Linking Science & Policy 1: Supporting Decision Making and National Communications with Assessments Chairs: Anand Patwardhan and Ian Burton Reporter: Yongyuan Yin Discussion Foci: The effectiveness of climate change assessments for supporting decisions that reduce climate risks The contributions to National Communications The design of assessments to serve decision needs The role of stakeholders in assessments Output: Recommendations for improved assessments that better serve decision-making needs and National Communications

Three Types of Decision Making Needs Operational decision Planning decision Policy decision

Highlights of Discussion: AIACC outputs: What they are How to be packaged How to be communicated General discussion of engaging private sector for adaptation Insurance as an option Put adaptation into risk management discussion Institutional arrangements for adaptation National policy framework for adaptation Agenda 21: linking adaptation to local sustainable development Integrate adaptation evaluation into regional planning Adaptation mechanisms within the government: What are the right entry points? e.g. DNA for CDM

Some Recommendations  Find ways to continue adaptation research based on AIACC established network  Create centers of excellence in adaptation research  Retain successful elements of AIACC program  Open and competitive processes  Training and capacity building  Multi-institutional and multi-stakeholder participation  Relevance to IPCC and other global assessments  Reinvent AIACC along the following lines:  More explicit focus on action for adaptation  Improve adaptation evaluation methodologies  Involve decision makers from the outset to make the projects needs driven  Recognize and promote adaptation as an on-going process and not simply as discrete projects