ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN SUDAN

SHARGAA HALL 17/01/2010

Dr. Sumaya Ahmed Zakieldeen

Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Studies

zakields@yahoo.com

SOME FACTS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

Based on IPCC fourth assessment Report concluded that climate change is occurring now

Past emissions are estimated to involve some unavoidable warming even if atmospheric GHG concentrations remain at 2000 levels.

There are some impacts for which adaptation is the only available and appropriate response

CON..

There are barriers, limits and costs for adaptation, but these are not fully understood .

Adaptation cost is time dependent; acting now is more cost-effective and can minimize greater losses (social and economic) in future climate change

VULNERABILITY OF LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDCS)

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATE EVENTS IN SUDAN - TYPES, FREQUENCY, SECTORS

AFFECTED, AND IMPACT CATEGORIES

NAPA 2007

Number of projects enabled Sudan to work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation :

National communication/s (HCENR) National Adaptation Programme of Action

(NAPA) (HCENR) Assessment of impacts and adaptation to

climate change (AIACC) (HCENR) Community-based Adaptation in Africa (CBAA)

(SECS) Others

IMPACTS, VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION

CON..

The different projects used different approaches for analysis and assessment

Top-down/bottom-up Synthesis of available

information/consultation and participation of local communities

Climate scenario Impacts models Mapping

FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Identified Vulnerable sectors these were:– Agricultural (rainfed) sector: Sorghum,

millet and Gum Arabic– Water sector – Human health sector: malaria

Findings of this project was used as base for the other studies

www.unfccc.int

AIACC

One of the 24 regional studies of AIACC: Global Assessment of Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change in multiple regions and sectors

capacity building for research community and identification of adaptation options contribution to methodology development

Provided information for the IPCC 4th assessment report which covered vulnerability and adaptation in the developing countries.

http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/aiacc

LOCATIONS AIACC PROJECT

NAPA The overall goal of the NAPA process in

Sudan has been to identify urgent and immediate activities to address climate variability and climate change within the context of the country’s economic development priorities.

Focused on three sectors planning, awareness, capacity building,

identification of adaptation activities for implementation through LDCF.

www.unfccc.int

NAPA

KEY NON-CLIMATIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE VULNERABILITY OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IN SUDAN

Severe poverty levels Lack of income diversity Lack of agricultural inputs Mismanagement of resources Over-cultivation of land Fragile land or water resources Poor soil fertility Deforestation Conflict over natural resources Poor extension services Displacement of communities Poor sanitation or health services

THE COMPONENTS OF THE NAPA :

Programmes or projects (Pilot for the zones) addressing the urgent and immediate adaptation needs

Recommendations for improving current policies to be more comprehensive and relevant to climate change

Recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the institutional framework to integrate and implement the strategy

Some projects out of the NAPA now are being implemented

THE HIGHLY RANKED ADAPTATION PROJECTS IN SUDAN BASED ON REGION-SPECIFIC EVALUATION

CRITERIA

Ecological Zone

Adaptation option

Desert Zone (River Nile State)

Improving sustainable agricultural practices under increasing heat-stress in the River Nile State

Semi desert Zone (North Kordofan State)

Environmental conservation and biodiversity restoration in northern Kordofan State as a coping mechanism for rangeland protection under conditions of increasing climate variability

Savannah on clayey soil (Gedarief State)

Enhancing resilience to rainfall variability through rangeland rehabilitation and water harvesting in the Butana area of Gedarif State

Savannah on sandy soil (South Darfour State)

Reducing the vulnerability of communities in drought-prone areas of southern Darfur State through improved water harvesting practices

Southern Sudan (Central Equatorial State)

Strategies to adapt to drought-induced water shortages in highly vulnerable areas in Central Equatorial State

CBAAOBJECTIVES:

Reduce the vulnerability and enhance the capacity to adapt to climate change of particularly vulnerable communities in 8 African countries.

Enlarge the body of information on vulnerability and adaptation

Strengthen existing networks to enhance understanding of climate adaptation needs of vulnerable communities.

Develop a tested methodology for setting baseline, monitoring and evaluating changes in climate adaptation capacity.

COMMUNITY-BASED ADAPTATION IN AFRICA (CBAA)

gatekeeper 142 : November 2009: www.iied.org

ADAPTATION AND DEVELOPMENT To address climate change effectively and

achieve sustainable development, there is need to do development differently.

This requires not only doing development better, but also adapting development policies to take climate change into account.

As a country we need to make sure that in our activities we incorporate climate change risks and opportunities into national strategies and plans

Protection of existing development projects and programs and their beneficiaries from the impact of climate variability and change

Additional cost

ROLES FOR DIFFERENT ACTORS

Gapes in information and need for research (vulnerability assessment and adaptation)

Awareness raising Political support Preparedness at National level to meet the

anticipated (soon) climate change agreement

Thank you