Community-based Adaptation in the coastal zone - A view and case study from the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) By Than Thi Hien Research and Development Manager - MCD These initiatives are co-financed by European Union, Oxfam Novib and McKnight Foundation

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Climate Change at MCD – mitigation Mitigation: Conservation efforts: Healthy mangrove forests, coral reefs, sea grass fields - carbon sinks Community development efforts: Sustainable fisheries practices & livelihood alternatives – reduction of GHG emission

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Climate Change at MCD – adaptation Conservation efforts: to increase the resistance and resilience of coastal ecosystems  maintain fisheries resources & good environment for alternative livelihoods  protect coastline from sea level rise and storm surges  moderate climate conditions Community development efforts: to empower communities to reduce their vulnerability to environmental, social and economic changes  Sustainable aquaculture demonstration  Non-destructive fishing promotion  Alternative livelihood development (ecotourism)  Sustainable financial resources (microfinance and microbusiness)  Capacity building, gender mainstreaming, advocacy Adaptation:

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Climate Change Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Coastal community Case study in Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Objectives & Methods OBJECTIVES To assess key impacts of CC to the coastal communities and their adaptive capacity To identify the opportunities and challenges of CC in the coastal communities To provide recommendations for the CC resilience of the coastal community METHODS Qualitative research VA framework and Adaptive Capacity Assessment Literature Review (desk study) PRA (Focus Group Discussion, Key informant interview, observation) Policy Review

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Xuan Thuy Ramsar – Red River Delta High biodiversity, 15,000 ha (part of Biosphere Reserve) Mangroves (2000 ha), 220 migratory birds (Black-faced Spoonbill - Platalea minor, Spoon- billed Sandpiper (Eurynorynchus pygmeus) Aquatic species: Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), crab (Scylla serrata), molluscs (Meretrix meretrix) Map of Xuan Thuy National Park (XTNP, 2007)

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Socio-economic conditions in Xuan Thuy buffer zone communes Giao ThienGiao AnGiao LacGiao Xuan Giao Hai Area (hectare) Population (person) Population density (people/km2) Total No. of primary, secondary and high schools pupils Rocky and bitumen roads Socio-economic profile of Xuan Thuy National Park (MCD, 2007) Occupation distribution

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Climate change impacts in Xuan Thuy, Nam Dinh (1) Physical and biological impacts: High risks of hazards (erosion, tropical storms) Increased salinity intrusion High sensitivity: Mangroves and biodiversity (fisheries resources)

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Hazards Matrix in Giao Xuan aquaculture HazardsEffect/impactsWarning Signs Fore- Warnin g Speed Onset Frequen cy Duration Lack rainfall increased salinity and clam death Radio, TVRadioSlow2 times/yea r days/time StormsDestroy watchtower and dyke Radio, TVLocal Radio Very quick 1 times/yea r 2 days FloodsDestroy the farmLocal Radio Quick1 times/yea r 3 days High temperatur e Clam low growth and death Radio, TVRadioSlow1 times/yea r 30 days` PRA meeting, Giao Xuan Commune (MCD, 2010)

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Climate change impacts in Xuan Thuy (2) Socio-economic impacts: Aquaculture - lower productivity Fisheries and aquaculture seasonality Social conflicts Migrations to city workers Gender issues, women and children are more likely vulnerable

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Natural resources: Seedlings (wild clam is overfished) zooplanktons, Mudflat (1ha min) Mangroves Waters of Red River Financial resources: Access to the banks and credit institutions Limited funding from the local government Capital mobilization (household, collaborators, shareholders) CC adaptive capacity of local community in Giao Xuan clam aquaculture Social resources: Collaborative group for aquaculture Community fisheries regulations Disaster warning information (radio, mobile phone) Human resources Local knowledge on seasonality, temperature, salinity Trained technical aquaculture skills Community participation in mangroves replantation and protection Physical resources: Infrastructure and materials (height of net and farm) Monitoring tools for salinity degree (few) Dyke upgrading and improvements Social Resources Nature Resources Physical Resources Financial Resources Human Resources

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Institutional policies on the CC adaptation and mitigation National Target Program (NTP) and action plan on CC response National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation Action Plan Framework for Adaptation to CC in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Biodiversity law and action plan Xuan Thuy National Park Management Plan Local disaster mitigation program: Dyke improvement and upgrading (inner mangroves area: 2.5m to 3.5m and outer mangrove area: 4-4.5m to 5m)

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Opportunities and challenges: CC resilience in the coastal communities Opportunities Local knowledge was useful for the CC adaptation and mitigation. Involvement of coastal communities in the collective actions (e.g. core group, regulations etc) Behavior change in CC adaptation, environmental impacts and livelihoods. Challenges Limited local awareness on CC High dependence on aquaculture and lack of alternatives Poor adaptation and mitigation planning Insufficient institutions for the community livelihood resilience

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Recommendations and implications (1) Adaptive measures: clam aquaculture (ponds), density ( /m2). Increase adaptive capacity: human (technical), natural resources in addition to financial resources Diversify livelihoods for income generation (e.g. ecotourism) and other environmental friendly livelihoods

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Recommendations and implications (2) Protect and Reforest protective forests (mangroves) Improve coastal resources governance (Co-management, land-use planning) Integration of CC issues into the local socio-development planning (incl fisheries and other sectors).

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) Thank-you “Think globally act locally”