Mr Tomas Anker Christensen, Climate Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark (right), and Dr Paula Vivili, the Pacific Community's Deputy Director-General Science and Capability (left) at COP28, Dubai.
The Pacific Community (SPC) and the Kingdom of Denmark have signed an agreement that will provide €5 million to support Pacific countries to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change.
This funding will support climate-induced loss and damage caused by and support the response to both economic and non-economic impacts caused by climate change in the region.
Mr Tomas Anker Christensen, Climate Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Dr Paula Vivili, SPC’s Deputy Director-General Science and Capability, signed the agreement at an event on Loss and Damage at the Moana Pavilion on the first day of the 28th UNFCCC Council of Parties (COP) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The signing bolsters the partnership between the Pacific and the Kingdom of Denmark after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Suva, Fiji, in April 2023 by the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy to support work on climate-induced loss and damage in the region. The funding of €5 million underscores the collaborative spirit between the Pacific region and Denmark, aimed at enhancing the region's resilience and fortifying adaptive measures against climate change’s impact.
Loss and damage are particularly crucial for the Pacific as they address the severe, irreversible consequences of climate change that extend beyond adaptation and mitigation, impacting communities, livelihoods, cultural heritage, and overall resilience in the face of escalating climate-related challenges. This signing showcases Denmark’s dedication and shared responsibility with SPC to build a sustainable future for vulnerable Pacific communities.
"Denmark is a small country in Northern Europe, far away from the Pacific. For years, I have heard representatives from the Pacific at the climate conferences give testimony to the dire situation in the region. Earlier this year, I visited the region and saw with my own eyes how climate change is already affecting the Pacific Island Countries. What I saw left a huge impression. With this cooperation, Denmark will assist Pacific Island Countries in assessing climate-induced loss and damage and enable local communities planning for the future. I want to demonstrate to the region that Denmark has heard your call for support and stands ready to help” says HE Mr Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy.
"This collaboration exemplifies the strength that comes from working together. The funding from Denmark will play a crucial role in fortifying our region against the adverse impacts of climate change, showcasing the effectiveness of collective action,” stated Dr Paula Vivili during the signing ceremony.
This signing comes as global negotiations are ongoing at COP28, where the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund is a key priority for Pacific nations and where both Pacific and Danish Leaders are continuing to call for greater ambition to limit global emissions to 1.5 degrees of warming, embodying the collaborative approaches needed to address the immensity of the existential crisis of the climate emergency.
Media Contacts:
Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Department | +45 6197 9247
Pacific Community (SPC), Climate Change Flagship Programme, Communication Officer Angelica Salele | [email protected] or Whatsapp: +685 7575576. For general media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
About COP28:
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a crucial global gathering where nations come together to discuss and negotiate strategies to address climate change. The conference aims to advance international cooperation and agreements on climate action, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
About the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Danish Foreign Service is a globally operating organisation. We work for Denmark’s interests and values in relation to the surrounding world in a manner that furthers the freedom, security and welfare of Danes in a more peaceful and just world, with development and economic growth for all. www.um.dk/en
About SPC:
The Pacific Community has been supporting sustainable development in the Pacific, through science, knowledge and innovation since 1947. It is the principal intergovernmental organisation in the region, owned and governed by its 27 member countries and territories. www.spc.int
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