Parallel Session 1. Session 1: Theme A: Conducting Vulnerability, Impact and Adaptation Assessments

1. Climate Change Vulnerability, Impact and Adaptation
Analysis Methodological Framework:
Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
Andrea Sabelli
UNEP
Adaptation Futures Conference
Fortaleza, Brazil May 12th
2014

2. Context: REGATTAContext: REGATTA
Adaptation
Objectives:
1. Strengthen climate resilience of human and ecological
systems in the LAC region
2. Strengthen the capacity of local institutions
3. Facilitate mainstreaming adaptation into policy and
planning
Financed by:
Implemented
by:
United Nations Environmental Programme Regional Office for
Latin American and the Caribbean
(2011-2015)
Regional Gateway for Technology Transfer and
Climate Change Action
Strengthen the exchange of knowledge on climate change mitigation and adaptation

3. Based on the 1st
Round Table meeting (May 2011)
31 country representatives, 10 NGOs, 4 Agencies
 Lack of local scientifically-based
information on climate change impact and
vulnerability
 Identify relevant and feasible adaptation
strategies
 Sectors of priority: agriculture and water
REGATTA: Why Conduct a VIA?REGATTA: Why Conduct a VIA?

4. REGATTA VIA Methodological FrameworkREGATTA VIA Methodological Framework

5. Sub-Region Start/End Dates Knowledge-Sharing Centre
Gran Chaco: Argentina,
Bolivia & Paraguay
April 01, 2012-
April 01, 2014
Andes: Colombia , Peru &
Ecuador
June 01, 2012- April 01,
2014
Watersheds in Central
America
April 2013-August 2014
Caribbean: Antigua &
Barbuda, Dominica & Haiti
October 2013-
Decemeber 2014
Moving from Theory to PracticeMoving from Theory to Practice

6. Challenge: ParticipationChallenge: Participation
Giradot, Colombia August, 2013 Buenos Aires, Argentina Sep. 2013

7. 1 National Government
32 Departments
1101 Municipalities
1 National Government
7 Regions
24 Provinces
226 cantons
1500 Parishes
1 National Government
24 Departments
195 Provinces
1834 Districts
Challenge: Scale and Format of DataChallenge: Scale and Format of Data

8. Challenge: Lack of Methods and Data forChallenge: Lack of Methods and Data for
Assessing Ecosystem ServicesAssessing Ecosystem Services
Andes Approach
Biodiversity
and ecosystem
services
Threats from Climate
Change
Impact
Habitat and
provision of food
services
Loss and migration of
species
Medium
Water resources,
regulation of
flows and floods
Reduced water
availability, drought,
flooding, expansion of
the agriculture frontier,
changes in precipitation
patterns and prolonged
rains
High
Chaco Approach

9. Municipalities most Exposed to Climate
Change and Adaptive Capacity
Indicators in Ecuador
Climate Change Vulnerability in the
Gran Chaco Americano (2031-2040
Challenge: Integration of the ResultsChallenge: Integration of the Results

10. Using the ResultsUsing the Results
• Policy Briefs prepared and presented to each country
• Webinars, social media, conferences and meetings
• National Adaptation Plan for the Agriculture Sector (Colombia)
• Project proposals (Paraguay)
• Preparation of the UNFCCC National Communications Report
(Argentina and Paraguay)
Breakfast Meeting, Lima Peru 2014
REGATTA Community of Practice

11. Remaining ChallengesRemaining Challenges
• Even when stakeholders participate questions remain
as to whether and how adaptation recommendations
are mainstreamed into policy and practice
• Urgent need for adaptation
• Trade-offs between the amount of time and budget
spent on VIA and Adaptation Action

12. Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
•There is no “recipe” for VIA
•Methodology depends on data, resources and time
•Having a common methodological framework is valuable as a
tool to maneuver through the various components of a VIA
•Establish an inter-disciplinary team and ensure strong
communication and coordination
•Process should be iterative and flexible to incorporate new
tools and approaches
•Ensure adequate resources for communication and
distribution of the study results using various channels