Event

The training aimed at improving the capacity of national and local authorities working in different sectors in their adaptation planning for climate change. 50 participants have attended including 30 government officials from 12 Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Mongolia). 

Summary

The program was divided into four training modules followed by group exercises. The first module consisted of a refresher lecture on the basic concepts of vulnerability and adaptation and the link between the two, as well as the typologies of adaptation actions. In the group exercise, the participants were divided into four groups to review and identify the adaptation actions specified in the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) or National Communication (NC) submitted to UNFCC four Asian countries.  While the exercise initially focused on two sectors (water and agriculture), the participants also identified forest, disaster and food security as the other vulnerable sectors in the NAPAs or NCs they were assigned to.

The second module focused on policy integration and cross-sector approach to adaptation guided by the lecture that discussed how vulnerability and adaptation issues are addressed from multiple sectors’ perspective in NAPAs and NCs documents. In the group exercise, the participants assessed the compatibility of adaptation actions identified in the first group exercise and examined relationships to find the common aims, measures and outcomes as cross-sectoral adaptation action. 

The third module consisted of lectures on knowledge and science-policy nexus for cross-sector adaptation; multi-stakeholder engagement involved policy integration; and integrative administration and capacity for cross-sector adaptation. Case studies from Korea and Thailand provided concrete examples on administrative and cross-sectoral integration in  national policy development and implementation. 

In the fourth module, following the lecture on how to prioritize adaptation measures, the participants conducted SWOT analysis of their respective country’ NAPA or NC. Each country group came up with recommendations for the identified  strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

In the two-day training, the trainees were able to acquire knowledge on concepts of climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and risk assessment, climate change adaptation and mitigation;  different dimensions and approaches of climate change adaptation at regional and national levels; and on mainstreaming and integrating adaptation into national planning processes for the different sectors, through several lectures and case studies. Analysis of NAPAs and NCs as part of the group and country exercise facilitated cross learning amongst the participants.  Participants expressed concern regarding obstacles for inter-sectoral integration for climate adaptation and possible solutions in overcoming the challenge and apply what they learned from the training in the context of their respective countries. Most of participants suggested inclusion of a field trip in the training program. They also proposed topics for future training included training on solid waste management related to climate change, how to develop a climate change action plan for local governments, improving public awareness about reduction of climate change impacts and strengthening the institutional capacity building. All the participants were given training certificates by the organizers upon completion of the training program. 

Related Files
›› Proceedings Report
 

   – Presentations

›› Holistic approach in mainstreaming climate change adaptation into policy planning – A perspective from Thailand: Suppakorn Chinvanno, Southeast Asia START Regional Center
›› How to prioritize climate change adaptation measures? : Yeora Chae, KEI
›› Important pillars of effective cross-sector approach in developing national adaptation strategy: Mozaharul Aram, UNEP
›› Knowledge and science-policy nexus for cross-sector adaptation: Ajaya Dixit, ISET-Nepal 
›› Local adaptation olanning procedure and consulting programs: Ji Young Shin, KEI
›› Multi-stakeholder engagement in policy integration: Daisuke Sano, IGES Regional Centre
›› Policy integration and cross-sector approach to climate change adaptation strategy: Dr.Sajor, AIT