Author: Bapon Fakhruddin
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Financing the Future at COP30: Climate-Resilient Water Systems through Blended Models
As global climate finance efforts intensify in the COP30, blended finance has emerged as a pivotal mechanism for mobilizing private capital toward climate-resilient infrastructure. Between 2019 and 2024, climate blended finance mobilized over $77 billion globally, with $15.5 billion deployed in 2024 alone. Efficiency gains are evident that each concessional dollar now attracts $4.14 in…
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Water as the Foundation of Climate Action at COP30
At COP30 in Belém, water emerged as a cross-cutting cornerstone of climate action, uniting adaptation, finance, and sustainable development agendas worldwide. High-level dialogues positioned climate-resilient water systems as foundational to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals, emphasizing that no adaptation or mitigation plan will succeed unless it starts with water.Investing in #WaterSecurity drives #ClimateResilience, strengthens #FoodSecurity,…
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Water at the Heart of Climate Finance and Adaptation
Climate change is a water crisis. Floods, droughts, and water scarcity are intensifying worldwide, underscoring that water security must be at the forefront of climate resilience strategies. As the global community prepares for COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, aligning water management with climate finance is no longer optional – it is urgent and strategic. The…
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Global Hydrometeorological Excellence Award 2025
I’m deeply honoured to receive the Global Hydrometeorological Excellence Award 2025 for Global Leadership in Meteorology and Climate Action. This recognition reflects the collective effort of colleagues, partners, and organisations committed to advancing climate resilience and sustainable water management. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported and collaborated with me on this journey.…
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Climate Change, Intra-Migration and the Future of Resilient Cities
Climate change is increasingly driving intra-migration toward urban centres, especially in vulnerable regions. Cities must prepare for rising pressures on housing, services, and governance systems to protect vulnerable populations and ensure sustainable urban development. Data-driven planning and cross-sector coordination are essential to anticipate future migration trends and build adaptive, equitable urban systems. We are working…
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Social Protection as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience
Though separated by geography, ecosystems, and biodiversity, #Brazil, #Zimbabwe, and #Vanuatu share a story of climate vulnerability. But more importantly, they tell a story of resilience and innovation, one that puts the protection of people at the heart of climate action. Social protection is not a new solution. For decades, it has been a cornerstone…
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Fund Resilience, Not Disaster: Prioritising Climate Risk Reduction
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…
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Blended Finance for Early Warning Systems: A Smart Investment for Climate Resilience
We are in an era of systemic, interconnected, and cascading climate risks. Tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves are intensifying in both frequency and severity. The cost of inaction is rising exponentially, and our current financing models are not keeping pace. This is a humanitarian crisis and fundamentally a market failure, manifesting as failures in…
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Reflections from Yoshitomo Nara: Art, Empathy, and Our Shared Responsibility
Two weeks ago, I attended the Yoshitomo Nara exhibition in London, and its profound humanity deeply moved me. Nara’s wide-eyed, childlike figures, with their gazes of defiance, melancholy, and serenity, seem to reflect our own emotions and struggles. They remind us of our vulnerability, our resilience, and our connection to home, community, and the natural…
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Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: Guardians of Nature on Indigenous Peoples Day
Today, as we gather to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the wisdom, resilience, and profound contributions of Indigenous communities who have cared for this planet since time immemorial. Across oceans, mountains, forests, and plains, Indigenous Peoples have been the guardians of Earth’s most precious ecosystems. Their voices remind us of a simple yet profound…
Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD 