Adaptation: Experience from ground realities and recommendation for post 2012 scenario

1. Adaptation: Experience from ground realities and recommendation for post 2012 scenario TP Singh Regional Group Head, Ecosystems & Livelihoods, IUCN Asia

2. Some issues to consider • Climate change is happening now and will continue to happen • The most important impact of CC would be on natural resource base. • Livelihoods of majority of the population in the Asian countries is linked with the natural resource base.

3. The challenge … • Failure to build capacity to adapt to climate change will have enormous socio-economic and biological consequences • National action alone, or uncoordinated action by each country is inadequate

4. In Bangladesh IUCN supported policy influence with evidence from sectoral studies formulation of National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPA) development of “Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan” launched on 10th September 2008 adaptation at local level: vulnerability assessment, improving housing and boat design, new cropping pattern Awareness raising among school children Examples on adaptation activities

5. Other examples… • CRISTAL (Community-Based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods) tools promoted in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka • Dialogues on Water and climate in South and South-East Asia under WANI (Water and Nature Initiative) • Ecosystem as infrastructure: Mangroves for the Futureprogram in tsunami hit countries

6. Recommendations • Adaptation is a development issue, must be placed within context of sustainable development • Climate change concerns to be mainstreamed into country’s sectoral development programs • Awareness raising among all stakeholders • Capacity development in • science, impacts and adaptation assessment • prediction of climate risks • Preparation and implementation of CDM projects • international negotiation & climate diplomacy

7. Enhanced action on Adaptation • Reducing greenhouse gas Emissions from Deforestation and ecosystem Degradation (REDD) to be brought under future negotiation • International cooperation to support : • Assessment of Vulnerability • Financial needs assessment • Development of risk reduction and disaster management strategies • Financial mechanism to support the implementation of NAPAs. • Work with Private Sector and revisiting CSR policy

8. Carbon credit transfer through Forest Development Agencies in India JFM/VP Forests ⇜ Carbon Sequestration ⇜ ⇜ Monitoring and evaluation Third party verification Regeneration Sequestered carbon VFC/VP Private entity CERs Provides guarantees Forest Development Agency Global carbon market Carbon credits VFC/VP Funds Funds VFC/VP • Generates livelihood opportunities • Direct employment • Village development activities • Rural development programs • Forest resources development VFC/VP

9. Adaptation to climate change Adverse consequences of climate change can be reduced by adaptation strategies, policies and measures We need to assess and act upon threats and opportunities that result from both existing & future climate change Existing capacities are the starting point for adaptation actions to protect people and biodiversity Adaptation to climate change must be part of the development process and not separated

10. THANK YOU