1. Adaptation under the UNFCCC Olga Pilifosova UNFCCC Secretariat

2. 2 The ultimate objective of this Convention …is to achieve … stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.The ultimate objective of this Convention …is to achieve … stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. –Article 2 Convention objective

3. 3 All Parties shall “Cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change; develop and elaborate appropriate and integrated plans for coastal zone management, water resources and agriculture, and for the protection and rehabilitation of areas, particularly in Africa, affected by drought and desertification, as well as floods.”All Parties shall “Cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change; develop and elaborate appropriate and integrated plans for coastal zone management, water resources and agriculture, and for the protection and rehabilitation of areas, particularly in Africa, affected by drought and desertification, as well as floods.” –Article 4.1 (e) Cooperative adaptation

4. 4 The developed country Parties … shall also assist the developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting costs of adaptation to those adverse effects.”The developed country Parties … shall also assist the developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting costs of adaptation to those adverse effects.” –Article 4.4 Assistance

5. 5 small islands and low-lying coastal areassmall islands and low-lying coastal areas arid and semi-arid areas, forested areas and areas liable to forest decayarid and semi-arid areas, forested areas and areas liable to forest decay areas prone to natural disastersareas prone to natural disasters areas liable to drought and desertificationareas liable to drought and desertification areas of high urban atmospheric pollutionareas of high urban atmospheric pollution areas with fragile ecosystems, including mountainous ecosystemsareas with fragile ecosystems, including mountainous ecosystems land-locked and transit countriesland-locked and transit countries –Article 4.8 The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology.The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology. –Article 4.9 Specific needs and concerns

6. 6 SBSTA and SBI consider different aspects of adaptation in their work on more than 9 areas, including : – –Article 4.8 (5/CP.7), – –LDC NAPAs, – –National Communications, – –Technology transfer, – –Methods and tools, – –Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects, – –Capacity building, etc. Adaptation work under UNFCCC

7. 7 2001:2001: –IPCC TAR –COP 7 Marrakech accords: 3 new funds3 new funds Decision 5/CP7 identifies 18 areas of assistance on adaptation,including for GEF funding Process of development NAPAs in LDCs 2002: Delhi Ministerial Declaration2002: Delhi Ministerial Declaration 2003:2003: SBSTA work on scientific, technical and socio- economic aspects on adaptation (since 2003) 2004: Decision 1/CP.10 Buenos Aires Programme of Work on Adaptation and Response Measures2004: Decision 1/CP.10 Buenos Aires Programme of Work on Adaptation and Response Measures 2005: SBSTA five-year programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change - to be adopted[?]2005: SBSTA five-year programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change - to be adopted[?] Adaptation: evolving focus

8. 8 Evolving focus: Common concern Adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change is of high priority for all countries. Developing countries are particularly vulnerable, especially the least developed countries and small island developing States. Adaptation requires urgent attention and action on the part of all countries.Adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change is of high priority for all countries. Developing countries are particularly vulnerable, especially the least developed countries and small island developing States. Adaptation requires urgent attention and action on the part of all countries. –Delhi Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Development 2002

9. 9 I. Adverse effects of climate change: – –Decides to further implementation of actions on data and modelling, v&a assessment and implementation – –Requests GEF to report on support of the above – –Requests the secretariat to organise before end 2007 4 regional workshops to facilitate information exchange and integrated assessments reflecting regional priorities – –Encourages IPCC to to incorporate region-specific modelling information into its 4AR, and to engage developing country researchers in the assessment process – –Requests Annex II Parties to provide detailed information on support programmes and encourages non-Annex I Parties to report their specific needs and concerns in NC building capacity for preventive measures and management disasters relating to climate change (esp. droughts and floods) work on insurance and risk assessments, etc. COP10 Buenos Aires programme of work on adaptation and response measures

10. 10 IV. SBSTA programme of work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change: (PWA) Requests the SBSTA to develop a structured five-year programme of work Address: methodologies, data and modelling; vulnerability assessments; adaptation planning, measures and actions; and integration into sustainable development In accordance with the terms of reference of the SBSTA (provide scientific and technical advice) Negotiations started in May 2005. [Will be adopted at COP11] Buenos Aires programme of work on adaptation and response measures. COP10 Buenos Aires programme of work on adaptation and response measures.

11. 11 ADAPTATION UNDER THE UNFCCC: MOVING FROM RHETORIC TO ACTION?