Transcript Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate
Change Adaptation at Poznan
Reid Basher, ISDR Secretariat
1. Poznan and the UNFCCC processes –
especially the Ad-hoc Working Group on
Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA).
www.unisdr.org
2. Formulating concepts, guidance and
messages for adaptation and DRR policy.
3. Key outcomes of Poznan for the ISDR
system.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change at COP-14, Poznan
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COP 14, Poznan, 1-12 December 2008

Major event - 8000 participants, 2 weeks.

Multiple layers operating in parallel.
● NGO events and advocacy.
● Exhibit booths (incl ISDR).
● Side events, e.g. ISDR; IASC; UNDP partners; UN System heads.
Usually technical focus, with format of panel + discussion.
● Bilateral meetings (among Parties and non-Parties).
● Ministerial statements.
● Press events.
● Party-mandated workshops (in plenary).
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● UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies.

● Contact groups, informals.
ISDR team - Margareta Wahlstrom, Reid Basher, Glenn
Dolcemascolo, Julio Garcia (ISDR Panama), Silvia Llosa
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UNFCCC subsidiary bodies and processes
Implementation
Scientific and
technological
aspects
Ad hoc group
SBI
SBSTA
AWG-LCA
1/CP.10
NAPAs
Nairobi work
programme
Bali Action
Plan
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Capacity-building
Note: the AWG-LCA is a formal body of all Parties
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Ad-hoc Working Group on Long-term
Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA)
Bali Action Plan (decision 1/CP.13)
 The process to achieve the “Copenhagen agreed outcome”
at COP-15 in December 2009.
 Four elements: mitigation, adaptation, technology, finance,
plus establishment of the AWG-LCA process.
 Para 1(c) on adaptation identifies: Resilience, disaster risk
reduction, risk management, risk transfer and insurance.
www.unisdr.org
 Parties requested specific technical papers and workshops.
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Risk issues at Poznan
AWG-LCA
 Workshop on risk related issues; technical report(s)
 Advance the deliberations on adaptation
SBI (Article 4.8, 5/CP.7, 1/CP.10)
 Roundtable to assess the status of the implementation of
adaptation action and identify gaps and needs
SBSTA (Nairobi Work Programme)
www.unisdr.org
 Focal point forum: Review of progress; move to SBI?
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Processes for formulating guidance on
adaptation and DRR policy

Continuing UNISDR submissions, interventions, support to
UNFCCC secretariat, Nairobi Work Programme
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UN initiatives: SG Policy Committee policy; 8 July UNGA
event hosted by GA President; 29 September 2008
Ministerial event hosted by SG; UN-CEB initiatives for
coordinated information and support.

ISDR invited to give presentation at AWG-LCA workshop
on risk issues at Poznan.
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UNISDR convened ISDR partners to prepare system-wide
submission to AWG-LCA; plus later joint IASC-ISDR
submission.
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Current recommendations
1. First priorities?
(i) National adaptation planning; sector plans including DRR.
(ii) National risk assessments, focused on the vulnerable.
(iii) Strengthened institutions, including to link climate change and
risk reduction agendas.
1. Measures?
(i) Risk-related zoning and building codes.
(ii) Protection of environmental buffers.
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(iii) Management of floods and droughts.
(iv) Protection of critical facilities e.g. hospitals.
(v) Early warning and response systems.
(vi) Public education and awareness raising.
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3. Challenges?
- Building on existing capacities and institutions, including the Hyogo
Framework for Action and the ISDR System.
- National policy integration and cross-sector cooperation.
- Integrating DRR and CCA into development.
- Capacity development for resilience especially at community and
municipality levels; ensuring funds reach local levels.
www.unisdr.org
- Solving the funding issues – size of funds; mechanisms to deal
with the “additionality” principle of climate change effects;
demonstrating economic value; balancing ex ante versus ex post
intervention; tracking, monitoring and evaluation.
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Two new initiatives at Poznan
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Cooperation between IASC and ISDR at COP-14
- Aim to raise humanitarian issues in climate change.
- IFRC, OCHA, UNISDR, UNHCR, WFP.
- Joint press conference, side event, and bilaterals with
USA, Mexico, Europeans, G77/SIDS.
- ISDR presentation to AWG-LCA was jointly done with IASC.
- Need to now develop substantive guidance via ISDR system.
www.unisdr.org
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UNISDR hosts DRR experts at Poznan
- Aim to bridge gap between DRR and CC policymaking,
and to strengthen national capacities.
- Argentina, Cook Islands, Mexico, Philippines, Sudan.
- Part of, and welcomed by, national delegations.
- Successful – we hope to repeat this at future meetings.
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Key outcomes and highlights
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No new steps on adaptation negotiations.
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But strong recognition of disaster risk reduction and Hyogo
Framework at AWG-LCA Workshop (e.g. Bangladesh,
AOSIS, China, EU, Peru, Philippines, USA)
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Some Parties call for “common framework” between DRR
and adaptation – this is critical opportunity for ISDR System.
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Funding mechanisms under intense consideration – another
critical opportunity for ISDR System alignment.
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Strong interest in insurance – UNISDR must respond to this.
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Calls for guidance for risk reduction action – methods, tools,
economic information, etc, for scaling-up national efforts
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change at COP-14, Poznan
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Lessons for the Secretariat
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Strengthen our support of national actors, to bridge the CC and
DRR gap and build capacities.
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Intensify relationship with UNFCCC secretariat and processes, to
support and guide them on risk issues.
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Strengthen the multi-partner ISDR thematic partnership on CC and
DRR, for policy directions and tool development.
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Stimulate new or stronger ISDR System thematic partnerships to
provide guidance for key sectors.
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Initiate dialogue with key Parties on the idea of a “common
framework” between DRR and adaptation.
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Stimulate dialogue and policy development to harmonise funding
mechanisms for DRR and CC adaptation.
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Concluding points
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Climate change is an accelerant of risk and DRR.
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Critical point; stage is set for significant growth of effort to
reduce vulnerability and risks.
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Core instruments are in place – UNFCCC mechanisms,
Hyogo Framework for Action.
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Substantial basis of technical guidance available.
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National and regional strategies and capacities are growing
but are often still embryonic, with DRR and CC de-linked.
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Scaling-up the effort to reduce risks and prepare for climate
change remains a central challenge.
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Funding mechanisms need substantial development.
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Urgent and important role for UNISDR and ISDR System,
including demonstrating integration of DRR and CCA .
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