The AIACC Project

Assessments of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate

Change in Multiple Regions & Sectors

AIACC Latin America/Caribbean Region MeetingSan Jose, Costa Rica

27-30 May 2003

AIACC Objectives Advance scientific understanding

Of climate change I, A & V in developing country regions.

Build and enhance scientific & technical capacity in developing countries

To investigate I, A & V and To participate in international scientific assessments (e.g. IPCC,

MA)

Contribute to National Communications, NAPAs and adaptation planning

AIACC Partners

• AIACC is a partnership among GEF, UNEP, START, TWAS, IPCC, and developing country institutions– GEF provides the principal funding– UNEP is the implementing agency– START and TWAS are the executing agencies– Participating institutions in developing countries

have provided collateral funding– Additional funding comes from USAID, USEPA, CIDA

and World Bank

Means to achieving objectives

• Fund regional research projects• Provide training and mentoring• Engage stakeholders in the project• Link with National Communications• Establish a network of scientists and

stakeholders to endure beyond the AIACC project

AIACC studies active in 46 developing countries

• 24 regional studies funded• Each study involves a team of scientists

from multiple disciplines– 235+ scientists from developing countries

participating as investigators– 60+ graduate and undergraduate students– 40+ scientists from developed countries

collaborating

Stakeholders, Nat’l Communications, Networks

• AIACC engages stakeholders– For input to objectives, approaches, evaluation of

adaptations, review of outputs

• AIACC links with National Communications– Each regional study making contact with relevant

ministries, committees, persons

• AIACC builds networks– Through participation in studies, workshops, “discuss

aiacc” list-serve, and web-based database and information network

Commonalities among regional studies

• Most are interested in– Near-term consequences of climate change for people– Interactions with other stresses or threats– Human and social aspects of vulnerability– Response strategies (i.e. adaptation) that would lessen

risks from climate change AND address other more immediate threats

• Has led many AIACC studies to take a “2nd Generation” approach to assessment

2nd-Generation Assessments

• Emphasize understanding human side of vulnerabilities – Who is vulnerable to harm? From what? Why?

• Explore multiple, interacting stresses– Climate change, extreme weather, population

growth, land use change, urbanization, land degradation . . .

• Evaluate responses, adaptations– Focus responses on causes of vulnerability

• Engage stakeholders– Enhance relevance, utility, credibility

AIACC Regional Studies in Latin America

Central America •Water•Agriculture•Coastal

•Vulnerabilities to extreme events & climate change•Adaptations

Argentina, Uruguay

•Agriculture •Impacts on mixed grain/grazed agricultural systems•Adaptations

Argentina, Uruguay

•Human settlements•Coastal natural resources

•Vulnerabilities to tide floods, storm, sea level rise, climate change•Adaptations

Uruguay •Estuarine ecosystem•Fisheries•Water

•Vulnerabilities of estuary & human uses•Adaptations

Mexico, Argentina

•Agriculture•Water•Rural settlements

•Farm level analysis of risk mgt. And adaptation•Effects of existing/past policies on vulnerabilities

AIACC Regional Studies in Small Islands

Caribbean •Human Health •Investigate/model health responses to climate (dengue)•Future health impacts of climate change•Adaptations

Fiji, Cook Islands

•Water•Coastal infrastructure•Natural resources

•IAM, extended to include human dimensions•Adaptations

SeychellesComoros

•Tourism•Natural resources

•Direct impacts of climate change & SLR on tourism•Indirect impacts on tourism from effects on natural resources•Adaptations

Anticipated outcomes

• Advance science– Publication of peer reviewed papers, thematic reports that expand

literature on developing country I, A and V– Citation of AIACC findings in IPCC & MA reports

• Build capacity– Participants continue their research and link to policy– Increased numbers of developing country researchers engaged in

IPCC, global change research

• Contribute to National Communications– AIACC participants collaborate in preparation of Nat’l

Communications– Use of AIACC findings in National Communicaitons