FAO statement at ECOSOC HAS side event – Displacement and the Climate Crisis: The imperative of localized, inclusive and gender-responsive climate action

 

ECOSOC HAS side event

Displacement and the Climate Crisis: The imperative of localized, inclusive and gender-responsive climate action

Statement by FAO, delivered by

Katherine Clyne, Knowledge Management for Sustainable Development Expert, FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Climate change and extreme weather events are already, unfortunately, becoming the new reality for so many in today’s world. Their length and severity is likely to increase, bringing negative impacts on natural resources and environment, and threatening human security. And we know that the livelihoods of agriculture dependent rural populations will be amongst the most severely affected.

Along with climate related threats, also comes the threat of displacement, as people are being forced to leave their communities due to climate-induced disasters, and the destruction or loss of their livelihoods.  However we must also acknowledge that in some instances, migration can also serve as an important coping strategy, diminishing disaster impacts by reducing exposure to climate hazards, and contributing to community adaptation. Yet, structural inequalities, including gender inequality mean the choice to migrate is often not available to the most vulnerable, particularly women and girls.

It is important to acknowledge that in many situations, climate change and displacement can heighten existing inequalities, worsen the already disproportionate domestic work burden of women and girls, and intensify protection risks. During periods of drought and erratic rainfall, often caused or exacerbated by climate change, and during periods of displacement due to disaster, women are forced work harder to gather resources for their families, as well as fulfil care roles. This also has serious implications for girls, who often have to leave school to help the household manage the increased burden.   

Climate change also disproportionately impacts the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous peoples and local communities, including those engaged in nomadic pastoralism, fishing and farming. However, Indigenous knowledge can provide a unique understanding of how to cope with and adapt to environmental variability, and of sustainable management of natural resources. We must make sure this knowledge not only is respected but that Indigenous peoples and local communities are substantially included in planning, design and implementation of food and climate action related policy. 

FAO strongly believes that durable solutions to displacement, including climate-induced displacement, can only be achieved through a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach. 

FAO is committed to working together with governments, civil society, other UN agencies, host communities and displaced communities to support inclusive approaches to agriculture-based livelihoods, promote climate-change adaptation and seek durable solutions to displacement which respond to the needs of the most vulnerable groups.