Innovative and effective approaches to climate change: Experiences from the Global Climate Change Alliance Brussels 12 th -14 th September 2012 Thematic Presentation: “ Adapting to climate change: agriculture, land and water management ” Dr. Ian Noble, Chief Scientist, Global; Adaptation Institute (GAIN) Formerly Lead CC Specialist, World Bank Session 17, Day 2, 12 th September 2012

Outline Overview of the GCCA experience of adaptation in the agriculture, land and water sectors Key issues from the Background document Complementary issues and questions from global experience Some comments on the Working Group discussion topics 2

An overview of GCCA experience GCCA has 21adaptation activities in 19 countries and in 7 regional programmes Most country programmes are at an early stage of implementation starting in 2012 or 2013, but about half of the regional programmes started in 2011 or before So, this is the critical time for sharing experience and lessons 3

An overview of adaptation related GCCA experience 4 Example from Bhutan, the programme aims to support : Preparation and endorsement of a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan for the Renewable Natural Resources sector Mainstreaming of the Action Plan into the 11th Five-Year Plan (11 th FYP) Implementation of actions reflected in the 11th FYP (focus on the agricultural sector) Establishment of an institutional framework allowing a multi-sectoral approach to CC adaptation

Key issues from the GCCA adaptation related technical paper 5 Understanding and addressing vulnerability GCCA adaptation design and interventions frequently build on already available vulnerability diagnoses and assessments. Testing and demonstrating concrete, ‘appropriate’ measures Physical demonstration of adaptation practices and technologies in the field is a powerful means of evaluating and demonstrating the ‘appropriateness’ of measures

Key issues from the GCCA adaptation related technical paper 6 Building on NAPAs and other adaptation plans The majority of countries receiving GCCA support have been through a process of reflection on climate change adaptation priorities in the context of NAPA preparation and these can provide valuable insights. Supporting adaptation at a strategic, sector-wide level Support for adaptation at a sector-wide level can usefully complement support for specific activities or pilot projects within the sector.

Key issues from the GCCA adaptation related technical paper 7 Involving local communities Adaptation measures, in particular those related to agriculture, water resources management and sustainable land management, are usually implemented at the local level. Engaging local communities creates ownership and contributes to the overall success of initiatives. Engaging the private sector Private sector actors, whether operating in the informal or formal sector, have a role to play in adaptation to climate change.

Key issues from the GCCA adaptation related technical paper 8 Fostering environmental sustainability and resource efficiency Environmental sustainability and resource efficiency are key to the resilience of agriculture and the sustainability of water supply systems. Investing in research, data collection and management Reliable data and a good understanding of on-going processes are required to support all stages of implementing adaptation

Some suggested issues for the Working Groups 9 Are our basic concepts about implementing sound? Are there some that are illusions? What have you been learning from the GCCA and other actions?

Adaptation assessments / frameworks Does your GCCA programme build on the NAPA or other national adaptation plans? If so, how? –Are NAPAs appropriate? (“Urgent & immediate needs”) –Do they need updating? –Are they the right scale of ambition? (c. $2B in total; GCF $10s billions per year) –Do we need the NAPs? –Are “adaptation strategies” counterproductive and / or time inefficient? –Lessons from Mainstreaming session yesterday 10

Why Pilots? Going to scale. Does your GCCA programme include pilot or demonstration projects? Which issues do they address? –Why was a pilot necessary? Learning? Lack of funds/resources for a full programme? Lack of conviction about need for, or effectiveness of, adaptation –Is the pilot testing different options or simply demonstrating feasibility? What is being put in place to support learning and dissemination? –Are you ready to share some materials? –And lessons? 11

How to avoid ‘stand-alone’ adaptation How is your GCCA programme integrating into existing institutional structures (e.g. cross-sector coordination)? –Why is adaptation so often a stand-alone activity? –Is this ever appropriate? When? Does the programme include provisions to make new practices become standard and how? –e.g. changes to administrative rules, procedure and systems Which activities or approaches have proven most successful in strengthening capacities and institutions? –e.g. internal information sharing –sensitising players to the differing goals and approaches, – in-country technical assistance –South-south cooperation. 12

Defining stakeholder roles and responsibilities Who are the major stakeholder groups? –National & Local Governments, NGOs, Private Sector, Local Communities, Technical Specialists (e.g. researchers), others? Do their roles overlap? –Is overlap useful or inefficient? Who leads and when? –Role of ‘champions’ –What about opposing ‘champions’ What are the effective communication paths? 13

Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Development – the boundaries? The pros and cons of full integration –Pro Skill sharing; shared data collection; avoidance of ‘silos’; … –Con Differing goals and operating modes; domination by most powerful partner; stakeholder confusion … –Funding silos Contributor and recipient driven Can the “adaptation component” be identified? –Need it be identified? 14

Are we missing something? 15 MRV Loss & damage versus adaptation effort ???