1. Emerging Challenges for LDCs due to Climate Change
Paul V. Desanker
UNFCCC Secretariat, Bonn
OHRLLS Brainstorming on preparation for UNLDC IV: Towards a new partnership for LDCs, NY, July 2010

2. Vulnerability to CC: Sector-specific, depends on exposure, impacts and coping ability, plus depends on scale
Source: Asia Development Bank

3. Vulnerability in LDCs
Factors that define LDCs, all make LDCs have a very low coping ability or adaptative capacity
Lack of adequate resources a major obstacle to addressing adaptation in LDCs
Limited human and institutional capacity in LDCs a constraint in designing viable and sustainable responses to climate change
Top-down approaches not always flexible enough to create solutions for unique situations of an LDC
Pilot adaptation efforts over last 10 years have produced mixed results: Too little, too slow, no quantifiable outcome or impact on reducing vulnerability for all LDCs
Some useful lessons though, about process, how to design interventions, etc
Link between adaptation and mitigation/clean energy should not be overplayed for LDCs

4. Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the UNFCCC
LDC Work Programme developed in 2001 (COP 7), which identified priority needs for LDCs, including preparation and implementation of NAPAs, capacity-building for institutions, research and systematic observation, technology transfer for adaptation, etc
Capacity-building concerns addressed through creation of an LDC Expert Group (LEG) to support preparation and implementation of the NAPAs
A special fund (LDC Fund) created and managed by the GEF, based on voluntary contributions – hasn’t raised the needed levels of funded required to address urgent and immediate adaptation needs in NAPAs

5. Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 1/3
Exposure to Climate Hazards
Physical Safety: Protecting Life and Property against climatic extremes and disasters including along low-lying and coastal areas
Protecting and Preserving Cultural Values and Cultural Systems
Protecting and Improving Design of Critical Infrastructure
Protecting Livelihoods and enhancing adaptive capacity
Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety

6. Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 2/3
Impacts
Agriculture and Food Security: Achieve and Safeguard Food Security
Water Resources and Security
Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety
Climate Proofing Renewable Energy Sources and Supplies

7. Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 3/3
Adaptive Capacity
Protecting Livelihoods and enhancing adaptive capacity
Climate Proofing major components of national economies and Sustainable Development [Socio-economic growth engine]
Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety
Protecting and Enhancing Ecosystem structure and function for Sustainable Provision of Ecosystem Goods and Services
Climate Proofing Renewable Energy Sources and Supplies
Protecting and Improving Design of Critical Infrastructure

8. Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the UNFCCC - Outcomes
While most LDCs have prepared national plans (the NAPAs), and awareness on climate change built, process took too long, not enough resources for implementation of priority adaptation activities, and integration into national development plans and programmes very limited by the small investments
Needs? More more more … more strategic planning, scaled up efforts to meet big challenge posed by climate change in a programmatic manner (not small projects)

9. Major financial flows needed in the following areas:
Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the UNFCCC - Outcomes
Major financial flows needed in the following areas:
Address immediate urgent needs – loss and damage and for building climate resilience
Support medium- to long-term strategic planning for adaptation (climate change process)
Support to climate-proof development efforts (development process)

10. How enhance voice of LDCs on Climate Change?
Need to strengthen LDC negotiating group under the UNFCCC and forge closer links with the LDC Group in the UN
African LDCs need more support through a regional center of excellence/think tank, similar to service provided by SPREP and other centers in the Pacific
Need better coordination of climate change in different sectors, programmes and agencies
LDCs need significant support that is timely, predictable, and that is driven by a national integrated CC-development plan, rather than multiple streams of support
Need a good assessment of the baseline, targets and benchmarks for where LDCs need to be 10 years from now in terms of addressing climate change