PURPOSE OF THIS TOOL ABOUT THE TOOL

ICLEI ACCCRN PROCESS 163 DURBAN ADAPTATION CHARTER

1. PURPOSE OF THIS TOOL

There are many cities around the world that have started to take climate action similar to the ICLEI ACCCRN process you have commenced. In addition to working at the local level, your city can join an international movement of cities tackling climate change. One way of doing this is to join ICLEI. Another is to sign the Durban Adaptation Charter so that your city makes public its commitment to climate resilience.

2. ABOUT THE TOOL

The Durban Adaptation Charter was launched at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC Conference of the Parties COP 17 held in the City of Durban eThekwini Municipality, South Africa in December 2011. The South African Government, through the South African Local Government Association SALGA, South African Cities Network SACN, eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Environmental Affairs partnered with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability in hosting the Durban Local Government Convention: adapting to a changing climate - towards COP17CMP7 and beyond. The initial signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter by 114 signatories, representing 950 local governments organisations from 27 countries builds on the recognition of local governments as government stakeholders in the Cancun Agreement. By going through the ICLEI ACCCRN Process your city government has started taking action towards making your city more climate resilient. The signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter will enable your city to reach out to a larger audience and showcase its commitment and actions for climate resilience on an international platform. The Commitment By committing to the Durban Adaptation Charter, your city will demonstrate its political will to address climate change, pledging to enhance its local adaptive capacity, mainstreaming adaptation in local government planning, and instigate greater resilience to climate change. The Durban Adaptation Charter commits Local Governments to local climate action in their jurisdiction that will assist their communities to respond to and cope with climate change risks thereby reducing vulnerability. By signing the Durban Adaptation Charter they commit to inter alia: 1. Key information of all local government development planning; 2. Ensuring that adaptation strategies are aligned with mitigation strategies; 3. Promoting the use of adaptation that recognizes the needs of vulnerable communities and ensuring sustainable local economic development; 4. Prioritizing the role of functioning ecosystems as core municipal green infrastructure; 5. Seeking innovative funding mechanisms. How to sign the Charter In order to sign the charter your local government or association of local governments can visit the web link for the charter at following address: http:www.durbanadaptationcharter.org

3. FURTHER RESOURCES, LINKS The Durban Adaptation Charter, http:www.durbanadaptationcharter.org