Developing Climate Resilient Flood and Flash Flood Management Practices to Protect Vulnerable Communities of Georgia

  • Project details

  • Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
    UNDP, Ministry of Environment through the National Environment Agency
    Summary:

    The project aims to develop resilience of highly vulnerable communities and regions to climate related hazards, such as floods, and flash floods. The project takes an integrated and comprehensive approach by addressing critical gaps in land use policy and regulatory framework, fundamental to climate resilient flood management. The project will implement the Georgian Government‟s priorities for effective and long term measures for flood prevention and management by direct involvement of local municipalities and populations residing in the highly exposed locations.

    Project Components:

    The project objective is to improve resilience of highly exposed regions of Georgia to hydrometeorological threats that are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. The project will help the governments and the population of the target region of Rioni Basin to develop adaptive capacity and embark on climate resilient economic development. The project is comprised of three main components:

    1. Floodplain development policy introduced to incentivize long term resilience to flood / flash flood risks;
    2. Climate resilient practices of flood management developed and implemented to reduce vulnerability of highly exposed communities;
    3. Early warning system in place to improve preparedness and adaptive capacity of population.

    As detailed in the Adaptation Fund Proposal - Georgia, 2011.

    Expected Outputs:

    1.1. Hazard and inundation maps produced;

    1.2. Review and change land use regulations (land use planning, including zonings and development controls, e.g. on protection / buffer zones, settlement expansion; economic development categories etc) to internalize climate change risks into floodplain management and spatial planning.

    1.3. New building codes reviewed and streamlined for the housing rehabilitation schemes to flood proof new buildings (e.g. material standards, traditional house raising etc) taking into account alternative climate change scenarios;

    1.4. Targeted training of national and local authorities responsible for climate risk management in advanced methods of forward looking climate risk management planning and flood prevention measures;

    1.5. Community-based flood insurance scheme designed and implemented covering highly exposed villages under 6 municipalities.

    2.1. Direct measures of long term flood prevention and risk mitigation designed with participation of local governments and population in 6 municipalities (Lentekhi, Oni, Ambrolauri, Tskaltubo, Samtredia, Tsageri);

    2.2. Community-based adaptation measures, such as bank terracing, vegetative buffers, bundles and tree revetments implemented building on an existing municipal employment guarantee scheme;

    2.3. Flood plain seasonal productive systems (e.g. short season annual cropping, cattle rearing plots or seasonal pastures, agro-forestry) benefit 200,000 people and improve resilience to flood threat;

    2.4. Lessons learned and best practices documented and disseminated to raise awareness of effective climate risk management options for further upscaling;

    3.1. Long term historical observation data digitised and used in policy formulation and risk management practices;

    3.2. Multi hazard risk assessment for the Rioni river basin (floods, flash floods, associated mudflows and landslides, linked with climatic alterations under alternative scenarios);

    3.3. Series of targeted training delivered for the NEA staff and partner organisations in the advanced methods of climate change risk assessment and forecasting;

    3.4. Essential equipment to increase monitoring and forecasting capabilities in the target basin procured and installed;

    3.5. Systems established at the national and subnational level led by the NEA for long and short term flood forecasting of hydrological risks; including dissemination and communication of forecasts.

    Contacts:

    Project Contact Person

    Project Status:
    SOF Approval/Endorsement (as of 2 February 2012)
    Project Details
    Funding Source:
    Adaptation Fund
    Cofinancing Total:
    n/a
    Total Amounts:
    $5,316,500 (Amount requested and approved as of 2011-12-14)

Addressing Climate Change Risks on Water Resources and Food Security in the Dry Zone of Myanmar

  • Project details

  • Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
    UNDP, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry
    Summary:

    The objective of this project is to reduce the vulnerability of farmers in Myanmar’s Dry Zone to increasing drought and rainfall variability, and enhance the capacity of farmers to plan for and respond to future impacts of Climate Change on food security. The strategy of the project to achieve this objective is to reduce the risks and effects from recurring droughts, floods and erosion through an integrated water management, crop and livestock adaptation programme in five of the most vulnerable townships of Myanmar‟s Dry Zone.

    Project Components:

    1. Respond to the climate-induced reduction of freshwater supply
    2. Climate-resilient food and livestock production systems established and promoted
    3. Improve communal climate risk information and monitoring

    Expected Outputs:

    1. Respond to the climate-induced reduction of freshwater supply: Rainfall capture, storage and natural water retention capacity is increased
    where rainfall is declining or becoming more variable
    2. Climate-resilient food and livestock production systems established and promoted: Diversified and resilient livelihoods of the most vulnerable farmers in Myanmar‟s Dry Zone
    3. Improve communal climate risk information and monitoring: Capacity of farmers in the Dry Zone to respond and adapt to changes in rainfall is enhanced through use of short-term forecast information and longer-term climate scenario planning

    As detailed in the Adaptation Fund Proposal - Myanmar (resubmission) - 06.11.11

    Contacts:

    Project Contact Person

    Project Status:
    SOF Pipeline Entry (as of 2 February 2012)
    Primary Beneficiaries:
    Local communities in the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Regions
    Project Details
    Funding Source:
    Adaptation Fund
    Cofinancing Total:
    n/a
    Total Amounts:
    $7,909,026 (Amount requested and approved 2011-12-14)

ALM Case Study 2011 - Zimbabwe: Coping with Drought and Climate Change

Summary:

Long known as the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has for the last 30 years experienced dramatic losses in agricultural production resulting in critical food and fuel shortages. Coupled with the economic and political constraints, drought and climate change are testing the limits of agricultural production in Zimbabwe. In rural Zimbabwe, and specifically in the pilot project area Chiredzi district, drought is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. With approximately 70% of Zimbabwe’s population deriving their livelihoods from subsistence agriculture and other rural activities, the most noticeable effects of these droughts are the devastating impacts on household food security and the livelihoods of the poor. In response, and as part of a set of three other regional Coping with Drought and Climate Change (CwDCC) projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique, this project is supporting effective adaptation among subsistence farmers in six locations in Chiredze District.

Adaptation Experience:

The project, Coping with Drought and Climate Change in Zimbabwe, is working to enhance the capacity of agricultural and pastoral communities in Zimbabwe to adapt to climate variability and change. The primary project objective is to demonstrate and promote adoption of a range of gender-sensitive approaches for adaptation to climate change among rural communities currently engaged in agriculture in vulnerable areas of the Chiredzi.

Results and Learning:

Refer to the attached UNDP-ALM Case Study for detailed information.

Sustainability:

This project has established implementation partnerships with government departments. Sustainability of the project, and the buy in and acceptability of the project outcomes has been evidenced by their incorporation in other programmes/projects. Outcomes on improving livelihoods are largely taken up by a number of NGOs. Climate risk management is being embraced by government and NGOs. Of those NGOs that have embraced climate risk management, the focus has been on livelihoods diversification, small scale irrigation development and conservation agriculture.

Replication:

The optimized crop pilots through this initiative have the potential to benefit about 6,600 households in Chiredzi district, and many thousands more households at the national level. Replication of livestock interventions has potential to benefit more than 60% of the 12,400 households in Chiredzi District whose vulnerability to drought and climate change is exacerbated by their current lack of access to animal drawn draught power. Indirect benefits through improvement in wildlife management have the potential to benefit an additional 1000 households in the Chiredzi district.The project is encouraging replication of optimized crop production through Farmer Field schools (FFS). FFS is a group-based learning process that has been used by a number of governments, NGOs and international agencies to promote Integrated Pest Management. FFS are being used in the project as a learning platform for farmers to increase learning and improve production strategies on the ground. Exchange visits for neighboring farmers, public awareness campaigns and tours by policy makers are some of the tools planned to encourage replication of best practices.Barriers to replication of the adaptation measures include credit and input bottlenecks which results in farmers resorting to their own traditional varieties of grains despite poor performance, and the lack of supportive policies and institutions. 

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Funding Source:
GEF-SCCF

UNDP-ALM Case Study 2011 - Kenya - Adaptation to Climate Change in Arid Lands (KACCAL)

Summary:

Kenya’s geographic location makes it inherently prone to cyclical droughts and floods. Moreover, according to the Initial National Communication (INC), such types of cyclical climate-driven events will increase in intensity and frequency due to global climate change. Livelihoods and economic activities in Kenya’s are highly vulnerable to climatic fluctuations, with the districts of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) being among the most vulnerable to recurrent droughts, and to long-term climate change. The rural poor are the most vulnerable to the impacts of Kenya’s current climate variability. In response this project is supporting poor and vulnerable communities in the Mwingi District of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) to enhance their adaptive capacity to drought (and flood). Working in the pilot areas, this is being achieved through enhanced access to and management of water for irrigation, promotion of indigenous crops that more resilient to anticipated climate (and improved access to markets for these crops), and promoting livestock varieties that are more suited to the climate, development and promotion of alternative livelihood opportunities (such as beekeeping activities). The project is also strengthening climate risk management planning and capacity of District level planners to mainstream climate change into District-level sectoral development plans. Extension workers will be supported to improve their adaptation extension advice to farmers based on best available climate forecast information.

Adaptation Experience:

The project, “Kenya-Adaptation to Climate Change in Arid Lands” (KACCAL) project is focused on strengthening Mwingi District’s capacity to reduce the vulnerability of rural livelihoods in arid areas to climate variability and change. The project will focus on i) improving the ability of farmers to reduce the near-term vulnerability to current climate variability and trends and on ii) strengthening the capacity of District-level planners to address climate change.
 

Results and Learning:

Refer to the attached UNDP-ALM Case Study for detailed information.

Sustainability:

The project has a ‘mainstreaming’ component to it as well as a practical implementation/ testing component to it. The mainstreaming component is centres mainly around the capacity development of District level planners to be able assess and plan for climate risks. The project will demonstrate an approach that can be continued beyond the project grant. Secondly, the project will develop a workplan for capacity and institutional development that goes beyond the project resources, to facilitate fund-raising for continued capacity development support. Thirdly, the mainstreaming analysis will focus on how the national regulatory and fiscal frameworks and instruments inhibit or could be adjusted to promote adaptation among the private sector: mainly small and medium enterprises, thereby promoting scale-up of successful adaptation measures.

Refer to the attached UNDP-ALM Case Study for detailed information.

Replication:

180 households will benefit directly from the pilot projects (6 community groups); an additional 360 households (12 community groups) to benefit from exchange visits to pilot sites; c. 10,000 households in the pilot areas (75% of households) will benefit from dissemination of adaptation advice.The project will disseminate the lessons and methodology of the project to national policy-makers to raise awareness and understanding of the need for adaptation action, both in terms of the role of government in incentivising the private sector to allocate resources in a climate-resilient way aswell as the allocation of public financing to testing new ways of doing business.

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Funding Source:
GEF-SCCF

Implementing NAPA Priority Interventions to Build Resilience in the Agriculture and Water Sectors to the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change

  • Project details

  • Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
    UNDP, Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR)
    Summary:

    To implement an urgent set of measures thatn Sudan, increasing at a rate of about 0.2% per year. These changes in temperature and rainfall patterns represent a priority threat to food security in Sudan’s agriculture-based economy.

    Project Components:
    • 1. Implementation of pilot adaptation measures in demonstration sites;
    • 2. Building national and local adaptive capacities;
    • 3. Knowledge management, codification of best practices and replication; and
    • 4. Project management.
    Expected Outputs:

    1. Innovative copying mechanisms and practices (rain water harvesting, improved irrigation techniques, climate-resilient cropping and grazing systems, livelihood diversification…) field- tested in 5 high-risks areas;

    2. Early warning and climate risk management systems designed and set up at central and local levels; Agriculture-related policies and practices revised and informed by EWS and climate information; Farmers, pastoralists and technical staff fully trained and equipped on CRM tools, strategies and practices;

    3. National menu of best practices available; Successful pilot mechanisms and measures institutionalized; and National budget allocated to support country-wide upscaling efforts.

    Contacts:

    Project Contact person

    • Keti Chachibaia
    • Regional Technical Advisor
    • Climate Change Adaptation and Capacity Development
    • Email: keti.chachibaia@undp.org
    Project Status:
    Under Implementation
    Primary Beneficiaries:
    small-scale farmers
    Project Details
    Funding Source:
    GEF-LDCF
    Cofinancing Total:
    3,500,000
    Total Amounts:
    6,900,000

Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change by Establishing Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness Systems and Support for Integrated Watershed Management in Flood Prone Areas

  • Project details

  • Implementing Agency:
    UNDP/UNEP
    Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
    Ministry of Natural Resources, Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA)
    Summary:

    The project aims to strengthen national and district capacities to deliver a functional early warning and disaster preparedness system that would allow for early warning of vulnerable populations in the Gishwati ecosystem. The project further aims to build capacities for risk responsive planning at district and local levels and to incorporate climate change risks into district development planning of four districts covering Gishwati forest area.

    Project Components:
    • 1. Climate Risk Assessment and Forecasting
    • 2. Climate change adaptation planning and response strategies
    • 3. Demonstrations of adaptation practices in the Nile-Congo crest watersheds and Gishwati ecosystem
    • 4. Knowledge Management, Public Awareness and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices
    • 5. Mid Term and Final Evaluation
    • 6. Project Management
    Expected Outputs:
    1. Enhanced early warning system which allows for climate change predictions. System in place to integrate climate change risk assessment and socio-economic parameters such as impacts on livelihoods and economic activities. Data coordination network is established through inter-agency coordination mechanism for hydro-meteorological information. Data is currently managed across departments without a central coordination mechanism. Disaster response plans are prepared and capacity to implement them is developed.
    2. Science/Policy exchange forum is established through interchange platform between hydro-climatic network and policy makers Policy briefs and analysis for planners, policy makers and field actors to guide them in making decisions on adaptation strategies. Particularly related to water management and agricultural practices.
    3. Land use management practices adjusted for anticipated climate change risks Capacity development program for communities formulated based a CC adaptation capacity needs assessment conducted during the PPG. Communities trained according to the capacity development program. Communities and policy makers sensitized with CC adaptation benefits to be attained through enhanced catchment management practices. Results of demonstrations distilled as experience notes for dissemination to policy makers. Adaptation policy adopted for the land use planning at the targeted area.
    4. Development and dissemination of lessons learned for policy makers and for communities through out the project. Training plan developed and implemented for relevant stakeholders for uptake of lessons learned and engagement in the various project components. Platform for national learning and sustainability established.
    Contacts:

    UNDP Regional Coordinating Unit, Pretoria

    Project Status:
    Under Implementation (as of February 2012)
    Primary Beneficiaries:
    Rural Rwandans living in the Gishwati ecosystem.
    Project Details
    Funding Source:
    GEF-LDCF
    Financing Amount:
    LDCF Grant: $3,486,000
    Cofinancing Total:
    12,427,000
    Total Amounts:
    16,063,000

Les petits barrages de décrue en Mauritanie: Recommandations pour la conception et la construction

Summary:

n.a.

Adaptation Experience:

n.a.

Results and Learning:

n.a.

Sustainability:

n.a.

Replication:

n.a.

Image(s):
Funding Source:
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Impact of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture in the developing world and opportunities for adaptation

Author(s):
Leon Williams and Antonio Rota
Year:
2009
Editor:
IFAD
Publisher:
IFAD
Summary:

This paper reviews the importance of fisheries and aquaculture, with particular reference to poor people in the developing world, and the likely impact of climate change on these activities and on food security. It highlights some practical measures that can be taken to adapt to the expected effects of climate change.

Funding Source:
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change

Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
UNDP in partnership with the State Secretariat for Environment located within the Ministry of Economy and Development (MED), Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Summary:

National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) provide a process for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to identify priority activities that respond to their urgent and immediate needs to adapt to climate change – those for which further delay would increase vulnerability and/or costs at a later stage. A central element of the Timor-Leste NAPA has been the establishment and active participation of six dynamic Sector Working Groups on food security, water, health, disasters, biodiversity and infrastructure.

The following summarizes the NAPA for Timor Leste:

Project Components:

The Specific objectives were: 1.To set up Institutional structure for the preparation of the NAPA document 2.To conduct participatory assessment of vulnerability to current climate variability 3.To identify key climate change adaptation measures and develop proposals for priority activities to address the adverse effects of climate change 4.To prepare the NAPA document in the format established by the COP 5.To have the NAPA document endorsed by the national Parliament, Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister 6.To disseminate the final NAPA document to the public.

Project Status:
Completed September 2011.
Funding Source:
GEF-LDCF
Financing Amount:
200,000
Cofinancing Total:
20,000
Total Amounts:
220,000
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