Christina Chan, a senior climate hub director at BRAC and former managing director at the US Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, recently discussed climate finance, adaptation projects, and resilience with Sifat Afrin Shams from The Daily Star.
When asked about the impact of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, Chan highlighted the negative effects on countries like Bangladesh. She emphasized the detrimental message sent by the withdrawal, weakening global momentum and hindering climate finance, especially affecting developing nations.
Regarding the challenges in delivering climate finance to local levels, Chan pointed out complexities in funding systems and top-down project designs that do not align with community needs. She stressed the importance of simplifying processes and empowering local organizations to access funds effectively.
Chan emphasized BRAC’s gender-focused climate action approach, recognizing women’s vulnerability to climate impacts and their crucial role in adaptation. She emphasized the need for inclusive strategies that address gender disparities and empower women in climate resilience efforts.
Discussing successful frugal innovations in climate adaptation, Chan highlighted community-led solutions that effectively utilize limited resources. Examples included promoting salt-tolerant crops like sunflowers and using solar-powered water pumps for irrigation in coastal areas.
Looking ahead, Chan expressed hope for prioritizing adaptation efforts in the Global South, emphasizing the importance of transformative adaptation to address underlying vulnerabilities and promote equity and sustainability.
In terms of ensuring climate finance serves principles of equity and responsibility, Chan emphasized the need for demand-driven financing that prioritizes communities most affected by climate change. She called for greater transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in funding processes to support marginalized groups and advance gender equity.
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