Yemen’s attendance is especially interesting this year, seeing the environmental shifts the country has been dealing with recently. Over the past couple of years, Yemen has experienced a staggering increase in the frequency of cyclones, with six striking the country, compared to the four it faced in the previous 25 years. On October 23 and 24, Tropical Cyclone Tej struck the eastern parts of the country, causing significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and health facilities. The human cost of this natural disaster amounted to around seven deaths and 1,000 displaced individuals according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This climate extreme serves as a stark reminder of the profound influence of climate change on a nation already burdened by a nine-year-long violent conflict. This conflict has resulted in substantial humanitarian, economic, and environmental consequences. The environmental fallout of the armed conflict has been severe, damaging the government’s and institutions’ ability to respond to the effects of climate change. Simultaneously, the human toll has been devastating, with livelihoods deteriorating and nearly 80% of Yemen’s population now dependent on humanitarian aid.
Yemen will be positioned at a great disadvantage in facing future impacts of climate change. Preoccupied with conflict, it has not formed a plan for climate adaptation, nor any programs to limit the effects of climate change. In fact, Yemen lacks adequate environmental management policies and climate change adaptation strategies. For example, in 2020, Yemen was highly impacted by heavy rain at unusually high levels. The country’s infrastructure was not ready to face such a situation. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement: “In mid-April 2020, torrential rains and torrents in the northern governorates, including Ma’rib, resulted in casualties and the destruction of property and sites belonging to the displaced.” According to FAO’s early warning bulletin for Yemen in June 2023, “Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, thus further compromising the stability of food systems. This is particularly detrimental to vulnerable communities that rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods and food supply.”
Climate change is intensifying Yemen’s existing economic challenges and creating new obstacles to accessing essential resources such as water and food. Shifting rainfall patterns, which occasionally lead to flooding, have significantly impacted agricultural production. Conversely, prolonged droughts accompanied with declining groundwater supplies have further strained agricultural output. In northern Yemen’s Sada, excessive rainfall damaged 75% of this year’s pomegranate harvest, posing a serious threat to the agriculture sector that contributed to the income of more than half of Yemen’s population. According to the World Bank, Yemen has experienced significant warming of its climate, which has been accompanied by extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and water shortages. These events highlight the current visibility of climate change consequences and pose a threat to water and food security.
Yemen’s Climate Finance Situation
The original 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change endorsed the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” aiming for climate justice by requiring wealthier nations, responsible for higher emissions, to financially support poorer economies. However, the reality has fallen far short of this principle.
In 2009, global climate negotiations pledged to provide $100 billion annually to wealthy nations, but by 2020, only 8% of the total funds –$83.3 billion– had been directed to low-income countries, primarily in the form of loans. As of January 2022, Yemen, along with other conflict-affected Middle Eastern nations like Syria and Iraq, has received a mere $20.6 million for 19 projects covering adaptation projects. This total represents less than 0.5% of the global funds disbursed.
Vulnerable countries like Yemen, only contribute 0.07% of the global emissions that lead to global warming. “Yemen, as one of the most affected states by climate change, deserves increased attention and financial support under the banner of climate justice,” said Sarine Karajerjian, Program Director of the Environmental Politics Division at the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI).
Challenges in Climate Funding
The assistance provided by the 39 affluent nations, who committed to aid poorer countries due to their significant contributions to global emissions, has fallen short of expectations. A substantial portion of the pledged funds is directed towards projects that do not align with mitigation and adaptation objectives. For instance, according to an investigative report published by Reuters, Japan has supported initiatives such as expanding Egypt’s airport and constructing a coal plant in Bangladesh, which do not qualify as climate financing.
Until recently, there has been a lack of clear guidelines defining what constitutes climate funding, with most financial assistance being provided in the form of loans. This current structure excludes fragile nations with weak governance structures such as Yemen from accessing climate funds. Additionally, the ongoing security situation in Yemen has hindered the implementation of long-term adaptation projects.
According to Karajerjian, Yemen, like several countries in the region, faces various challenges related to security and inadequate governance, which hinders the implementation of effective environmental policies.
The current conflict, which contributes to weakening the capacity of government institutions, has obstructed Yemen’s access to climate change funding and addressing its financial needs. Environmental government agencies, like the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Yemen Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), temporarily halted operations due to the conflict. They have since resumed, partially, with the support of international funding. However there are additional challenges arising from the conflict, particularly the presence of two governments—the internationally recognized government (IRG) and the de facto authority (DFA) government. As such, this affects the funding flow. For instance, in August 2021, GCF allocated funds to FAO for the ‘Strengthening of the National Designated Authority in Yemen and Enabling Strategic Frameworks for Engagement with the Green Climate Fund’, However, this funding has primarily targeted the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in areas controlled by the IRG, while other areas are deprived from the benefits of this project. Furthermore, as the conflict escalated, many sustainable projects were postponed, including large-scale rural development projects that were eventually terminated in 2015.
Due to the strict governance requirements, Yemen has limited access to climate finance mechanisms, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which supports NGOs in implementing climate change-related projects. However, grants for local NGOs do not exceed $50,000 USD and often face significant delays in project approval. For example, the GEF-funded project “Resilient and Sustainable Livelihoods for Rural Yemen” was submitted to GEF in March 2020 but was only approved in October 2022.
How to Enhance Climate Justice for Yemen
The convergence of climate change-induced disasters and the ongoing conflict underscores the pressing need for enhanced climate finance initiatives. Climate finance funding entities such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNDP, and FAO should provide support to government institutions and local organizations in building their capacity to fill the funding gap and increasing access to climate and environmental finance.
To address these challenges, a restructuring of foreign aid is imperative, along with a novel approach to risk assessment and greater collaboration between climate and humanitarian stakeholders.
“Peacebuilding efforts should intersect with climate and humanitarian initiatives to provide comprehensive risk assessments and operational strategies, ultimately enhancing community adaptation in conflict-affected regions,” said Ruba Ajjor, Manager of Climate Change Studies at the Royal Scientific Society. “Climate funding should also be flexible enough to support and bolster local adaptation measures.”
Yemen is at a critical juncture, where climate change and conflict are converging to create a dire humanitarian crisis. Urgent action is required from both the international community and local stakeholders to provide the necessary funding, support, and expertise to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change and conflict in Yemen.
Climate Finance Priorities and Negotiations at COP28
This year, the conference is placing significant emphasis on climate financing, deeming progress in this area as a pivotal factor for the summit’s overall success, as noted by both observers and activists. The Yemeni delegation is engaged in negotiations within various blocs, including the Arab bloc, the bloc representing the least developed countries, and the Group of 77 and China, according to Abdullwaheed Arman, the manager of the Climate Change Unit affiliated with the Yemeni Ministry of Environment.
For the Yemeni negotiating delegation, securing financing takes precedence, with a particular focus on the Loss and Damage Fund and funding aimed at adapting to the impacts of climate change. The Loss and Damage Fund, announced in last year’s COP27 in Egypt, stands out as one of the most critical topics for developing countries, anticipating advancements in the negotiations concerning the fund’s operational mechanism.
As of now, clarity is lacking. Since the announcement of the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund, there is a dearth of precise information on how countries affected by the consequences of climate change can derive benefits from the fund. Observers anticipate that the outcomes of COP28 will feature recommendations characterized by heightened transparency and realism in addressing the needs of affected countries.
As Yemen navigates the challenges posed by the intersection of climate change and the ongoing conflict, the urgency for concrete action and support becomes increasingly apparent. COP28 presents a crucial opportunity for Yemen to address its climate crisis, emphasizing the need for justice and substantial climate finance. The devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclone Tej, combined with the long-lasting conflict, underscore the critical importance of comprehensive climate policies and adaptation strategies. Yemen’s plea for increased attention and financial support aligns with the principles of climate justice, emphasizing the responsibility of wealthier nations to aid those most affected.
For COP28 to be a success, it is imperative that climate finance priorities are restructured, and foreign aid is realigned to address the specific needs of Yemen. The Loss and Damage Fund holds particular significance, and the outcomes of COP28 are anticipated to bring clarity and transparency to its operational mechanisms. The success of COP28 will be measured not only by the commitments made but also by the tangible steps taken to provide immediate relief and long-term resilience plans for Yemen in the face of its climate crisis.
