A technical paper by the UNFCCC explains why an integrated approach to climate change adaptation, the SDGs and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is necessary.
The report discusses the challenges faced in undertaking integrated action to respond to climate and disaster risks, including insufficient climate and socio-economic data, inadequate institutional capacity, and a lack of financial and technical support.
25 January 2018: To overcome the challenges of rising global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and weather-related disasters while achieving the SDGs, unprecedented levels of coordination are required, according to a report from the UNFCCC. The report summarizes the views of experts who met in Bonn, Germany, on the sidelines of the 46th session of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies in May 2017, for the second annual technical expert meeting (TEM) on adaptation.
The technical paper titled, ‘Opportunities and options for integrating climate change adaptation with the SDGs and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030,’ explains why an integrated approach to climate change adaptation, the SDGs and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is necessary to build the resilience of those communities “at the forefront” of climate change and natural disaster risks. According to the paper, the adaptation experts believe that early and integrated action linking the three frameworks, and putting resilience and ecosystems at the center, leads to coordination that helps to efficiently use limited resources, and protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Nepal aims to tackle the impacts of poverty and climate change simultaneously to achieve the SDGs.
A number of good practices presented during the meeting are outlined in the report. For example, in Mexico, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project introduced the reforestation of mangroves and riparian vegetation in the wetlands to protect biodiversity, and a rainwater harvesting system with a purifying water system has been installed. In the Caribbean, the Caribbean Disaster Development Agency is diversifying the tourism sector towards community-based tourism and away from coastal tourism due to climate threats to coastal infrastructure. Referring to the SDGs in its national adaptation plans, Nepal aims to tackle the impacts of poverty and climate change simultaneously to achieve the SDGs, and Indonesia is taking the SDGs into account while preparing its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
The report also discusses challenges faced in undertaking integrated action to respond to climate and disaster risks, including the lack of climate and socio-economic data, inadequate institutional capacity, and lack of financial and technical support. It highlights improved coordination among various actors involved in the planning process, as well as the role of the national adaptation planning process, which can support the development and implementation of integrated approaches to adaptation, sustainable development and DRR.
The TEM meeting took place from 16-17 May 2017, convened by the Adaptation Committee under the UNFCCC. It brought together policymakers, civil society organizations (CSOs), scientists, private sector representatives and other stakeholders. The upcoming climate change meeting in May 2018 in Bonn will include a TEM on adaptation planning for vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems. [UNFCCC Press Release] [Publication: Technical Paper on Opportunities and Options for Integrating Climate Change Adaptation with the SDGs and the Sendai Framework]