Publication

Executive Summary

Delegates of the national and local governments from Southeast Asia and South Asia participated in the two-day training workshop on climate change mitigation and adaptation hosted by the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. The training workshop was divided into four sessions. For the first training day, the first two sessions include an introduction to climate change adaptation and mitigation, and a discussion on the approaches on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The first session covered the technical and policy perspectives on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Mr. Mozaharul Alam, Regional Climate Change Coordinator of UNEP ROAP, led the session. This was followed by Mr. Steve Gawler's discussion on framing climate change mitigation and adaptation in Asia. Mr. Gawler is the director of the international programs of ICLEI Oceania. After the session on framing, Graciano P. Yumul, Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology, shared his insights on climate change impacts on urban systems in Asia. A breakout session was held before proceeding with the last part of the first session. The breakout session sought the participants to assess the climate change impacts and measures in their respective countries. Finally, Mr. Mariño Deocariza discussed the integration of climate change in development planning.

The second session focused on the approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The session began with Mr. Gawler's presentation on vulnerability and risk assessment tools. A breakout session on the same topic immediately followed. After the breakout session, the next presentation touched on Harmonized Emission Analysis Tool or HEAT+. Mr. Raji Ranjan Guru gave the presentation. He is the manager for the energy and climate department of the South Asia Secretariat of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. The last part of the second session covered the topic of integrated climate impact assessment analysis tool for policy makers and planners. Mr. Jitendra Jitu Shah, adviser of the Regional and Sustainable Development department of the Asian Development Bank, gave his presentation on the topic.

The second day of the training workshop highlighted four of the cases of best practices in the Philippines. The session began with Mr. Vladimir Mata's presentation on Dagupan City's community-based disaster risk reduction management. Mr. Mata is the city administrator of Dagupan City. Mayor Ronaldo Golez of Dumangas, Iloilo gave the next presentation which was about the Climate Field School of Dumangas. The province of Albay's adaptation planning was the highlight of the succeeding presentation given by Governor Jose Clemente Salceda of Albay. The fourth and last case of best practice in the Philippines focused on the adaptation planning of the city of Sorsogon. General Ireneo Manaois, the city administrator of Sorsogon City, delivered the presentation.

For the final session, financing options for climate change was the main topic. The first part of the session was a presentation on the access to international climate finance. Ms. Adeline Dontenville, the Project Officer of AFD – French Development Agency, delivered the presentation for the topic. Mr. Michael Lindfield from ADB and who is the program manager of the Cities Development Initiatives for Asia led the succeeding discussion on regional financing arrangements in Asia. Governor Salceda also presented on how local governments should mobilize finance. After the end of the last session, the final breakout session focused on the topic of dialogue between national and local governments in addressing climate change.

Questions and clarificatory statements were solicited from among the participants in the training workshop. The presenters for the four main sessions succinctly responded to the questions and statements and offered new insights on how to possibly resolve some of the problems that typically beset local institutions.

Visit the workshop’s page for proceedings and presentation files.