Integrating climate change into RC/RC programmes: from global commitments to local action

At the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement a series of commitments were made to address the humanitarian consequences of climate change, with specific regard to understanding and reducing impacts felt by the most vulnerable. The Preparedness for Climate Change Programme (PfCC), initiated by the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and implemented in conjunction with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), assisted a total of 64 National Societies from 2006–2011 as they took first steps toward honoring these commitments. Now, five years later, this paper recognises the hard work of these National Societies by featuring some of the many actions they have taken, while also highlighting a drastic increase in the number of climate related references made in general appeal documents – seen as demonstrating a general increase in climate change awareness across the Movement.