Climate change and environmental degradation require strategies that not only reduce the frequency and severity of associated shocks (mitigation), and relieve humanitarian needs, but also enable people and communities to better adapt to, manage and recover from the impact of events when they occur. An important relationship here is between CVA and pro-climate social protection. This isn’t a lens that is systematically applied to how these programmes are designed on either side, but it could bring notable benefits. Realizing the full potential of CVA regarding climate change requires a joined-up approach working beyond the usual boundaries and partnerships of humanitarian operations. This includes recognizing the central role of governments.

This webinar will explore the relationships between climate change, CVA, social protection and humanitarian response. Taking a broad approach, it will cover the fundamentals in understanding the functions of social protection in the context of the likely socio-economic impacts of the climate crisis, linkages to humanitarian programming, and a range of potential uses of CVA.

Moderators: 

• Céline Sinitzky Billard, Technical Advisor at the CALP Network, focal person on Social Protection and co-lead of the CVA, climate and environment Community of Practice
• Ruth McCormack, Technical Advisor at the CALP Network, Lead on Tracking and co-lead of the CVA, climate and environment Community of Practice

Presenters & Panellist (more to be confirmed): 

• Anna McCord, Co-founder & Lead of Climate Change and Social Protection Research Initiative (CCASP), Independent Consultant in Poverty and Inequality Practice, and Senior Research Associate of ODI(Americas-friendly webinar only)
• Sayanti Sengupta, Technical Advisor at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre; Advisor to the Climate Change and Social Protection Research Initiative (CCASP) and Independent Consultant in Poverty and Inequality Practice
• Matthew Walsham, Social Protection Specialist (Climate), FAO
• Elisa Savelli, Regional Water Security and Climate Advisor – MENA/Europe, Mercy Corps

Matthew Walsham will also join a 'Hangout' on July 24th at 4 PM (Sydney) / 7 AM (UK) for a more informal discussion with interested experts. Hangouts are informal online meetings for practitioners, organized by the Social Protection in Crisis Contexts Online Community. You can joing the hangout using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84590992049