adelphi’s New Publications on Climate Diplomacy
adelphi has released two new publications in an endeavour to illustrate the rationale and results of the joint engagement by adelphi and the German Federal Foreign Office in climate diplomacy activities. The climate diplomacy initiative helps foster a response to climate change that is commensurate with its status as one of the key foreign policy challenges of the 21st century. Hundreds of decision-makers and experts as well as thousands of citizens have participated in regional roundtables from Bogotá to New Delhi, executive briefings and consultations from Wellington to Port of Spain, and events at climate conferences from Durban to Doha. The initiative’s new flagship publication “Climate Diplomacy: New Approaches for Foreign Policy” documents this ambitious political process. As part of the initiative, a touring exhibition “Environment, Conflict and Cooperation” visualises the impact of global environmental change. It is available in English, German, Chinese, and Portuguese. The booklet now published pictures the topics and regions covered in the exhibition.
The surge in the frequency and intensity of climate change impacts has raised the alarm about how this could hamper coastal activities. Several critical ports in the Indo-Pacific region are hubs of international trade and commerce and at the same time vulnerable to typhoons, taller waves and erosion. India’s climate diplomacy at the regional level could activate climate-resilient pathways for port development and management.
After an 18-month stretch without a White House science adviser – the longest any modern president has gone without a science adviser – Trump appoints extreme weather expert Kelvin Droegemeier to the post. Kelvin Droegemeier is vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma and a climate change scientist. His selection was widely welcomed.
UN issues warning of climate instability across Arab region
Climate change threatens conflict and poverty in the Arab region, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP). In a report published last week, the agency suggested climate risks could derail development gains, such as the decrease in infant mortality and the achievement of near universal primary education.
The links between climate change and security have started entering regional resolutions through the UN Security Council. Germany, elected for a seat on the Council in 2019-20, will again prioritize climate-related security risks as one of its main agendas. What prospects does a renewed engagement on climate security risks offer and is there scope for preventive participation?