PROVIA is a new UN initiative to coordinate research on climate vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation (VIA). It aims to (1) prioritize and guide VIA research, (2) communicate scientific findings to policymakers, and (3) build research capacity. PROVIA is organized by a Scientific Steering Committee and supported by UNEP, UNESCO, and WMO. Its initial work plan includes developing an international VIA research agenda, providing scientific information to the UNFCCC, and convening biennial conferences to improve coherence of VIA research.

1. UNFCCC SBSTA 34 Workshop on Research, Bonn, Germany, 2–3 June 2011
Professor Richard J.T. Klein
Stockholm Environment Institute and
Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Linköping University
richard.klein@sei-international.org

2. PROVIA responds to the need for:
• A single research programme, focused on vulnerability,
impacts and adaptation to climate change (a counterpart to
WCRP)
• Research capacity to deliver high-quality information to
policymakers with due urgency
• Prioritisation of research, to be communicated to
governments and international agencies (thus also helping to
fund the research)
richard.klein@sei-international.org

3. Objectives of PROVIA
• Help to coordinate research on climate vulnerability, impacts
and adaptation
• Help to guide investment in research
• Communicate scientific information on VIA to governments
and international agencies
• Build scientific research capacity, especially in developing
countries
richard.klein@sei-international.org

4. Structure and governance of PROVIA
• A UN initiative, organised by the scientific community
• Scientific steering committee (SSC) composed of scientists,
chaired by Martin Parry
• A partnership of UNEP, UNESCO and WMO
• Secretariat in UNEP
• First interim SSC meeting in November 2010; first full SSC
meeting on 20–22 June 2011
• First activities started in January 2011
richard.klein@sei-international.org

5. Sponsoring organisations
Partnership of UNEP, UNESCO, WMO
Managing agent: UNEP
richard.klein@sei-international.org

6. PROVIA initial work plan
• Develop a prioritised international agenda for research on
VIA to be communicated to governments and international
agencies
• Provide scientific information on VIA to the UNFCCC and
similar bodies, especially information that will enable more
effective adaptation
• A biennial conference to improve the coherence of VIA
research (and other scientific activities)
• Improve the robustness of VIA assessments by revising
guidance on research methods
richard.klein@sei-international.org

7. Activity 1 first step: research gap analysis
• Aim: to explore key VIA research gaps that, if closed, will yield
substantial improvements in decision-making (science-for-policy
perspective)
• Sources include:
– Peer-reviewed articles, books and reports
– White papers
– Workshop, conference and meeting proceedings (including UNFCCC)
• Draft report produced by Cynthia Rosenzweig and colleagues,
to serve as input into foresight panel in June, followed by
extensive review
richard.klein@sei-international.org

8. Research gap analysis
• Preliminary gap categories:
– Climate resilience: Inter-relationships between adaptation, mitigation
and sustainable development
– Decision-making and climate risk management
– Communication and perceptions
– Socio-economic and cross-sectoral scenarios
– Methodological approaches
– Sectoral and regional issues
richard.klein@sei-international.org

9. Summing up
• PROVIA aims
– to provide international coordination of research on vulnerability,
impacts adaptation to climate change
– to prioritise research and help mobilising research funds
– to communicate new knowledge to governments and agencies
– to build research capacity
• PROVIA is organised by the scientific community, with a
secretariat funded and based in a UN organisation
• For more information: www.provia-climatechange.org
richard.klein@sei-international.org