1 “Adaptation to the consequences of Climate Change: Progress achieved and capacity building needed” Budapest, November 19-20, 2007 Strategic Environmental Assessment for Mainstreaming Adaptation into National Development Frameworks Henrieta Martonakova

2 2 Overview 1.Strategy on Adaptation for Europe and CIS 2.Introduction to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 3.Applying SEA for mainstreaming adaptation into national development frameworks

3 3 UNDP approach in Europe and CIS Overall objective: To facilitate policy change and capacity development to achieve MDGs in countries with economies in transition in the face of Climate Change Strategic elements of UNDP approach;  Capitalizing on NC processes  Focus on most vulnerable countries/geographic areas and sectors  Comparative advantage of UNDP: (i) current work of creating an enabling environment for human development; (ii) disaster risk management (iii) policy support for mainstreaming adaptation into the development planning

4 4 UNDP approach in Europe and CIS Priority geographic and thematic areas:  Water resource management, disaster risk management and agricultural productivity in the three most vulnerable sub-regions: low and low-middle countries of Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia  Coastal zone management in the low lying areas of Adriatic, Black and Caspian seas

5 5 UNDP approach in Europe and CIS Major elements of adaptation strategy in the region:  Development of projects  Mainstreaming  Partnership building  Learning (Adaptation Learning Mechanisms)  Human Resource Development

6 6 Contact person Keti Chachibaia GEF Regional Technical Advisor for Capacity Development and Adaptation

7 SEA for mainstreaming Adaptation National Development Frameworks

8 8 SEA = R ange of analytical and participatory approaches to integrate environmental considerations into policy, plans and programmes and evaluate the inter linkages with economic and social considerations (OECD, 2006) not a single, fixed and prescriptive approach largely principle-based continuous, iterative and adaptive applied throughout the entire decision-making process focused on strengthening institution and governance adapted and tailor made

9 9 SEA is not An approach for mainly developing environmental strategies, programmes and action plans, but rather for developing area based and sectoral plans, which take account of the objectives formulated in environmental strategies, programmes, etc. A responsibility of the environmental ministries and authorities but rather of sectoral ministries and authorities responsible for area strategic development (regional government, municipality, etc.)

10 SEA: Up-streaming environmental considerations into the decision-making hierarchy Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment Policy Plan Programme Projects Source: OECD Applying Strategic Environmental Assessment: Good practice Guidance for Development Co-operation.

11 Leveraging SEA for adapting to climate change Climate change considerations must become a part of policymaking and planning across the board, including UNDP Existing assessments often overlook: 1. Future climate change risks 2. PPP effects on climate change vulnerability 3. PPP opportunities to reduce stakeholder vulnerability An integrative assessment approach (such as SEA) can incorporate climate change considerations and support adaptation (reduce vulnerability)

12 What UNDP is doing to support adaptation Integrating climate change into all operations (“climate-proofing”) 1. Building capacity Regional training Web-based training, web resources, etc. 2. Developing resources for “climate-proofing” Guidance for UN and UNDP development frameworks SEA-based guidance for national & sectoral policymaking Identifying key risks: country-specific and thematic Knowledge sharing (Adaptation Learning Mechanism (ALM)) 3. Delivering impact Policy advice and core programmes Projects supported through GEF MDG-fund projects

13 UNDP SEA approach to Adaptation  Draws upon guidance in the Adaptation Policy Frameworks for Climate Change (APF) and in the OECD DAC Guidance on SEA  Objective: support national development priorities through improved policies, plans and/or programmes.  support climate change adaptation mainstreaming  leverage SEA frameworks in place  Outcomes:  Improved consideration of climate change-related/environmental risks in policies, plans and programmes  Improved consideration of the specific effects of policies on the climate vulnerability of relevant populations/stakeholders  Awareness of climate change and its impacts raised among policymakers and the public (critical for effective mainstreaming).

14 Outline of the approach  Stage 1: Establish the context define the objectives and outcomes, the scale and scope of the assessment and the stakeholders to involve  Stage 2: Implement the approach identify ways of reducing impacts and optimizing opportunities of climate change on the policy, plan, programme for environmental sustainability and other development outcomes  Stage 3: Inform and influence decision-making to ensure that the policy, plan and programme integrates main conclusion and inputs highlighted by the approach  Stage 4: Monitor and evaluate to ensure effectiveness of policy, plan and programme measures for environment and development

15 SEA approach for adaptation mainstreaming - examples of adaptation-related questions for each SEA stage Stage 1: Establish the context for the approach What development objective(s) or outcome(s) are sought? Are the objectives in line with national environmental objectives and sustainable development policies? What kind of information is available on environmental challenges, climate change vulnerability and projected impacts, and what does the information suggest? On which time horizon are climate change risks expected? Who are the stakeholders and how should they be engaged in the SEA approach to Adaptation? Is there a need for institutional strengthening and capacity building on the SEA approach to Adaptation?

16 SEA approach for adaptation mainstreaming - examples of adaptation-related questions for each SEA stage Stage 2: Implement the approach What are the relevant criteria and indicators for the assessment? What methods should be used to assess future vulnerability and adaptation needs, characterize future climate-related risks, etc.? What impacts will climate change likely have on the effectiveness of the policy, plan and programme, and the target population? What impacts will the policy, plan or programme have on environmental sustainability and development outcomes? What responses (options) would reduce climate risks impacts and improve development outcomes? What are the barriers, costs, and impacts of those options? Are the views of stakeholders being included in the process?

17 SEA approach for adaptation mainstreaming - examples of adaptation-related questions for each SEA stage Stage 3: Inform and influence decision-making What are the main conclusions on adaptive measures? Are there adequate mechanisms for these to be reflected in the policy and decision-making process? Are financial resources sufficient to implement the activities identified as needed to ensure sustainability and other development outcomes? Stage 4: Monitor and evaluate What is the strategy for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating impacts? What indicators will be used for monitoring? How will they be tracked?

18 Resources Adaptation Policy Frameworks for Climate Change (guidance) (english) (english) (english, spanish, french UNDP SEA-related information and