AXA XL is providing a grant of $1.2 million to Save the Children for a five-year initiative to mitigate the impact of climate change across coastal ecosystems in Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project – one of the largest ever to tackle climate resilience in the country – will empower coastal communities to plan for climate change and improve their livelihoods. It aims to reach 260,000 people directly, with a further one million people expected to benefit.
Sierra Leone has one of the lowest CO2 emissions per capita in the world, yet is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Its coastal areas are highly susceptible, already experiencing rising seas and more extreme weather events.
The community-led initiative will increase people’s food and water security, support education and local enterprise, and enhance the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of mangrove ecosystems which are vital for mitigating climate change.
AXA XL’s Global Head of Sustainability, Suzanne Scatliffe, said: “Responding to the risks of climate change requires going beyond technical innovation alone – we need societal-led change. Through this multi-stakeholder partnership, we are supporting climate-vulnerable communities boost resilience.”
Patrick Analo, Country Director at Save the Children Sierra Leone said: “Children in Sierra Leone are directly feeling the effects of the climate crisis with a rising number of climate-related shocks, from floods to heatwaves, exacerbating child poverty and inequality through the disruption of family livelihoods, education, and natural resources. By working in collaboration with a number of co-finance partners such as AXA XL, we will have an even greater impact when delivering this important project over the next five years, empowering communities to adopt climate-resilient practices in farming, fishing, education and beyond. This project will also focus on improving opportunities for women and children, who are especially vulnerable to climate change.”
The initiative is in partnership with the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest climate fund, aiming to accelerate transformative climate action in developing countries. The Fund is providing a cornerstone grant of $25 million, which is complemented by co-financing from AXA XL and other partners, including the Government of Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, Clifford Chance, Jersey Overseas Aid and the Government of Iceland.
The partnership supports AXA XL’s goal of demonstrating the importance of societal-led solutions in response to climate change, as part of its “Roots of Resilience” sustainability strategy.
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ABOUT AXA XL
AXA XL, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com
ABOUT AXA XL INSURANCE
AXA XL Insurance offers property, casualty, professional, financial lines, and specialty insurance solutions to mid-sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com and Facing into risk or follow AXA XL on LinkedIn
ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children exists to create lasting change for and with children. In more than 100 countries including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning, and change the future for good. We find new ways to reach children, no matter where they’re growing up. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard. For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.uk
Save the Children Sierra Leone has worked in the country for over twenty years on climate change and disaster risk reduction, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, livelihoods, child protection, gender equality, health and nutrition.
ABOUT THE GREEN CLIMATE FUND
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world’s largest dedicated climate fund. GCF’s mandate is to foster a paradigm shift towards low emission, climate resilient development pathways in developing countries. GCF has a portfolio of projects and programs across 130 countries. It also has a readiness support program to build capacity and help countries develop long-term plans to fight climate change. The GCF is an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and serves the 2015 Paris Agreement, supporting the goal of keeping average global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius.