Climate risk screening & assessment tools Anne Hammill (IISD) Tom Tanner (IDS) Climate Change Adaptation -- Linking Policies and Practice (22-23 November 2010, Copenhagen)
Outline Context: Why? Terminology Tools typology Example of tools Findings of tool review, user analysis Problem framing Tool users How climate information is handled Reported benefits Limitations Observations
Context Why are tools being developed? Recognition of climate risks to poverty reduction Walk the talk Demand from field, top-down policy commitments, due diligence Proliferation of climate change adaptation tools End up working at cross-purposes, confusion Why a review? Offer some structure Categories, decision tree, quality standards Capture early lessons: User experiences
Tools for what? What is climate change? What is climate change adaptation? How is it linked or relevant to development? What is the development, poverty profile? How will this change over next 10-50 years? What climate hazards currently affect the area? Have there been any observed changes in last 100 yrs? What changes in climate are projected with in global temp? What risks are associated w these changes? What measures can be taken to minimize neg impacts? What measures can be taken to maximize opportunities? Which measures are most effective, feasible, appropriate? Is the measure reducing vulnerability? What (other) benefits are being generated?
Terminology Risk : No single definition. Confusion starts here. H x V. Climate risk management : systematic approach and practice of using climate information in development decision-making to minimize potential harm or losses associated with climate variability and change (adapted from UNISDR and IRI) Screening and assessment Tools : documents, computer programs, websites that help undertake part of a screening / assessment process
Suggested tools typology Type 1: Data and Information Provision Offer, generate, or simply present data and information on: Primary climate variables (historic, observed, projected) Secondary climate impacts (e.g. flood maps, crop yields) Type 2: Process Guidance Current and future vulnerability (e.g. poverty maps) Guide users through the identification, gathering, and analysis of data & information for climate risk management decision-making Type 3: Knowledge sharing Platforms and networks that offer adaptation practitioners a virtual space for sharing information and experiences related to climate risk management / adaptation
Process guidance tools: Screening and assessment Tool type CRM Element Description Screening Pre-screening A systematic examination of a development activity More to select assessment? Risk screening or eliminate it from further consideration, or to make a diagnosis Assessment Risk assessment A methodology to determine the nature and extent of risks and opportunities i.e. examine hazards, vulnerabilities Risk analysis Options evaluation What is the problem? What are our A process that considers management options to minimise negative impacts and take advantage of opportunities in light of identified current options? and future risks What shall we do? Evaluating both the adequacy of current risk management strategies and potential new ones
Adaptation decisionmaking (OECD) CRM Element Project cycle
Agency Tool(s) S A Notes ADB Draft Risk Screening Tool 20-30 mins DANIDA Climate Change Screening Note Climate Change Screening Studies DFID ORCHID / CRISP Integrated env t, climate & disasters screening Strategic Programme Review (SPR) One of first Action plans No longer used Pending Tool Process DGIS Climate Quick Scans Done EC Guidelines on the Integration of Env t & CC in Development Cooperation GTZ Environmental & Climate Assessment Tool Climate Proofing for Development Mandatory inhouse For partners OECD Guidance on Integrating CCA into Devt Entry points UNDP Adaptation Policy Framework UNEP Sourcebook on integration CCA USAID Climate Change Adaptation Guidance Manual World Bank ADAPT Mainstreaming Adaptation to CC in Agriculture and NRM Projects Policy incentives Rolled into portal
Agency Tool S A CARE CVCA Toolkit for integration adaptation into projects Toolkit for Community- Based Adaptation (CBA) Document Online, interactive Online, interactive Christian Aid Adaptation Toolkit Document IISD, IUCN, IC, SEI CRiSTAL Computer-based Red Cross Climate Guide Document Tearfund CEDRA Document UKCIP Adaptation Wizard Web-based WWF Climate Witness
Problem framing Relevance to organisational priorities Link to project / program cycle Embed in existing risk management procedures (e.g. EIA) Direction of impact: Climate development Development adaptive capacity Point of departure: Adapting development projects Developing adaptation projects
Tool user typology incentives Voluntary Trained and ready Applying as part of project Applying as part of job description Mandatory No formal training, aware of tool through own professional networks, Internet, reference documents. Use tool on adhoc, as-needed basis. Received training, ready and willing to apply tool as needed. May do it without prompting or support. May seek out funding opportunities. Usually trained, required to use tool as part of project i.e. tool elaboration and application are discrete project activities with associated budget lines. Usually trained, staff or consultants, hired to apply tool in designing and managing development strategies. Hired to use the tool(s). Trained, tools applied as part of mandatory agency policy.
How climate information is handled 1. Outsource the climate analysis Consultants 2. Use pre-fabricated or packaged climate information Ready-made summaries Tables, matrices 3. Try to do analysis yourself Seek, extract, interpret Heavier reliance on community observations and experiences
Reported Benefits of tool use 1. Design climate resilient development strategies GTZ Vietnam (Climate Proofing for Development) IUCN Zambia (CRiSTAL) 2. Awareness-raising 3. Capacity-building 4. Demonstrated action on climate change ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
Reported limitations Climate information but not as much as we d think More informed climate information consumers How to address multiple stressors Moving from assessment to implementation to M&E Not just a question of money
Observations Training and facilitation essential Embedding in organisational priorities and procedures Need to be realistic about user knowledge and incentives Gap between information provision and process tools /users Gap between assessment and action Ownership, participation Harmonization of screening or assessment tools Terminology Common constituent parts skeleton steps Roadmap / decision tree Quality assurance Climate Change Adaptation -- Linking Policies and Practice (22-23 November