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Community level adaptation for policy makers. Some practical steps and ideas. ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme. Typology of decision/policy maker. Livelihood practitioner e.g. farmer/fisher Village chief/traditional authority/religious leader Local government
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Community level adaptation for policy makers Some practical steps and ideas ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Typology of decision/policy maker • Livelihood practitioner e.g. farmer/fisher • Village chief/traditional authority/religious leader • Local government • National government and policy making bodies • International/supranational ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Barriers to engaging decision/policy makers • Low understanding of climate issues/lack of information • Time in which to change perceptions /convince the need for change/obtain enabling permissions, legitimacy ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Concerns of local decision makers/enablers • Responding to a politically influenced agenda • Retaining credibility • Control ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Climate impacts Decision and policy-making remoteness from real life experience of CC impacts Livelihood practitioner Village elders/ traditional authority Religious leader Local government National government ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Adaptation/development - some old ideas • Amartya Sen - development as the creation of choice and underdevelopment as having no choice or no say in what happens • Adaptation is a social response to human and environmental vulnerability. Most vulnerability has not been caused by climate change, but climate change has become an added factor that is exacerbating vulnerability. • Adaptation is not innovative, the way of thinking is
Upper Zambezi Valley - major mode of productive activity • Cultivation • Livestock – cattle • Fishing • Reed products and crafts ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Major concerns among producers • Lack of working capital • Undeveloped markets • Reducing productivity (partly due to drought/flood and partly due to the unreliability of the weather and new threats from weather events • Land tenure/ownership issues • Out-migration of ‘useful’ people • In-migration of ‘useless’ people from elsewhere - crime, guns and refugees ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Adaptation/development - some old ideas • Adaptation/development is about the creation of alternatives and choices. • Most vulnerability has not been caused by climate change, but climate change has become an added factor that is exacerbating vulnerability. • Adaptation is not innovative, the way of thinking is • Adaptation is a positive social response to human and environmental vulnerability. Creates insurance policies.
Some key tips • Know your decision maker, the right person • Know your product • Be respectful • Be flexible • Have empathy • Send someone who is experienced at talking with decision makers • Never promise more than can be achieved • Be positive about climate adaptation – threats and opportunities