Transcript Paul V. Desanker - un

Emerging Challenges for
LDCs due to Climate
Change
Paul V. Desanker
UNFCCC Secretariat, Bonn
OHRLLS Brainstorming on preparation for UNLDC IV: Towards a new partnership for LDCs,
NY, 14-16 July 2010
Vulnerability to CC: Sector-specific, depends on exposure, impacts and
coping ability, plus depends on scale
Source: Asia Development Bank
Vulnerability in LDCs
• Factors that define LDCs, all make LDCs have a very low coping ability or
adaptative capacity
• Lack of adequate resources a major obstacle to addressing adaptation in LDCs
• Limited human and institutional capacity in LDCs a constraint in designing viable
and sustainable responses to climate change
• Top-down approaches not always flexible enough to create solutions for unique
situations of an LDC
• Pilot adaptation efforts over last 10 years have produced mixed results: Too little,
too slow, no quantifiable outcome or impact on reducing vulnerability for all LDCs
• Some useful lessons though, about process, how to design interventions, etc
• Link between adaptation and mitigation/clean energy should not be overplayed for
LDCs
Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the
UNFCCC
• LDC Work Programme developed in 2001 (COP 7), which
identified priority needs for LDCs, including preparation and
implementation of NAPAs, capacity-building for institutions,
research and systematic observation, technology transfer for
adaptation, etc
• Capacity-building concerns addressed through creation of an LDC
Expert Group (LEG) to support preparation and implementation of
the NAPAs
• A special fund (LDC Fund) created and managed by the GEF,
based on voluntary contributions – hasn’t raised the needed levels
of funded required to address urgent and immediate adaptation
needs in NAPAs
Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 1/3
Exposure to Climate Hazards
• Physical Safety: Protecting Life and Property against
climatic extremes and disasters including along low-lying
and coastal areas
• Protecting and Preserving Cultural Values and Cultural
Systems
• Protecting and Improving Design of Critical Infrastructure
• Protecting Livelihoods and enhancing adaptive capacity
• Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety
Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 2/3
Impacts
• Agriculture and Food Security: Achieve and Safeguard
Food Security
• Water Resources and Security
• Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety
• Climate Proofing Renewable Energy Sources and Supplies
Adaptation Development Goals (ADGs) grouped by components of Vuln 3/3
Adaptive Capacity
• Protecting Livelihoods and enhancing adaptive capacity
• Climate Proofing major components of national economies
and Sustainable Development [Socio-economic growth
engine]
• Supporting and Enhancing Human Health and Safety
• Protecting and Enhancing Ecosystem structure and function
for Sustainable Provision of Ecosystem Goods and Services
• Climate Proofing Renewable Energy Sources and Supplies
• Protecting and Improving Design of Critical Infrastructure
Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the
UNFCCC - Outcomes
• While most LDCs have prepared national plans (the
NAPAs), and awareness on climate change built,
process took too long, not enough resources for
implementation of priority adaptation activities, and
integration into national development plans and
programmes very limited by the small investments
• Needs? More more more … more strategic planning,
scaled up efforts to meet big challenge posed by
climate change in a programmatic manner (not small
projects)
Current efforts to address adaptation needs in LDCs under the
UNFCCC - Outcomes
• Major financial flows needed in the following
areas:
a) Address immediate urgent needs – loss and
damage and for building climate resilience
b) Support medium- to long-term strategic
planning for adaptation (climate change
process)
c) Support to climate-proof development efforts
(development process)
How enhance voice of LDCs on Climate Change?
• Need to strengthen LDC negotiating group under the UNFCCC and forge
closer links with the LDC Group in the UN
• African LDCs need more support through a regional center of
excellence/think tank, similar to service provided by SPREP and other
centers in the Pacific
• Need better coordination of climate change in different sectors,
programmes and agencies
• LDCs need significant support that is timely, predictable, and that is
driven by a national integrated CC-development plan, rather than multiple
streams of support
• Need a good assessment of the baseline, targets and benchmarks for
where LDCs need to be 10 years from now in terms of addressing
climate change