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Input by South AfricaFive-year work programme on

impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change

SBSTA-22

21 May 2005, Bonn

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Introduction• South Africa welcomes the decision to develop a

programme of work on the impacts of, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, and to hold an in-session workshop at SBSTA-22

• Adaptation is a top priority for all countries and particularly developing countries

• SA itself is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change

• SBSTA work programme should have a clear focus on adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change

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SA vulnerability and adaptation

• SA country study on V&A

– key findings in Initial National Communication

• Key sectors vulnerable to climate change impacts:

– Water, health, agriculture, biodiversity & forestry

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Major Impacts• Water – SA water-stressed under current climate,

CC induces significant reduction in water resources, especially for marginalised communities

• Health – increase in potential malaria-prone region in northern SA, threat to poorly-resourced

• Agriculture – marginal maize production threatened, subsistence-based communities lack resilience

• Biodiversity – SA home to several biodiversity hotspots, CC projected to induce extinctions of endemics, impoverishment of biomes and those dependent on biodiversity

• It is clear that the poor are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change

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Identified S&T Needs• Integrate and co-ordinate research programmes

on vulnerability assessment, predictive modeling, monitoring and information dissemination.

• Transfer and development of scientifically rigorous and appropriate adaptation technologies, measures and actions.

• Give priority to funding the implementation of adaptation measures, which are focused on alleviating the burden borne by the poor

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Objective• The objective of the SBSTA programme of

work should be:– To provide the scientific and technological basis

for the development of efficient and effective adaptation implementation policies and measures, which are responsive to local, national and regional priorities and needs.

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Scope• Major themes:

– Methodologies, data and modelling, including vulnerability assessments;

– Adaptation planning (e.g. integration into sustainable development plans);

– Development, collation and refinement of adaptation technologies, measures and actions;

– Best practice delivery mechanisms (e.g. tech transfer mechanism);

– Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation measures and actions.

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Outcomes (1)1. Comprehensive stocktaking and gap analysis.2. Improved predictive tools (including

downscaling) accessible to all Parties. 3. Methodologies for rapid vulnerability

assessments.4. Early warning/monitoring systems5. Effective adaptation technology and best

practice clearing house6. User-friendly adaptation planning tools

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Outcomes (2)7. Recommendations for effective adaptation

projects and programmes (poverty alleviation focus)

8. Recommendations for effective delivery mechanisms (tech transfer, funding, capacity building, institutional arrangements etc.).

9. Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of adaptation initiatives.

10. Cost-benefit analysis of adaptation measures.11. Adaptation skills transferred to sectoral

scientists.

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Work Programme Structure • 2 working groups:

– Adaptation science and planning

– Adaptation measures and actions

• Annual inter-sessional workshops • Reporting of working groups to each SBSTA session

for the further development of this work programme.• Recommendations for further decisions under the

SBSTA and SBI within their respective mandates.• Link to existing scientific adaptation initiatives, e.g.

ESSP, EOSS, IPCC.

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Initial specific activities

• Finalise decision on work programme terms of reference, modalities and structure for approval by COP 11.

• Set up expert working groups

• Conduct gap analysis

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Thank you