The Adaptation Policy Framework Bill Dougherty Stockholm Environment Institute – Boston Center Manila April 2004 An overview of the new UNDP-GEF product

Outline Background (context, vision, objectives, approach) APF materials APF in practice Next steps

Context Previous studies/guidance: Builds on earlier work National Communications, NCSP Previous methodologies IPCC Third Assessment Report, 2001 UNFCCC/UNDP workshop, 2001 Lack of progress on adaptation: First NC Countries reported difficulty in prioritising adaptations Few adaptations implemented Many studies remained as reports How to Move from Studies to Policy Action?

APF Guiding Vision A society whose response to climate change combines national policy-making with proactive “bottom-up” or “grass roots” actions

APF Goals and Objectives Ultimate goal Ultimate goal is to protect and, when possible, enhance human well-being in the face of climate variability and change Development objective Development objective is to facilitate the incorporation of adaptation into a country’s national development strategy by promoting sustainable policy processes and reducing climate vulnerability Operational objective Operational objective is to provide technical guidance to national climate change teams for developing and assessing climate change adaptation policies and measures

APF Approach: Guiding Principles Place adaptation in a development context Build on current adaptive experience to cope with future climate Recognize that adaptation occurs at different levels -- in particular, the local (bottom-up) Recognize that adaptation will be an ongoing process

APF Approach: Innovations The APF aims to: Link grassroots with national policy-making, utilizing a stakeholder-driven and “bottom-up” approach Focus on recent climate experience Coordinate with current development policies, priorities and commitments (e.g., MEAs) as well as proposed future activities and investments, focusing on maladaptive activities Integrate assessments across sectors and scales

APF Structure Engage stakeholders Increase adaptive capacity 1. Scope project 2. Assess current vulnerability 3. Characterize future climate-related risks 4. Develop adaptation strategy 5. Continue adaptation process

APF Structure: Steps and Guidance

APF Structure: Resource “Package” Executive Summary User’s Guidebook 9 Technical Papers (TPs) 1. Project scope and design 2. Stakeholders 3. Vulnerability assessment 4. Current climate risks 5. Future climate risks 5-Module Training Package trainer’s packet (slides, notes, background reading), trainee’s packet (exercise workbook, case studies, background reading) Illustrative Case Study Series CD-Rom of Guidebook, TPs, Case Studies, and related tools and resources 6. Socio-economic conditions 7. Adaptive capacity 8. Formulation of adaptation strategy 9. Evaluate, monitor, and review

APF in Practice: Framing the Policy Question  What kind of policy instruments will reduce vulnerability to climate change?  What kind of policy decisions might be influenced by a project?  How might project results be introduced onto the local, or national policy agenda?

APF in Practice: Target audience Initial Primary audience Climate change teams in developing countries GEF projects Secondary audience Policy makers Sectoral/environmental managers Experts (including developed countries) Multilateral and bilateral agencies …

APF in Practice: Operations Coordination and implementation achieved with: An APF team that is representative of studies specific priorities (as identified in scoping process) Broad, active stakeholder participation, from communities to line agencies Incentives for stakeholders to continue the process beyond the project lifetime

APF in Practice: Flexibility Use of APF steps can be tailored to suit national priorities (key vulnerable systems) previous national assessments national team capacities budget time

APF in Practice: Outputs Self-sustaining stakeholder process Increased national capacity for adaptation assessment Recommendations for adaptation strategies, policies and measures Strategy for continuing adaptation process

APF in Practice: Outputs (2) Strategies Re-align national sustainable development goals Re-align poverty reduction programmes Policies Develop a portfolio of adaptations Implement guidelines for adaptation in national and local planning Measures Overcome barriers to adaptation Enhance adaptive capacity Alter investment plans

APF Next steps Phase I: Methodologies ( )  Development of methodological material (User’s Guidebook, Technical Papers, case studies)  Development and provision of training on methods Phase II: Implementation Support ( )  New TP series, focused on implementation  Planning and implementation of continuous professional development activities  Promotion of region-specific methods and expertise  Promotion of learning networks  Development of a web-based support tool  Translation