Feminist Advocates Press COP31 to Route Adaptation Finance to Grassroots Women

As governments at COP31 weigh tripling adaptation finance, a coalition led by the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) argued on Nov. 12, 2026, that a share of that money should go directly to women-led grassroots groups. At a press conference reporting outcomes of the first global feminist disaster risk reduction conference, held in Istanbul, speakers said disasters are products of political and economic systems, not natural events. They called for grant-based finance, early response alongside early warning and an honest count of disaster losses.

• ActionAid Australia urges wealthy nations, including Australia, to deliver grant-based adaptation finance.
• Huairou Commission asks that one point of tripled finance go directly to communities.
• Speakers contrast $2.9T in military spending with mounting disaster costs.
• WEDO says official disaster losses of $202B understate an estimated $2.3T toll.
• UN Women calls gender-transformative approaches foundational to disaster resilience.

Why it matters: Governments at COP31 are discussing tripling adaptation finance. Advocates want to shape how that money is delivered and who controls it. Adaptation finance pays for measures that help communities withstand climate impacts. Advocates said a share should reach communities directly, with accountability attached.