Temperatures are rising more rapidly in Yemen than the global average with projections suggesting that the country will endure longer droughts and heat waves in years to come. By 2060, temperatures may increase by as much as 3.3°C, and by the end of the century by 5.1°C.

Yemen also has the planet’s lowest water availability per capita. Groundwater use has surpassed replenishment capacity, while cyclones along the eastern coast and the island of Socotra have resulted in flash floods, wiping away fertile top soil and damaging infrastructure.

Unless concerted action is taken, Yemen is likely to experience more frequent and severe climatic disasters, water insecurity, food fragility and land degradation. With approximately 60 per cent of the population dependent on incomes generated through natural resources – and most of the displaced persons originating in rural areas – crisis response efforts will only be effective to the extent that they address medium-term climate risks.

This goal aims to mobilize USD $100 billion per year by 2020, to address the needs of developing countries to both adapt to climate change and invest in low-carbon development. This will complement efforts to integrate disaster risk measures, sustainable natural resource management, and human security to national development strategies. It is still possible – with strong political will, increased investment, and using existing technology – to limit the increase in global mean temperature to 2°C above per-industrial levels. This, however, will require urgent and ambitious collective action.