 October 2021
ICVA 2021 Annual Conference - Links of Initiatives on early warning, resilience integration, nature based solutions, NEAT+ Tool, and carbon accounting
Subject/ Climate & environment / Annual Conference /
AC 2021 - Sessions & Speakers
Meeting materials
13 August 2021
ICVA 2021 Annual Conference Report
Subject/ ICVA / Environment /
AC2021 Report

Partnerships...

In response to the increasing number of humanitarian climate crises, ICVA has partnered with various organisations....
Read More Double Arrow light blue
ICVA Joins Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP)

ICVA has joined the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP). Through this partnership ICVA members have access to a global network of expertise to support their work across the full value chain of Early Warning Early Action interventions. The partnership will enable and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and solutions and fosters greater collaboration, including new partnerships, by bringing together the capacities and unique capabilities of the climate, development, hydrometeorological and humanitarian communities.  

REAP represent donor and climate-vulnerable countries, UN and other major international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

  • Please contact Nishanie Jayamaha, ICVA’s Learning and Climate Change Programme Coordinator via email nishanie.jayamaha@icvanetwork.org on how you can engage with REAP. 

 

 

ICVA Joins the Anticipation Hub

ICVA has joined the Anticipation Hub which was launched in December 2020 as a platform facilitating knowledge exchange, learning, guidance, and advocacy around anticipatory action both virtually and in-person. Anticipation Hub’s priorities are to stimulate knowledge exchange and learning, provide guidance and support and promoting policy and advocacy through active engagement in global initiative and events. Their vision, aims and values are further detailed in their 3-year strategy.

  • Please contact Nishanie Jayamaha, ICVA’s Learning and Climate Change Programme Coordinator via email nishanie.jayamaha@icvanetwork.org on how you can engage with Anticipation Hub.

Background:

The Anticipation Hub is a joint initiative between the German Red Cross (GRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. The Anticipation Hub brings together 97+ partners across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, universities, research institutes, NGOs, UN agencies, governments, donors, and network initiatives.

Flyer
9 August 2022
Anticipation Hub Flyer
Subject/ Climate & environment /
Anticipation hub flyer
Description

The Anticipation Hub is a platform to facilitate knowledge exchange, learning, guidance, and advocacy around anticipatory action both virtually and in-person.

ICVA’s Commitment and Motion to Action on Climate and Environment Action...

The ICVA Commitment and Motion to Action are an initial step to address climate change as in the 2022-2024 Strategic Priorities....
Read More Double Arrow light blue
Overview

ICVA is a Signatory to the Climate and Environment Charter. We will continue our commitment in engaging on this theme through the Commitment and

Motion to Action on Climate and Environment adopted by ICVA members at the General Assembly of 18-19 May 2021.

ICVA strategy
12 July 2021
ICVA 2030 Strategy
Subject/ ICVA /
ICVA 2030
Description

This document sets the framework for the direction and focus of ICVA’s work from 2022-2030, as we evolve and transform our network. Rooting us more deeply in our mission of principled and effective humanitarian action, this strategy sets our collective values, our ways of working and our aspirational transformations. We will continue to work on focus areas which to best serve our members and the sector as a whole. Our added value is rooted in our work explaining & analysing, convening, brokering, influencing & advocating, supporting and collaborating.

This strategy was adopted by members at the 18th General Assembly in May 2021.

ICVA Governance
26 May 2021
Commitment and Motion to Action on Climate and Environment
Subject/ ICVA / Climate & environment /
Policy/Guidance
1 December 2018
ICVA Environmental Policy
Subject/ Environment /
ICVA Environmental Policy
Policy
11 May 2022
ICVA Environmental Policy 2022
Subject/ Climate & environment /
ICVA Environmental Policy
Description

The revised policy establishes practices and guidelines for ICVA Secretariat to effectively reduce the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of its activities while carrying out its operations.

For more information on the Climate and Environment Charter or to join ICVA’s Climate and Environment working group, contact: nishanie.jayamaha@icvanetwork.org.