Publication

Climate change is increasingly altering the pattern of climate-related risks. Developing countries, and in particular least developed countries, will be among the most severely impacted by climate change. The challenge for planners and policy-makers today is that it is impossible to predict with certainty the future conditions to which we would need to adapt. 

This paper sets out principles that aim to reduce the impact of uncertainty in decision-making. It draws out some interconnected messages for decision makers,including: (1) it is crucial to integrate adaptation planning within the existing priorities;and (2) adaptation strengthens the case for pushing development priorities “faster and harder”. The paper argues that adaptation and development are not opposing priorities that must be weighed against each other.