The Global Adaptation Network Regional Consultation, Latin America and the Caribbean 29-30 Oct 2009, Mexico City 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

IPCC-AR4: reasons for action now and preparing for the future Many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases (Water, coast, agriculture, biodiversity…). Anthropogenic warming and sea level rise would continue for centuries, even if GHG concentrations were to be stabilised, Hence the impacts… 2019/1/3

IPCC-AR4: substantial limits and barriers to adaptation Significant knowledge gaps Technological, financial, capacity constraints Adaptive capacity is uneven across and within societies, the most vulnerable has the lowest capacity to adapt. 2019/1/3

2019/1/3

Adaptation: a knowledge-intensive process Projection of climate change and its social-economic scenarios, assessment of impacts and vulnerability, to experimenting Piloting and demonstrate options Policy setting: economic, social and environmental implications Planning: economics of adaptation, investment Implementation: cost-effectiveness and sustainability 2019/1/3

Case studies in Africa and Asia UNEP-SEI in Africa The capacity to utilise additional funding for adaptation over the next decades is about the same order of magnitude as the funding available DFID in Asia Large amount of study on modeling etc. Accessibility to, and application of these studies is a problem 2019/1/3

Leverage adaptive capacities? Capacity to adapt is at stake! But the world has already a lot of capacity to adapt! How can we make the supply meet the demand? Many suppliers: WBG, CGIAR, GCOS, GTOS, GOOS, ILTER, NASA, … 2019/1/3

From scientific to political consensuses UNFCCC SBSTA28: new networks and use existing networks and regional centers for adaptation From BKK AWG-LCA negotiation text: international/regional/national centres and networks for “knowledge-based adaptation (COP14)” 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

Objective To help build climate resilience of vulnerable human systems, ecosystems and economies through the mobilization of knowledge and technologies to support adaptation policy-setting, planning and practices.   2019/1/3

Core functions Improved availability and accessibility of knowledge and good practices; Strengthened knowledge support and advisory services to users Enhanced capacity for adaptation institutions in the developing world, and improved quality and sustainability of their services 2019/1/3

Thematic priorities Globally, thematic areas include the most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems Regional consultations to decide on specifics: e.g. Water Low-lying coasts Mountains… 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

Structure Global Adaptation Network At Global level inter-regional co-operation, knowledge management, policy support and scientific advice At Regional level: institutional capacity building, knowledge mobilization, and demonstration and dissemination of best adaptation practices Latin America & Caribbean Africa West Asia Asia-Pacific Other Regions? 2019/1/3

Members Inception phase open to all, may include: Supported by: Ground Facilities Regional/national Centers International Technical institutions, Supported by: A knowledge management system Regional advisory services 2019/1/3

Users vs. partners Primary users: Governments and communities (ownership) Co-sponsoring orgs both as partners and users, such as devt agencies, the UN and technical NGOs (partnership) UNEP/UN as a facilitator (secretarial services) 2019/1/3

What to expect from the Network What can governments expect? Better knowledge and tech support; Increased national institutional capacity Support for policy, planning and practices … What can partner organizations expect: Info/knowledge sharing (roll out) Scientific credibility More opportunities for coop and new funding 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

Guiding principles Demand-driven, responding timely to needs with high quality services Ownership lies in the countries and regions Multilateral partnership, all contribute to and benefit from it Low-cost, core fund for core services 2019/1/3

Guiding principles (Cont…) Support and build on existing initiatives and institutions, NOT to go parallel with them Science-based, technology-sound, results-oriented Long-term, responding to long-term adaptation needs An open, transparent and inclusive process 2019/1/3

Flowers and fruits The Network encourages flower blooming It must also ensure most of the blooming flowers bear fruits needed by vulnerable countries and communities 2019/1/3

In practice… The Network includes members who are ready and willing to deliver services It also includes associates who are willing to share info etc, but not ready to deliver services directly Robustness: members and associates are interchangeable 2019/1/3

Effective governance structure distributed, dynamic and flexible: Regional steering committees and hubs A global steering committee and a hub (to come thru consultations) 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

3-phase roadmap 2009-2010, Inception and piloting 2011-2012, Full development 2013 onwards, Full operation, robustness 2019/1/3

Work in progress Oct 2008, International consultation --Changwon consensus: Need and core functions Credibility, effectiveness, sustainability Dec 2008, Poznan blessings: Many Parties to COP14 (SBSTA) welcomed and supported the above consensus 2019/1/3

Practices in Asia-Pacific, Africa, W. Asia A Regional Steering Committee (Gov+Sci…) + observers An implementation plan (inception) A regional knowledge hub hosted by an organization from the region AP Network launched on 3 October 2009 by Thai PM Af Network to be launched Nov 2009 2019/1/3

Topics Need Core functions Structure Guiding principles Work in progress… 2019/1/3

Latin America and Caribbean (agenda)? Next steps Latin America and Caribbean (agenda)? Global Part? Copenhagen and beyond?… 2019/1/3

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you ! 2019/1/3