Axa XL’s global head of sustainability, Suzanne ScatliffeAxa XL, based in Bermuda, has announced a $1.2 million grant to Save the Children to fund a ground-breaking five-year initiative addressing the effects of climate change on Sierra Leone’s coastal ecosystems. The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project is recognised as one of the country’s largest efforts to improve climate resilience.
The project is expected to directly benefit 260,000 people, with a total impact of more than one million. Axa XL stated that, despite having one of the lowest per capita CO2 emissions in the world, Sierra Leone is still one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable as sea levels rise and weather patterns become more severe.
This community-driven initiative seeks to improve food and water security, promote education, and boost local businesses. It will also prioritise the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of vital mangrove ecosystems, which play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Suzanne Scatliffe, Axa XL’s global head of sustainability, emphasised the importance of societal-led change in dealing with climate risks, saying, “Responding to the risks of climate change requires going beyond technical innovation alone.” She was confident that this multi-stakeholder partnership would help climate-vulnerable communities strengthen their resilience.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest climate fund, which will provide a $25 million cornerstone grant. This funding is supplemented by co-financing from Axa XL and several partners, including Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, Clifford Chance, Jersey Overseas Aid, and the Government of Iceland.
