Human-induced climate change is producing significant changes in the planet's climate system. Increases in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns are some of the effects already visualized in different regions of the planet, mainly affecting the most vulnerable populations that depend on their natural environment. Sergio Hinojosa, UNV International Specialist in FAO, supports the member states to achieve their objectives related to sustainable food and agriculture and resilience of rural livelihoods, by implementing their policies and commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (mainly SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 13), the Rio Conventions, the Paris Agreement, and other related treaties, through sustainable management of land, soils, water, biodiversity and genetic resources.
Faced with the challenges caused by climate change, 194 countries have come together and created the Green Climate Fund (GCF), through which they hope to mobilize funds to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and to achieve the adaptation of vulnerable populations in developing countries.
Sergio Hinojosa, UNV International Specialist in FAO, supports the member states to achieve their objectives related to sustainable food and agriculture and resilience of rural livelihoods, by implementing their policies and commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (mainly SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 13), the Rio Conventions, the Paris Agreement, and other related treaties, through sustainable management of land, soils, water, biodiversity and genetic resources. Since 2016, the GCF is an accredited agency committed to achieving a paradigm shift towards low-emission, climate-resilient development. Currently, FAO has two GCF funded proposals approved in Latin America and the Caribbean: PROEZA in Paraguay and RECLIMA in El Salvador. These projects pave the way for the transfer of USD 25 million and USD 36 million respectively, and leverage USD 155 million of co-financing from national governments, favouring more than 122,000 direct beneficiaries and promoting climate-resilient agriculture to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.
The work is carried out in the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. Sergio contributes through the management of the GCF portfolio and supports the design of funding proposals in 15 countries of the region. By 2021, they are targeting to mobilize around 800 million dollars (including national co-financing) in the fight to combat climate change. In 2018, they achieved the approval of 2 funding proposals and 4 readiness proposals for a total of USD 219 million.
In addition, they support the different national country offices and governments of the region (national authorities designated to the GCF) and strengthen their capacities through workshops, webinars and dissemination material.
“I had the opportunity to participate in the Regional Dialogue of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (February 18-20, 2019), and learn about the different experiences and realities of indigenous representatives from 19 countries, including indigenous peoples' organizations at the regional and national levels, regarding the impacts and adaptation measures taken in the face of Climate Change. The Dialogue was organized by the Government of Nicaragua, the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) and FAO, and was financed through GCF Readiness Funds. The objective was to strengthen the role of the region's Indigenous Peoples in the various climate finance schemes” – Sergio Hinojosa, international UN Volunteer.