The Partnering Initiative

  • Training and Services
  • Research and Learning
  • Global Impact
  • TPI Tools
  • Home
  • About Us
  • COVID-19
  • News and Views
  • Publications
  • Multimedia
  • Friends of TPI
  • Contact
  • Featured programmes
    • The Partnership Accelerator
    • Rapid Climate Action
    • Partnering for Philanthropic Impact
    • Learning from Consortia Programme
    • Mining as a transformational partner in development
You are here: Home / Posts / TPI Blog / Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change – a wake-up call for collective, cross-sector adaptation efforts?

December 14, 2012 By admin

Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change – a wake-up call for collective, cross-sector adaptation efforts?

IBLFHeadshots2MH26-180x235Hurricane Sandy, which struck the North East coast of the United States in late October 2012, is estimated to have caused $30 billion (£19 billion) to $50 billion (£30 billion) of economic losses making it the second costliest storm in American history. In comparison to the UK’s Great Storm of 1987, which was estimated to have cost the insurance industry £2 billion, Sandy is expected to cost £6-12 billion. Effects from the hurricane were felt around the world, including India, which suffered from subdued financial and business trading resulting in a depreciated rupee.

Much of the American media is now recognising the correlation between climate change and the increasingly severe weather events occurring across the US. Businesses are no longer in a position to ignore such risks; but it is clear that no one industry sector can tackle climate change alone. For some industry sectors, these catastrophic events will present the opportunity to respond with foresight, commitment and collaboration. Cross-sector partnerships are now a readily used mechanism to address global issues, combining multiple perspectives, expertise and skills. These partnerships not only help to cross the boundaries between traditionally opposing sectors, but fundamentally have the capacity to build long term sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges.

How do businesses adapt and collaborate? 

To achieve systemic change, business will need to collaborate with governments. For example, Governments of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), at the 2011 UNFCCC Durban Conference, adopted the Private Sector Initiative (PSI) of the Cancun Adaptation Framework which seeks to catalyse involvement of the private sector in the National Adaptation Plans for Action. But, cross-sector engagement at this scale is never a smooth process.  Unique skills are needed to ensure benefits of combining public and private sector strengths, and not be stifled by the practical realities of conflicting organisational cultures and priorities.

At a smaller scale, cross-sector or business-to-business collaboration can increase business’ understanding of the potential impacts of climate change and to pursue the need for innovation. The Partnering Initiative has set up the Business Innovation Facility, a DFID sponsored initiative to support the development of inclusive business models, offering practical support and a community of cross-sector practitioners for businesses seeking innovative ways to address climate change.

It is clear we can expect more unpredictable and severe weather events. As the costs of these inevitably rise, it may be the much-needed wake-up call for more businesses and organisations to pool efforts, innovate and collaborate through cross-sector partnerships.

By Jessica Scholl, Programme Manager of The Partnering Initiative

Filed Under: TPI Blog Tagged With: Climate Change, Partnership, Systematic approach 1 Comment

Trackbacks

  1. Live chat: how to build a global coalition to end climate change says:
    November 11, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    […] we have done differently? How can we prevent this from happening again?” In December 2012, Jessica Scholl wrote: “Hurricane Sandy and climate change: a wake-up call for collective, cross-sector […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA
Refresh

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Fighting side-by-side against COVID-19

    Fighting side-by-side against COVID-19

    April 3, 2020
  • Pieces of a puzzle: Further Steps on a Journey

    Pieces of a puzzle: Further Steps on a Journey

    June 17, 2022
  • What I learned from philanthropy immersion at Philea Forum 2022

    What I learned from philanthropy immersion at Philea Forum 2022

    June 13, 2022
  • TPI @ United Nations ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2022

    TPI @ United Nations ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2022

    February 1, 2022

Latest Tweets

  • Thanks to all the panelists and to @Alliancemag for such an interesting and revealing webinar. A reaffirmation of t… https://t.co/yA6aLx6I1r April 28, 2022 4:51 pm
  • Follow the discussion about how foundations need to adapt to be able to deliver more transformational impact throug… https://t.co/9n8S3pUA37 April 28, 2022 2:37 pm
  • Last few days to complete a survey that will help TPI to assess its impact on the world! Please follow the link to… https://t.co/N5SoNKoUpY April 25, 2022 11:46 am
  • Follow Us

Our Courses

  • Building Effective Partnerships for Sustainable Development
  • Certificate in Partnering Practice
  • Tailored Training

Publications

  • The SDG Partnership Guidebook
  • Maximizing Partnership Value Creation Guidebook
  • Unleashing the Power of Business
  • Internal Prospective Partnership Assessment Tool
  • Partnership Platforms for the Sustainable Development Goals

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive TPI updates.

Sign Up Now
  • Training and Services
  • Research and Learning
  • Global Impact
  • TPI Tools


© 2022 The Partnering Initiative · Privacy Policy · Contact Us · Log in