SPÖ-Bayr calls for more climate adaptation financing for fragile states

On the occasion of the International Day for the Prevention of Exploitation of the Environment in Wars and Armed Conflicts on November 6th, SPÖ MP Petra Bayr, spokesperson for foreign policy and global development, emphasizes the urgency of a fairer distribution of international financial resources. While global military spending rose to an unprecedented $2.4 trillion in 2023, climate adaptation financing remains severely underfunded for the countries most affected by the impacts of climate change. “In 2021, the ten most fragile countries in the world received just $269 million to adapt to the devastating climate impacts. This is less than 1 percent of the total global funding for climate adaptation, which was around $28.3 billion. This shows a dramatic misprioritization: While global military spending continues to skyrocket, the poorest and most unstable regions are left to fend for themselves,” explains Bayr. ****

The MP warns of the consequences if environmental destruction and the climate catastrophe in fragile states are continued to be ignored: “We are facing a vicious circle. The destruction of the environment is not only a consequence of conflicts, it can also trigger new tensions and conflicts. In addition, citizens who already suffer from unstable political conditions are particularly affected by the devastating effects of the climate catastrophe.” The increasing military budgets compared to stagnating climate financing are an undesirable development that urgently needs to be corrected, said Bayr.

Bayr is therefore calling for a clear and decisive realignment of international financial flows in favor of financing measures to reduce global warming and adaptation measures: “It is high time that we reset our priorities and prioritize long-term stability and the protection of natural resources over short-term, military demonstrations of power place. Every country has a responsibility to take the climate crisis and its impacts seriously – especially towards the people in the most affected, fragile states. The upcoming COP 29, which will take place in Baku between November 11th and 22nd, 2024, offers a decisive opportunity to do this, provided that the confessions are followed by actions.” (Conclusion) bj