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Ecosystem Based Adaptation – Measuring Effectiveness

Ali Raza RizviGlobal Programme Manager EbA

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature

June 9, 2014

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Contents

Focus of this presentation is mainly on the evidence from the field i.e. lesson learned from the field-based projects in developing countries

• Mapping Results of IUCN EbA Projects

• Lessons Learned – Knowledge Gaps & Way Forward

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EbA in IUCN

• IUCN has been involved in 45 Ecosystem based Adaptation related projects in 58 countries throughout the world in the last five years.

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EbA in IUCN

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EbA in IUCN

Drylands Mountain Regions

River basins Coastal & Marine areas

Forests Agricultural landscapes

Other 0

5

10

15

20

Projects, Ecosystems and Regions

West & Central Africa

East & South Africa

South America

Central America

West Asia

Asia

Ecosystems

No.

of p

roje

cts

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Project Focus EbA Related Activities

Policy influencing component

Gender component

Community adaptive capacity

Ecosystem/landscape restoration (i.e. NRM/IWRM interventions)

EbA Cost-Benefit

Securing livelihoods

Disaster Risk Reduction

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Project focus Areas

Drylands

Mountain Regions

Riverbasins

Coastal & Marine areas

Forests

Agricultural landscapes

Other (i.e. PA's)

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Donors’ Contribution

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Tools/Methodologies Employed

Climate Resilience Evaluation for Adaptation Through Empowerment (CREATE)

Toolkit for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the capacity to adapt to climate change (TOP-SECAC)

Community-based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation & Livelihoods (CRiSTAL)

Promoting Local Innovations (PLI) Analysis of Vulnerability and Resilience to Climate Change

(AVCA) Participatory Rapid Assessment (PRA) Participatory Learning Appraisal (PLA) Poverty Assessment Toolkit

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Tools & Guidelines Produced

Climate Resilience Evaluation for Adaptation Through Empowerment (CREATE) Promoting Local Innovation for community adaptation Resilience Assessment of Coral Reefs Framework for impact monitoring of Marine Protected Areas EbA Approach - IWRM/Governance Principles to integrate EbA Approach into Project Planning ToT modules on: water governance, risk and water management, livelihoods,

ecosystem-based adaptation (Spanish) Field notebook explaining the link between climate change and ecosystems

(Spanish) Community Environmental Action Planning (Botswana, Namibia and South Africa) Catalogue of Good Practices for Adaptation to Climate Risks (Burkina Faso) Toolkit for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Capacity to Adapt to Climate

Change (French) Guidelines for the development of water infrastructure in West Africa

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Methodologies & Tools – In Process

• Resilience Analysis Protocol (Mangroves For the Future)• Identifying and Measuring EbA Benefits (Holistic Approach to

Governance for EbA, Coastal/River Basins) – Central America• Participatory Plan of Action (Gender Responsive Climate Change,

Drylands. League of Arab States (Jordan & Egypt)• M&E tool for Improved livelihood and Resilience against Drought

(Water for Livestock, Drylands, Kenya)• Guidelines and standards on climate resilience in the four NAPA

sectors for subsequent up-scaling - Laos• A guide on climate financing in Laos• Guidelines for integrating climate change adaptation approaches in

trans-boundary ecosystem management (Kenya-Uganda)• A Framework Methodology for Integrating Climate Change

Vulnerability Assessments: Species Distribution Models and Traits-Based Assessments (Togo, Mali Chad, Sierra Leone, Gambia)

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Methodologies & Tools – In Process

• Link between climate change, protected areas and communities (West Africa)

• Use of planning tools and simple monitoring and evaluation by the rural communities for climate adaptation (French)

• Gender and Climate Change Manual – Jordan • Participatory Planning Cycle Framework (Social, Ecological,

Agricultural climate resilience) Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine – MENA Region

• Adaptation Resilience Framework – MENA Region• Operational Framework for EbA

– Compendium of VIA Tools and Methodologies– Cost Benefit Analysis /RoI for local decision making– Set of No Regret Action for Specific Ecosystems – incl. Low Regret– EbA M&E incl. EbA Indicators for Specific Ecosystems

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Learning and Reflections

• Baseline data is essential to demonstrate achievement of indicators.

• All projects, as per their context, must have appropriate and strategically defined set of tools and approaches incl. working definitions of concepts and terminology.

• Most importantly, an integrated tool (or set of tools) that addresses not only communities’ vulnerabilities but also those faced by local biodiversity and ecosystems.

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Learning and Reflections

• Vulnerability Assessment – either very narrow focused, mainly on perceptions or too broad and time consuming

• Should be based on – Project objectives– Available resources – Integrated vulnerability tools

• Need to have phased approach – Rapid appraisal of vulnerabilities– In-depth assessment of prioritized issues

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Learning and Reflections

No-Regrets• Early in a project, set of no-regrets measures is an important

means of building trust and a very efficient first step in a long-term adaptation strategy.

• No Regret could lead to – maladaptation – adverse impacts on local biodiversity and ecosystems – ad hoc livelihood activities– conflict

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Learning and Reflections

• Conservation sector mostly lacks competencies for inclusive and rights based approaches – gender as a sprinkle; questionable choice of beneficiaries; equity issues – No Harm Policy is a Must!

• Going beyond no-regret options, at times, is a big challenge.

• All projects must have indicators that measure effective adaptation from an early stage of project implementation

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Learning and Reflections

• EbA is one area where strong synergies can be developed between adaptation, mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Loss & Damage.

• Adaptation cannot be achieved through working in one area/sector or in a limited timeframe; it’s an ongoing process that must cut across all sectors.

• There is a crucial need to design and implement interventions which demonstrate additionality and not business as usual.

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Thank You!

Photos by Kimsreng, IUCN Cambodia