International Aid Agency, World Vision, Confirms Commitments to Climate Change Priorities at COP28 

Dubai – Following the final outcomes at COP28 climate conference in Dubai, World Vision confirms commitments to its programming that helps children, their families and communities most impacted by the climate crisis.   

Yukiko Yamada Morovic, World Vision’s lead at COP28 says, “Without doubt, the decisions confirmed after two weeks of difficult negotiations include important progress for the world’s most vulnerable children. Major commitments on funding for “Loss and Damage” caused by climate change, increased commitments to fund efforts to adapt to climate change and a commitment to triple support for renewable energy—these are all significant outcomes and now we need to see them implemented. We are also pleased that many children and young people attended COP and were able to speak directly to decision makers.”   

For the first time, COP included a strong focus on food security and hunger. Taissa, a 13-year-old Indigenous girl from Brazil, was part of the World Vision delegation to COP and was able to share her insights with world leaders. In an event on food security, Taissa urged action to address the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on food, noting that, “hunger caused by climate change is removing the dignity of people.” 

Continues Yamada Morovic, “Children bring a sense of urgency that is too often missing from global discussions. They are experiencing the impact of climate change every day and can’t wait years for action—they need it and deserve it right now.” 

Another first at COP was the acknowledgment of the importance of faith and faith communities in addressing climate change. World Vision participated in several events at the first ever “COP Faith Pavilion”, where representatives from faith groups from around the world discussed their contributions to addressing the impacts of the climate crisis at the community level.   

COP ended with a strong focus on the need for the world to transition away from fossil fuels, responsible for the majority of historic and current greenhouse gas emissions. While many delegates had hoped for stronger language, this was the first time that such a transition was even named in a COP agreement.   

Looking ahead, World Vision is pleased that the final COP28 outcomes include greater recognition of the importance of child empowerment and participation as children are disproportionately impacted by climate change and their rights have not been given sufficient focus in past agreements. “We will continue to work with children to help ensure that commitments made at COP28 are implemented and that the voices of children have a greater role in future negotiations and decisions,” said Morovic.   

ENDS. 

Previous World Vision statement on food systems HERE 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES OR INTERVIEWS CONTACT:  

Susannah Cernojevich | Communications Advisor | susannah_cernojevich@wvi.org | Phone: +1 202-276-2322 

Jan Butter | Director of Impact Communications | jan_butter@wvi.org | Skype: jhbutter | Phone: +44 788 940 0889 

Dirk Bathe | Communications WV Germany| dirk.bathe@wveu.org | Phone: +49 175 187 9525 (In US GMT-5)  

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice.  World Vision and their partners are working in communities to improve families’ economic prospects, strength violence prevention and child protection services, and improve education systems.   

World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.  For more information, please visit World Vision Hunger Crisis, World Vision @COP28, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @WorldVision