Transfer of Environmentally Sound Adaptation Technologies under the

UNFCCC: A Discussion Paper

Transfer of Environmentally Sound Adaptation Technologies under the

UNFCCC: A Discussion Paper

Presented by:

Joel B. Smith, Paul B. Violette (PADCO), Brian Hurd, and Megan Harrod

Presented to:

Transfer of Technology Consultative Process (Decision 4/CP.4): Asia and the Pacific Regional Workshop

Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

17-19 January 2000

KEY ISSUESKEY ISSUES

Start a dialogue:

– Identify what we mean by adaptation technologies

– How is this different or does it compliment technology transfer relating to climate variability?

– What process can be used to address transfer of adaptation technologies?

What is the Choice for Adaptation?What is the Choice for Adaptation?

Reactive climate change adaptation– An action taken in response to climate change

• A farmer switches to drought tolerant varieties of crops in response to a drier climate

• Is this because of climate change or variability?

Anticipatory climate change adaptation– An action taken before climate changes

• An oil drilling platform is built higher to anticipate sea level rise

Focus on anticipatory adaptations for now because they are based on climate change

Two Types of Anticipatory Adaptations

Two Types of Anticipatory Adaptations

No regrets (win-win) – Make sense under current climate conditions– Have more benefits under climate change– e.g., reforms, water conservation technologies– Can include mitigation technologies

Low regrets– Marginal changes in practices, processes, or

structures because of climate change– e.g., expansion of beach set backs, marginal

changes to infrastructure being built anyway

Two Types of Adaptation Technologies

Two Types of Adaptation Technologies

Soft Technologies– Capacity building,

planning, institutions

Hard Technologies– Hardware,

Infrastructure, Monitoring

Soft Adaptation TechnologiesSoft Adaptation Technologies

Soft Adaptation Technologies

No RegretsAdaptations

Low RegretsAdaptations

General Policies

Incorporate climate change in long-term planning

Tie disaster relief to hazard-reduction programs

Water Resources

River basin planning and coordination

Contingency planning for drought

Explore options for new dam sites

Conserve water

Allocate water supplies using market-based systems

Sea-Level Rise

Plan urban growth

Decrease subsidies or tax incentives to develop landssensitive to sea-level rise

Discourage permanent shoreline stabilization

Preserve vulnerable wetlands

Develop and implement integrated coastal zonemanagement

Implement rolling easements

Hard Adaptation TechnologiesHard Adaptation Technologies

Hard Adaptation Technologies

No RegretsAdaptation

LowRegrets

Adaptation

Water Resources

Use interbasin transfers

Use runoff measuring equipment

Use water saving technologies and practices

Marginal change in construction of infrastructure

Control water pollution

Develop and improve desalination technology

Agriculture

Increase irrigation efficiency

Upgrade food storage and distribution system

Reduce runoff, improve water uptake, and reduce wind erosion (e.g.,bench terracing, tied ridges, deep plowing, roughened land surface,windbreaks)

Conserve soil moisture and nutrients(e.g., stubble/straw mulching, crop rotation, contour cropping, lowerplanting densities)

Preliminary Steps for Transferring Adaptation Technologies

Preliminary Steps for Transferring Adaptation Technologies

Demonstrate a country or region’s vulnerability to climate change.

Demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of adaptation strategies.

Define the roles of various groups in the technology transfer process.

Develop action plans that address priority needs.

Capacity building needed to address these.

Defining RolesDefining Roles

Developing countries. Play dominant roles in assessing and deter-mining needs and im-plementing adaptations. Develop Action Plans

Developed countries. Participate in identifying strategies, setting standards, and removing barriers.

Defining Roles (cont.)Defining Roles (cont.)

Private sector. Provide technologies and expertise.

NGOs. Identify technology needs, adverse consequences, and promote transfer.

Research community. Develop hard and soft technologies, provide training.

Reactive AdaptationsReactive Adaptations

May eventually become an issue

Problems– Costs– Attribution

Source: USBR.

ConclusionsConclusions

Focus on anticipatory adaptations

Focus initially on soft technologies– Capacity building for assessment– Setting standards for assessment and evaluation– Identify and remove barriers

Developing countries should develop action plans– Need to be collaborative– Address removal of barriers– Can include pilot projects

Examine how can build on existing programs