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Building Community Resillience in the Water Sector (IWRM) through Capacity Building, Policy Research and Action, Awareness Creation and Education
Submitted by wrcclimate on Mon, 2011-09-05 20:55
Summary:
The project sought to coordinate efforts to conserve and store water, reducing the effects of flooding through flood water retention, strengthening existing adaptation strategies (e.g. dry season farming), and providing mechanisms for timely climate forecast and information for communities in times of expected floods and drought in over ten Districts. Water storage facilities of different types depending on uses such as flood storm reduction, livestock watering, dry season gardening, groundwater recharge and domestic uses, were provided in over twenty communities across the three northern regions. These were preceded by customised awareness creation and tailor made capacity building and training activities. Major parners were Alternative Initiative for Development (AID), Centre for Human and Environmental Security (CHES), and University for Development Studies.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
The project activities have shown contributions to building and strengthening the resilience of socioeconomically weakened communities with benefits trickling down to households especially those that are poor, having very limited resources with less mobility. Decision making for project activities had no gender imbalances as both gender contributed equally to approaches, the selection and siting of facilities as well as the overall management of connected small projects including expected benefit sharing. Water harvesting facilities were expected to not only serve food crop production purposes and gardening but also for livestock watering, and building and construction of houses, as well as for flood control in some cases.
Sustainability:
The factors that underline the replicability of the activities are already practical recipes for sustaining the project. Local communities are determined in their own little ways to emulate what have been achieved in other communities. However, these efforts would require some high level adoption and intervention to avoid lags in adaptation and to also ensure quality, the order of the day. Most materials developed under the project are already being used nationally especially those on flooding which are providing necessary resources for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) hence some project activities are already enjoying an up-scaling and which must be sustained. Danida provided further support to the outcomes of this pilot so as to enhance sustainability. This takes the form of a practical climate change adaptation learning centre in Bolgatanga at the White Volta basin office to ensure sustained awareness, education and technical support through visitations made to the centre. However, this pilot phase should have been scaled up to real project status and then later years to programmes by the District Assemblies but just when the Assemblies started imbibing the concept of climate mainstreaming, the pilot phase was already concluding. A community investment support fund would in no doubt be an asset to continue with this project until such time that communities learn the appropriate way in harnessing water resources for their own water usage in the face of climate change and variability.
Replication:
The most achieved and conspicuous impact of the approaches for implementing the project was to ensure easy replicability and knowledge sharing. This includes technical and non-technical assistance from the WRC through interaction of various communities’ leadership and their offer to help neighbours. What this project has therefore nurtured as an innovation and thinking outside the box is to promote intercultural exchange of experiences with respect to the project activities involving the deliberate movement of people into new environments to assist in providing adaptation support. Awareness creation materials and information brochures are tangible resources that are being used by poor and vulnerable communities to tell their own stories and specifically what they are looking forward to doing. Such materials have enlightened several actors interested in adaptation. There were no big or small actors as equal playing field was maintained for all to do what was expected of them and in spite of being a pilot project with limited financial resources a lot more was achieved than commensurate with the level of funding. The potential to replicate therefore is very straightforward, readily available human capacity and requiring very little financial investment to undertake. For the good of sustainability most of the activities are now seen as cross-cultural in the context of adaptation to climate change rather than as livelihoods support only.
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Adaptation to climate change in Africa: Challenges and opportunities identified from Ethiopia
Submitted by andrea on Fri, 2011-05-06 07:09
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A B S T R A C T
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Framework for Community-Based Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment in Mountain Areas
Submitted by andrea on Thu, 2011-03-24 09:52Year:
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Abstract: People living in mountain ecosystems in the developing world are particularly vulnerable to climate change as a result of their high dependence on natural resources for their livelihoods, comparatively higher exposure to extreme events, and widespread poverty and marginalisation. However, little is known about the impacts of climate change on these communities, people's perceptions of change, or their capacity to adapt. In order to identify the key determinants for future adaptation, we need to have a much better understanding of these issues.
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Climate Change and Human Development in Viet Nam
Submitted by andrea on Tue, 2011-02-08 19:40
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Viet Nam is a low-income country, but has recently made spectacular progress in terms of both economic growth and poverty reduction. The official poverty rate has fallen from 58 percent in 1993, to 19.5 percent in 2004 (VASS 2006). Strong economic growth is likely to continue following recent accession to the World Trade Organisation, with increased international trade and direct foreign investment reinforcing Viet Nam’s progress towards middle-income country status.
Water and Adaptation to Climate Change: Consequences for developing countries
Submitted by andrea on Tue, 2011-02-08 19:40Year:
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This publication demonstrates the strong and diverse hydrological impacts of climate change and vulnerabilities of development countries, for example for the up to 250 million people being exposed to increased water stress in Africa as early as 2020. It takes stock of where we stand in addressing hydrological impacts of climate change in developed and in developing countries. We are still at the beginning, but experience is growing rapidly. Finally it discusses the role of development cooperation.
ALM Case Study 2010 - Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in the Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia
Submitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-02-07 22:07
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Containing more than half the region’s floral diversity and over 300 species of trees and bushes, Armenia’s forest ecosystems form a vital eco-corridor that extends through the Eastern Lesser Caucasus. Although these forests are a biodiversity hotspot and a global conservation priority, the region has been identified as critically vulnerable, especially to the risks posed by climate change. Given the significant value of preserving the area’s biodiversity, this project is working to enhance the forest’s resilience through improving ecological restoration, preventing forest fires and fighting pests. Targeting 75,000 hectares of land, UNDP, in cooperation with scientists, government officials, forestry enterprises, and local communities, is working to preserve the forests. Efforts are also being made to support the local communities to participate in and benefit from the adaptation efforts. By integrating measures to adapt to climate change, the project is also responding to anticipated environmental changes that will occur over the next 25 to 50-years. The immediate focus of pilot adaptation measures are in the Syunik region in south-east of Armenia, but the project may be of broader relevance to all mountain forest ecosystems in Armenia. Key lessons learned from the project to date indicate the need for engagement of stakeholders at all levels and throughout the project cycle based on assessment of their needs and capacities. Lessons also recognise the value of evaluation at different stages of the project, inclusion of international experiences and expertise, and development of institutional capacities and policy frameworks at both local and national levels.
Adaptation Experience:
Solution: Adaptation Approach, Components and Description
Results and Learning:
- Engage a range of stakeholders (from regional, national and community levels) throughout the project planning cycle based on assessment of their needs, role and capacity: During the project preparatory and initiation phases, a stakeholder analysis (including face-to-face discussions, interviews with questionnaires, and seminars) facilitated identification of stakeholder need, roles and capacity. This analysis resulted in a summary matrix of stakeholders and their relevance to the project, including the interests and possible functions of government and non-government entities, community-based organizations and other concerned groups in project implementation. Throughout the development and implementation of the project, various stakeholders at regional, national and community levels have filled a specific niche. Stakeholders have participated in discussions about project ideas and have provided background information during early stages of project planning. Regional-level stakeholders have served as the main authority over planning activities linked to the forest sector (i.e. related to land management, agriculture and economic development) in cooperation with national authorities. National-level stakeholders have also been well positioned to provide forest-sector education on multiple levels. Local specialists have provided important data and technical expertise, and community-level stakeholders have served as primary partners in organizing activities intended to promote community awareness and mitigate anthropogenic pressure on forest ecosystems.
- Evaluate the project at different stages of the project cycle - preparation, initiation, life time: The team realized that project evaluation provides key inputs and is therefore a very important element in the project preparation cycle. Two expanded seminars were organized by the Climate Change Program Unit for evaluating the project at its different stages: one during the project’s inception, and the second in the presentation of findings and fine tuning of the planned measures. In these evaluation meetings, current climate change variability and risks, as well as future scenarios of climate change, were discussed along with suggested mitigation measures that pose a challenge and require the collaborative action of different project partners.
- Bring in international experience to improve forest management and response to climate change risks: During a workshop, International Technical Advisors shared their experiences with implementation of approaches to assess forest vulnerability to climate change impacts and European forest adaptation initiatives. It was found that the project needed to incorporate more international knowledge and experience, including modern concepts of adaptive forest management, as well as early warning and response system to climate change risks, into adaptation measures.
- Develop institutional capacities and policy frameworks at national and local levels: Recognizing that effective local and national government leadership and institutional and legal framework are needed to coordinate and guide adaptation, the project has prioritised building institutional capacity. A public outreach and advocacy strategy has been developed to raise awareness and build capacities for sustainable management of forests vulnerable under forecasted climate change. Specifically, community representatives have been active in designing, planning and implementation project’s initiatives in reforestation, pest outbreak and forests fire monitoring and mitigation.
Sustainability:
Based on recommendations that emerged from the Project Inception Workshop in 2009, locally-based organizations in Syunik have been engaged in piloting selected forest rehabilitation measures and will continue to cultivate local ownership and long-term sustainability of project objectives. Enhancement of adaptive capacities through strong and innovative policy and institutional support, demonstrations of pilot adaptation measures, documentation of lessons learned, and solid project management on all sector levels will also contribute to increased sustainability of the project.
Replication:
In order to replicate project successes and facilitate broader application of climate change adaptation measures, lessons learned from the project will be documented carefully. It is expected that by sharing lessons from the project, adaptation measures can be replicated in other mountain forest ecosystems of central and northern Armenia. The project’s mandate to share experiences and lessons through the ALM is already contributing to this goal.
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Gender and Climate Change Research: Gaps and Questions (Symposium Summary)
Submitted by naomi.sleeper on Thu, 2010-09-16 18:04
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This summary of knowledge gaps and research questions is the result of a symposium, organized by GenderCC with Bread for the World, BRIDGE, Gender & Disaster Network and EED, held during the last UNFCCC climate change talks in Bonn, Germany (May 31st – June 11th 2010). Around forty researchers, practitioners and experts participated and shared their knowledge and questions in this symposium.
Vulnerability Assessment of People, Livelihoods and Ecosystems in the Ganga Basin
Submitted by andrea on Thu, 2010-08-19 03:57
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The Ganga basin is one of the most populous regions on Earth, home to 450 million people at an average density of over 550 individuals per square kilometre. In the delta zone this rises to over 900 per km2.
As a result, there is strong demand and competition for natural resources, especially water for domestic use and irrigation, and most of the basin tributaries are regulated by barrages. Fisheries along the river are of considerable economic value and their output makes a major contribution to regional nutritional needs.
The Nairobi Work Programme: On Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change
Submitted by andrea on Mon, 2010-07-19 14:04Year:
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The aim of the Nairobi Work Programme is to assist parties, in particular developing countries to improve their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. This assistance is designed to help parties make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions and measures to respond to climate change on a sound scientific, technical and socio-economic basis, taking into account current and future climate change.
For further information contact:
Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC)
Martin-Luther-King-Straße 8
53175 Bonn, Germany
Telephone +49. 228.
Vulnerability and Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Current Research and Needs for Population Information
Submitted by population on Fri, 2010-04-16 00:59Year:
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Studies of vulnerability and resilience have multiplied with the growing realization that societal response, particularly societal capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, determines both the severity of impacts and the costs of adaptation.
