Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD

Today, on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (#DRRday), I echo and amplify the message “Fund resilience, not disaster”. In simple terms, this means invest now in what will keep us safe, so we aren’t left paying the price of disasters later.

My highlights for two key priorities-

Significantly increase financing for climate risk reduction: Governments, donors, and institutions must prioritise innovative and fit-for-purpose financing/blended finance investments in reducing climate risks. This includes funding for climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and programs that help communities dynamically adapt to changing conditions. Currently, funding for climate adaptation and risk reduction is far below what is needed, often representing just a fraction of budgets and aid. Increasing investment by crowdsourcing finance climate risk reduction is essential for protecting vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Every dollar spent can save multiple dollars in future losses. This is particularly critical for countries already facing severe climate impacts, which often divert resources from development to emergency response.

Make all investments climate risk-informed: Every investment, whether public or private, must incorporate climate risk assessments to ensure resilience. Projects in sectors like water, transportation, energy, and agriculture should be designed to withstand climate impacts, such as extreme weather and rising temperatures, to understand probable maximum risk. The private sector and other sources of finance play a vital role by integrating climate resilience into business practices, ensuring long-term economic stability. Embedding climate risk reduction into all investments aligns with global goals like the #SDGs, #SFDRR and the Paris Agreement. We can safeguard development progress and build a sustainable future.
#RiskReduction #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAdaptation #ResilientCommunities #ClimateFinance #DisasterPrevention #GreenInfrastructure #SDGs #ParisAgreement #EcosystemProtection #InvestInResilience #ClimatePreparedness #FutureProofing