Nicola Sturgeon to address international leaders at Bonn Intersessional climate change conference

The First Minister will call on international leaders to take action to address climate change this week at an international conference.

At the Bonn Intersessional in Germany on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon will stress the climate emergency is the single most significant and urgent challenge the world faces.

Despite international efforts to tackle global warming, some climate impacts are now unavoidable and will continue to lead to loss of life and huge financial damage in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.

Scotland is amongst the first developed nations to pledge finance to address loss and damage, with Sturgeon committing £2m to the cause during COP26.

Speaking to the conference, she is expected to detail the range of actions Scotland is taking to address loss and damage, including sharing best practice in tackling loss and damage and coordinating global action at a Scottish Government hosted international conference this autumn.

Funding the Stockholm Environment Institute to deliver new research and evidence papers on operationalising loss and damage finance will be highlighted, as well as a grant funded through the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund to address the loss and damage experienced in Malawi as a result of Tropical Storm Ana.

In a video address to the conference, Sturgeon is expected to tell leaders: “The programmes we are supporting represent an important first step – in showing how finance for loss and damage can deliver practical benefits.

“That is important – particularly as we look ahead to COP27 in Egypt.

“At that summit, we still need to see developed countries stepping up – and showing a much greater commitment to address loss and damage.

“However, action from devolved, state and regional governments – as well as civil society – will also be vital, in driving progress.

“We saw that at COP26 – where Scotland’s commitment on loss and damage was supplemented by a commitments from Wallonia, and a number of philanthropies.

“And we see it now – as we start to turn those commitments into practical action.

“This event is a very welcome opportunity to consider what more non-state actors and non-party governments can do ahead of COP27 – to show leadership, build momentum and develop the evidence base for further action.”