Integrating Climate Resilience in Post Disaster Economic Recovery and Livelihoods

1. Integrating Climate Resilience in Post Disaster Economic Recovery and Livelihoods Sameer Karki Why and Issues to Consider when planning climate resilient post-disaster economic and livelihoods recovery

2. Outline 1. Linking climate change, disasters and adaptation 2. Why consider Impacts of Climate Change? 3. Why should post disaster recovery consider Climate Change (CC) adaptation? 4. Why post disaster recovery offer an opportunity for Climate Change Adaptation 5. Issues for mainstreaming climate change adaptation issues into post-disaster situation – including examples of possible “no-regret” actions that can be linked to Tracks A/ B/C of livelihoods support that also benefits adaptation 6. Summary

3. Conceptually Linking CCA and DRR Source: MANAGING THE RISKS OF EXTREME EVENTS AND DISASTERS TO ADVANCE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, Special Report of the IPCC, 2012

4. Climate Change Adaptation and DRM Source: Toward Resilience A Guide to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Practical Action Publishing Ltd, The Schumacher Centre, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9QZ, UK

5. Why consider Impacts of Climate Change? Climate is Changing we have no choice but to adapt Climate Change Can cause extreme weather and climate events changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration, and timing of extreme weather and climate events (increase in natural hazards) Combination of climate change trends (such as sea level rises) and increased frequency of storms, for example will have cumulative impacts In some areas of the world, warming and changes in sea level may also give rise to some benefits DO NOT Forget though : In future, many extreme weather and climate events will continue to be due to natural climate variability

6. Why consider Impacts of Climate Change? IPCCC, 2012 notes that Human Impacts and Disaster Losses will include: Direct impacts on people's lives, livelihoods and assets: Especially on climate linked sectors such as fisheries, agriculture , forestry, and health. there is high confidence that changes in climate have the potential to seriously affect water management systems. Changes and Increases in exposure will result in higher direct economic losses from tropical cyclones in many areas

7. Why should post disaster recovery consider Climate Change (CC) adaptation? If post-disaster recovery work is not climate change resilient : Post disaster recovery may be undermined by climate variability and change (CC negatively impacts current or future gains) – e.g. building settlements along low lying coasts that may be vulnerable to sea-level rises; focusing on strengthening natural resources based livelihoods (such as fisheries) rather than promoting diversification may make such livelihood vulnerable to climate variability and change Recovery work themselves may further exacerbate negative impacts of climate change (CC and recovery work together may have unintended negative impacts) (sea walls hold back rainwater, causing local flooding)

8. Why should post disaster recovery consider Climate Change (CC) adaptation? Any likely benefits from climate change may be missed (warming in some areas may allow cultivation of new crop varieties/ species) Communities will continue to be vulnerable to natural disasters related to climate change Practically – funding for climate change adaptation may be more longer term than post-disaster recovery and more funds may be available.

9. Why post disaster recovery offer an opportunity for Climate Change Adaptation? Post disaster situation may allow for new plans to be developed: 1. Communities may be more open to try new ideas/ options (such as trying new livelihood options and relocation to safer grounds away from low lying coastal areas after tsunami, which may also be better in context of CC related sea level rise/ higher tides) 2. Financial and technical assistance from external sources post-disaster may allow communities to undertake actions that are CC resilient, which they may not have had the resources to attempt on their own However – external supporting agency must be wary of coercing people/ communities – as will not be sustainable

10. Though general historical trends have been studied on changes in sea level, temperatures etc., and climate models exist for larger geographic scales, there is no reliable models to predict what changes will happen and when – especially at local levels (at smaller scales) This means – being sensible, precautionary (within reasons) and practical in our approach Learning from ongoing climate change adaptation projects Learning from/ building on local communities' experiences and perceptions REMEMBER: Good post-disaster recovery/ development that addresses causes of vulnerability, including inequalities and poverty is critical for high resilience to further disasters and climate change impacts Issues for mainstreaming climate change adaptation issues into post-disaster situation

11. Issues to consider when planning integration of CCA with DRMAdapted from MANAGING THE RISKS OF EXTREME EVENTS AND DISASTERS TO ADVANCE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION , IPCC, 2012 Make sure that the livelihoods and infrastructure restoration work is relevant under prevailing climate and variability!!! If long-term significant investment is being planned - such as airports etc. make sure that they consider longer-term climate change impacts in that area Focus on “low regret options” that provide benefits under current climate and a range of future climate change scenarios such as: Sustainable land and ecosystem management and restoration (See Mongolia example later) Maintenance of local crop/ livestock diversity Water supply, sanitation, and irrigation and drainage system Climate-resilient/ appropriate infrastructure development (including locating into appropriate areas) “ Other examples of “low regret” options include Early warning systems; improvements to health surveillance, Local capacity building

12. Issues to consider when planning integration of CCA with DRMAdapted from MANAGING THE RISKS OF EXTREME EVENTS AND DISASTERS TO ADVANCE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION , IPCC, 2012 Promote Multi-hazard risk management approaches that provide opportunities to reduce complex and compound hazards. Considering multiple types of hazards reduces the likelihood that risk reduction efforts targeting one type of hazard will increase exposure and vulnerability to other hazards, in the present and future. Look at the climate issues more holistically and not just as related to the disaster (e.g. an area with flood disaster may also face seasonal droughts, so all post-disaster work only tailored to floods will not be suitable) – e.g. if fooding disaster occurred, and post disaster only focuses on resilience against floods, communities may not be adapted as they may also face seasonal droughts Integrate local knowledge with additional scientific and technical knowledge can improve disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation Don't forget that in communities may be affected by climate change impacts on locations away from their immediate settlements – so understand their wider development/ livelihoods connections/ contexts

13. Issues to consider when planning integration of CCA with DRM Be Wary of Over-Investment on actions if future predictions are not sure Hidden agendas

14. Issues to consider when planning integration of CCA with DRM Linking post-disaster livelihoods and economic recovery – Tracks A, B, C and climate change adaptation – some examples 1. Could use ecosystems based adaptation approaches as a part of Track A/ B local livelihoods generation (food for work/ cash for work and as part of reviving local natural resources management institutions/ to bring quick befits)

15. “No regret” projects - Ecosystem Based Adaptation (UNDP led LDCF/ SCCF/ AF projects) - could be used as part of Track A but with benefits occurring now and under Tack B/ C a. Reducing Disaster Risk from Wildfire Hazards Associated with Climate Change In South Africa fire breaks, prescribed burning, invasive alien plant management, early fire detection and rapid response, and access to improved early warning weather information, risk and hazard mapping,  communication, rapid response b. Reduce Climate Change-induced Risks and Vulnerabilities from Glacial Lake Outbursts Floods in the Punakha-Wangdi and Chamkhar Valleys artificial lowering of Glacial lake levels c. Ecosystem Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Seychelles Addressing water scarcity and flooding with increased but irregular rainfall and coastal flooding from rising sea surface levels, and increased cyclonic activity. Increase water-soil infiltration and water storage capacities in soils, wetlands and aquifers - Forest restoration; removal of invasive alien species and reduction in abstraction from wetlands. Reduce coastal erosionand protection: Mangrove reforestation, restoration, rehabilitation of sand dunes by planting local species in order to stabilize them, ; Coral reef (fringing) construction, rehabilitation, restoration and protection to reduce wave action and reduce coastal erosion.

16. Tracks A / B/ C – “longer term” livelihoods and adaptation Adapatation in Kiribati 1. “Medium term” : Food insecurities caused by climate change • reduced productivity from seawater incursions on land and transportation disruptions : more use of local genetic diversity of crops/ introduction of new varieties/ more local storage and distribution systems nationally • More fish aggregating device • Local household food processing/ storage and increasing use of local food crops 2. Longer term: Impacts on coral reefs causing decline in fish productivity • Change in fishing practice – change target species to sea bottom dwelling fish (demersal species) and invertebrates • More controlled harvesting of herbivore fish and sea cucumbers • More effective management of coral reefs so that they are themselves less stressed now and maybe able to adapt to certain level of sea temperature changes and acidification 3. Even longer term : improving education and language skills for better jobs now and for possible migration to other countries / purchase of land in Fiji for possible relocation

17. Use Track A/ B / C as time bound actions with caution Mongolia: Change in precipitation patterns and increase in temperatures (up to 6C) and heat waves (record temperature in 2010 in Ulaanbaatar) Major change in hydrological regime – volume and timing of flow, flood regime, river ice formation; and Land Degradation – Reduction of soil infiltration rate and reduced water storage capacity, declining biomass quality and quantity Increasing ecosystem resilience through protection and restoration • Restoration of forest, steppe and alpine ecosystems to enhance water infiltration and storage capacities in aquifers and wetlands • Restoration of wetlands – removing aliens and reducing abstraction • Integrated management of wildfires to reduce disturbance of hydrological functioning One response: Ecosystem Based Adaptation Approach to Maintaining Water Security in Critical Water Catchments in Mongolia Project (UNDP, GOM and the Adaptation Fund) Many actions could be done under Track A ----

18. Use Track A/ B / C as time bound actions with caution – exampe from Mongolia Mongolia: Lets assume that it faces severe winter again (called “DZUD”). Since most ecosystems management work cannot be started until end of winter – and may be 6 months of disaster, if we stick closely to Track A as initial response etc. some useful opportunities for future disaster (from drought) and climate changes may be missed Always think outside the box and be creative...

19. Summary Likely impacts of climate change, if not considered, can undermine development gains (post disaster) and present additional stresses and shocks to communities' assets and livelihoods Appropriate climate change adaptation consideration into post-disaster recovery should be ones that benefit communities now and in future Implement such “no-regret” ideas from early stages of post-disaster recovery – build on experiences and examples that already exist Use approaches/ ideas/ theories with caution and always be willing to think outside the box and be creative

20. Sameer.karki@gmail.com