Climate Change Adaptation Programme in the Coastal Zone of Mauritius

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  • Project details

  • Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
    UNDP, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Government of Mauritius
    Summary:

    As a Small Island Developing State, the Republic of Mauritius is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, especially in its coastal zones, where a convergence of accelerating sea level rise and increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones results in considerable economic loss, humanitarian stresses, and environmental degradation.

    Project Components:

    Adaptation requires in situ changes in behaviour and site management, and appropriate technical interventions, as well as early warning systems to enable communities to move away from areas where the risk of storm surge and flooding is imminent. As coral reefs lose the race with sea level rise, the critical ecosystem function of wave attenuation must be replaced in some manner. Equally important is the need for a monitoring system that tracks the correlation between key ecosystem functions and weather events to continue to inform and fine-tune the design of appropriate interventions.

    The programme will implement appropriate coastal protection measures and deliver improvements in the resilience of communities in three coastal zones of the island of Mauritius: Mon Choisy, Riviere des Galets and QuatreSoeurs. The overall approach is to work from the level of technical solutions at specific coastal sites to the policy and regulatory level, such that future replication of coastal adaptation measures will be catalysed, supported by new policies, guidelines, and economic incentives. Coastal communities will be increasingly climate resilient and able to protect livelihoods that are tied directly to the integrity of the coastal zone on the island of Mauritius.

    Expected Outputs:

    Objective: Increase climate resilience of communities and livelihoods in coastal areas in Mauritius (all islands)

    • Provide direct benefits to up to 3,150 people whose jobs, houses, and families are currently threatened by coastal erosion, storm surges, and tidal flooding.

    Outcome 1: Current climate change risks at three coastal sites resolved through the design and application of coastal protection measures, using proven technologies (addressing beach erosion and flood risk from storm surges)

    • By 2014, current climate change risks at three coastal sites (Mon Choisy, Riviere des Galets, QuatreSoeurs) resolved through design and application of coastal protection measures, using proven technologies (addressing beach erosion and flood risk from storm surges).
    • Coastal degradation and vulnerabilities at each of the three sites arrested, meaning: no further erosion at Mon Choisy (beach accretion of 2 metres over 3 years); no surge flooding and no further shore erosion at Riviere des Galets; and, no flooding of coastal public buildings at QuatreSoeurs.
    • The target for numbers of beneficiaries is as follows: Mon Choisy: 1,500-2000 people; Riviere des Galets: 100-150 –people; QuatreSoeurs: 1000 people.

    Outcome 2: Early warning on incoming storm communicated to coastal communities, indicating the time of incidence and height of storm surges, through the design and activation of an early warning system

    • By 2012, more than 3,400 people in current surge zones are able to safely evacuate prior to future storm surge events (there are no people left in the surge zone when the surge hits).

    Outcome 3: Increase capacity of public agencies, private sector entities, NGOs and CBOs, and individuals to develop infrastructure and conduct livelihoods in the coastal zone with minimal risk of loss due to future climate change effects.

    • By 2015, increased capacity of public agencies, private sector entities, and individuals to develop infrastructure and conduct livelihoods in the coastal zone of ROM with minimal risk of loss due to future climate change effects.

    Outcome 4: Clear and practical alignment of Mauritanian policy strategies, plans and regulations with the most appropriate best practices for adaptation in the coastal zone, taking into account the expected risks to coastal processes and infrastructure in ROM over the next 50 years.

    • By 2015, clear and practical alignment of Mauritian policy, strategies, plans, and regulations with the most appropriate best practices for adaptation in the coastal zone, taking into account the expected risks to coastal processes and infrastructure in ROM over the next 20 years.

    Outcome 5: Effective capturing and dissemination of lessons from the applied activities in the programme

    • By 2015, effective capturing and dissemination of lessons from the applied activities in the programme.
    Contacts:

    UNDP Regional Technical Advisor

    Project Status:
    Start of the project: February 2012
    Primary Beneficiaries:
    Mauritian communities in coastal zones with tourism-based livelihoods, specifically in three coastal zones of the island of Mauritius: Mon Choisy, Riviere des Galets and Quatre Soeurs
    Project Details
    Funding Source:
    Adaptation Fund
    Financing Amount:
    Adaptation Fund Project Grant: US$9,119, 240
    Cofinancing Total:
    n/a

Developing Policies & Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region

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  • Project details

  • Summary:

    ##### Summary

    Focussing on the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), the project "Developing Policies & Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region" (ASTRA) assesses regional impacts of the ongoing global change in climate. Its aim is to develop adequate climate change adaptation strategies and policies, together with relevant stakeholders, such as planners and decision makers.

    ##### Background

    Climate change has potential long-term effects on the living environment.

    Expected Outputs:

    The main objective is to assess regional impacts of the ongoing global change in climate and to develop strategies and policies for climate change adaptation.

    * The project will address threats arising from climate change in the BSR, such as extreme temperatures, droughts, forest fires, storm surges, winter storms and floods.

    In order to elaborate adaptation and mitigation strategies it is inevitable to involve regional and local spatial planners and stakeholders. Entry points and integration to existing planning processes and methods will be identified. Climate change impacts and vulnerability of regions are studied in several regional and local case studies.

    Contacts:

    Contact
    Geological Survey of Finland
    Betonimiehenkuja 4, 02151 Espoo
    Finland
    Philipp Schmidt-Thomé (Project coordinator)
    Michael Staudt (Project manager)
    E-Mail: michael.staudt@gtk.fi

    Project Status:
    Completed (December 2007).
    Project Details
    Cofinancing Total:
    Information not available

USAID - CASE STUDY Flood Planning and Coastal Resources

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  • Project details

  • Summary:

    Background

    Project Components:

    Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales – Integrated Management of Natural Resources (MIRA) is a USAID sponsored project working in 12 of 21 watersheds in Honduras. One of the focal areas is La Ceiba, where the goals are to improve watershed and natural resource management, while stimulating economic growth. At the time of this case study, MIRA was in the early stages of design and implementation.

    To develop infrastructure and strategies to address the city’s serious urban drainage and flooding problems, which are expected to worsen due to climate change and lack of action.

    Expected Outputs:

    Outcomes

    1. Change in local perceptions: This project had a major impact on local perceptions of the need to consider climate variability and change during development planning activities. USAID work was featured three times on local television, and Ken Strzepek has presented results of this study to relevant governmental ministries in Tegucigalpa. The mayor of La Ceiba, who had little prior familiarity with climate change issues, has expressed a strong desire to implement appropriate flood control measures, and has given impassioned speeches about the significance of this problem.
    2. Development of high quality data: The stream flow data obtained during this project indicates that La Ceiba is at much greater risk of flooding than previously believed. High quality information, such as this, is necessary for the development of an appropriate adaptation plan.
    3. Identification of ways in which USAID can help La Ceiba cope with its problems of flooding and urban drainage include: a) Working with disaster management officials to develop a risk management strategy; b) Promoting zoning strategies that limit or prevent development in areas most vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding; c) Improving risk awareness and community preparedness through measures such as a flood warning system; d) Improving both watershed management and the opportunity for tourism by preventing further deforestation of the Cangrejal watershed; and e) Identifying partners to help implement adaptations requiring large capital investment, such as pumping sand to protect against erosion, raising the levees, and developing an urban drainage system.
    Project Details
    Cofinancing Total:
    n/a