ICTs and Climate Change Adaptation

1. ICTs and Climate Change Adaptation Angelica V Ospina, University of Manchester, UK Cristina Bueti, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

2. Outline PART I - Angelica The Integration of ICTs and Climate Change Adaptation PART II -Cristina Preview of Upcoming Report: “Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and ICT: The Case of Ghana”

3. PART IICTs & Climate Change AdaptationAngelica V OspinaCenter for Development InformaticsUniversity of Manchester, UK

4. Background- Part I • ‘Climate Change, ICTs and Innovation’ project (2009-2012). • University of Manchester, UK, in partnership with Canada’s IDRC • “Making Policy on ICTs and Climate Change in Developing Countries” http://www.niccd.org/ICCD_Policy_Guidance_Paper.pdf

5. Meeting Point • ICT & CC Adaptation

6. ICTs and CC Adaptation: • 1. Why to meet? • 2. Where to meet? • 3. How to meet? • Conclusion: Guiding Principles

7. 1. WHY should ICT and CC Adaptation Meet? • Informed Decision-making • Stakeholder Engagement • Feedback and Learning Policy PROCESS ICT and CC ADAPTATION POLICIES • Adaptation Delivery Policy CONTENT Policy STRUCTURES • Institutional Capacity Building

8. 2. WHERE do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet? ICTs Climate Change Adaptation INTERNATIONAL Level NATIONAL Level SECTORAL Level COMMUNITY Level

9. 3. HOW do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet ICT’s contribution to: -Process -Content -Structures Task 3b: Monitoring & Evaluation Formulation of a CC Adaptation Strategy Task 3a: Implementation Task 2c: Select Adaptation Measures Task 1: Synthesise Knowledge Task 2a: Design Adaptation Strategy Task 2b: Formulate Adaptation Options Task 2d: Formulate Adaptation Strategy

10. HOW do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet: PROCESS ICT 1. Informed Decision-Making ICT 2. Stakeholder Engagement ICT 3. Feedback and Learning Monitoring & Evaluation ICT 4. Adaptation Delivery Implementation Select Adaptation Measures Synthesise Knowledge Design Adaptation Strategy Formulate Adaptation Options Formulate Adaptation Strategy ICT 5. Institutional Capacity Building CONTENT STRUCTURE

11. a. ICT and Policy Process

12. b. ICT and Policy Content

13. c. ICT and Policy Structures

14. c. ICT and Policy Structures SCIENCE STATE COMMUNITY BUSINESS ICTs and CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY STRUCTURES

15. Meeting Point • ICT & CC Adaptation WHY WHERE HOW

16. In Conclusion: Guiding Principles • ICT and CC Adaptation as a Process, not a Blueprint • ICT and CC Adaptation Strategies as a reflection of Local Priorities • ICT and CC Adaptation as an Opportunity for Innovation • ICT and CC Adaptation as an Integrated Approach • ICT and CC Adaptation Strategies based on a ‘Climate-Smart Development’ Vision

17. PART II-Preview-Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and ICTs: The Case of GhanaCristina BuetiAdvisor on Environment and Climate Change ITU

18. Background • Enhance the transformational role of ICT for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, will require the use of three technology types: telecommunication systems, observation systems, and information systems. • Recognize that there is need to build capacities in developing countries to support ICT as tool for climate change adaptation and DRR. Capacity development is required in three dimensions - institutional development, human resources enhancement and systems development, in particular, relating to legislative and regulatory frameworks. • Forge partnerships and engage all stakeholders to address climate change, due to its multi-disciplinary nature, is critical. ITU’s Sixth Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change, Ghana, 7th-8th July 2011. Accra Call to Action: Recognition of ICT’s role in Adaptation, Mitigation, Capacity Building and Technology Transfer:

19. ITU Project in Ghana “Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and ICTs: The Case of Ghana”

20. Key Stakeholders: Agencies International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Ministry of Communications ° In cooperation with Environmental Protection Agency Sponsors

21. Impacts of Climate Change in Ghana “Africa's contribution to greenhouse gases is low; however the continent is suffering the most in terms of the effects of climate change. Cocoa for instance could become a rare crop in the next 15 years if something is not done to reverse the effects of climate change.” H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Vice President, Ghana • Evidence of climate change abound in Ghana. Temperature has increased by 0.6 - 0.8 °C since 1960. • According to projections of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by 2080 the rainfall will reduce by 20% to 40% while the temperature will rise by 4.5 C. • All these conditions will not be suitable for the growing of cocoa anywhere in the country. • The rainfall pattern is affecting maize production. By 2020 it is projected that there will be a 7% decline in production.

22. ICT and CC Adaptation at Different Levels: The Case of Ghana ICTs Ghana’s Climate Change Adaptation ICTs & CC Adaptation INTERNATIONAL Level • Role within International CC Negotiations and Actions Key Stages of the Adaptation Process: • Informed Decision Making • Stakeholder Engagement • Adaptation Delivery • Feedback & Learning • Institutional Capacity Building NATIONAL Level Examples related to: SECTORAL&COMMUNITY Level • Food Security • Water Supply • Health • Infrastructure

23. Setting an ICT and CC Policy Structure International Climate Change Negotiations/Partners (e.g. UNFCCC, ITU) National Poverty Reduction/Development Plans National Climate Change Strategy STRATEGIC LEVEL: ICT AND CC POLICY DESING Key ICT and Environmental Authorities High-Level Advisory Group on ICTs, CC and Sectoral Priorities Ministry of ICTs/ Telecommunications Ministry of Environment OPERATIONAL LEVEL: ICT AND CC POLICY IMPLEMENTATION Other Government Institutions with ICTs and Environmental Responsibilities Territorial and Local Authorities Other Sectors Other Ministries National Regulatory Bodies Operational and Technical Deployment Civil Society National Research Institutes

24. Policy Process for the Integration of ICTs and CC Awareness raising and strategizing, with a focus on the specific climatic issues, needs and priorities of the context. Problem definition, based on vulnerability and technology assessments, in collaboration with local stakeholders. Identification of ICT-enabled solutions and standards, with a focus on identifying appropriate ICT-enabled applications. Identification and selection of policies/strategies/standards that integrate ICTs and adaptation actions. Implementation and Evaluation

25. Key Areas of Action: Preliminary Assessment No single ICT solution, but flexible, combined approaches that prioritize the most appropriate technologies for the local context. Key ICT functions: observation, analysis, planning, implementation and management, capacity building and networking. Design and implementation of long-term strategies that integrate issues of ICT and climate change content, structures and process. Continue to raise awareness on ICTs’ adaptation and mitigation potential.

26. Next Steps: “Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and ICTs: The Case of Ghana” to be Published July 2012. ITU’s Green Standards Week- September 2012, Paris. Online Meeting with Q & A once the Report is published- Date TBC

27. Conclusion “Climate change is affecting Ghana’s economic output and livelihoods and is a threat to our development prospects. This is now everybody’s business, and all stakeholders need to be part of the response.” The Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications, Ghana

28. More Information Cristina Bueti greenstandard@itu.int http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/

29. Thank YOU