Adaptation to Climate Change Actions in Mongolia Adaptation Workshop IFAD, Rome May 2007

Overall framework  1993 – Ratification of the UNFCCC (signed in 1992)  National Action Programme on Climate Change:  Priorities and integration of CC concerns into other national and sectoral development plans  Measures, actions and strategies for GHG mitigation and CC adaptation  Initial National Communication (INC) under the UNFCCC:  It includes national GHG inventories, policies and strategies on adaptation to climate change and reduction of greenhouse gases;  It reflects some country-specific circumstances and climate change concerns.  Potential Impacts of Climate Change & Evaluation of Adaptation Measures for Livestock Sector: Main aim: to stretch out the potential impacts of climate change upon the natural environment and upon the livestock sector, which is the major economic activity of Mongolia. Main aim: to stretch out the potential impacts of climate change upon the natural environment and upon the livestock sector, which is the major economic activity of Mongolia. The results of this project will be direct input to the preparation on the Second National Communication The results of this project will be direct input to the preparation on the Second National Communication

National GHG Inventory (Initial National Communication -2001) The Mongolian GHG inventories follow the IPCC 1996 Guidelines. Emissions included are: CO 2, CH 4, N 2 0, NOx, CO. The Mongolian GHG inventories follow the IPCC 1996 Guidelines. Emissions included are: CO 2, CH 4, N 2 0, NOx, CO. Identification of GHG emission trend Identification of GHG emission trend Indication of emission by sources Indication of emission by sources CO 2 CH 4

Characterization of Climate Change in Mongolia (2006) Temperature in Mongolia has increased by 1.80C since Temperature in Mongolia has increased by 1.80C since The occurrence of natural disasters like extreme hot and cold weather, drought, dzud, flood and sand storms in Mongolia has increased. The occurrence of natural disasters like extreme hot and cold weather, drought, dzud, flood and sand storms in Mongolia has increased. Melting of high mountain glaciers has increased. Melting of high mountain glaciers has increased. Permafrost is degrading intensively. Permafrost is degrading intensively. Ground water table is decreasing in arid regions, and degradation and desertification of the land due to shortage of water and precipitation have been intensifying. Ground water table is decreasing in arid regions, and degradation and desertification of the land due to shortage of water and precipitation have been intensifying. Heat wave duration

Achievements to date Data collection and management has improved Data collection and management has improved National information exchange network established National information exchange network established A multi-disciplinary team of scientists has been created A multi-disciplinary team of scientists has been created Permanent climate-animal observation site established Permanent climate-animal observation site established

CC Impact Assessment Source: Source: Potential Impacts of Climate Change & Evaluation of Adaptation Measures for Livestock Sector (2006) Natural environmental impacts: CC impact on natural zone, water resources, snow cover and permafrost Natural environmental impacts: CC impact on natural zone, water resources, snow cover and permafrost Ecological and economic impacts: pasture, livestock Ecological and economic impacts: pasture, livestock See full documentation for more details

Vulnerability to CC Focus on climate extremes of drought and dzud

Recently proposed adaptation measures for livestock sector (Potential Impacts of Climate Change & Evaluation of Adaptation Measures for Livestock Sector ) Focus on: Focus on: Conserving the natural resources Conserving the natural resources Strengthening animal productivity Strengthening animal productivity Enhancing capacities and livelihood opportunities of rural communities Enhancing capacities and livelihood opportunities of rural communities Increasing food security and supply Increasing food security and supply Improving understanding of climate extremes and forecasting Improving understanding of climate extremes and forecasting Main actions to be taken to address: Main actions to be taken to address: (a) gradual long-term changes (degradation of quantity and quality of pasture); (b) changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme events (drought and dzud). However there are problems that may impede the implementation of these measures…

Need for further action (2006) To implement the proposed adaptation measures it is necessary to address the following problems: no coordination of sectoral actions and no clear definition of responsibilities Institutional: no coordination of sectoral actions and no clear definition of responsibilities Financial: l ack of financial resources for initial investments would limit the implementation of the measures. Financial: l ack of financial resources for initial investments would limit the implementation of the measures. Technical ack of appropriate technologies and know-how Technical: lack of appropriate technologies and know-how Legislative: the legal, regulatory and standardization framework for pasture use is inadequate to effectively implement some of the adaptation measures. Legislative: the legal, regulatory and standardization framework for pasture use is inadequate to effectively implement some of the adaptation measures. Other problems: Organizational constraints. Organizational constraints. Introduction of the market economy in Mongolia. Introduction of the market economy in Mongolia.

Conclusion The development of an adaptation strategy goes through the following steps: Assessment of past and present climate change Assessment of past and present climate change Identification of more vulnerable areas and sectors Identification of more vulnerable areas and sectors Assessment of potential impacts Assessment of potential impacts Identification of possible adaptation options Identification of possible adaptation options Identification of the constraints Identification of the constraints And now on the basis of this analysis we should be able to: Formulate alternative strategies Formulate alternative strategies Develop implementation strategies Develop implementation strategies