23 March 2013: Representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments and the private sector met at the UNFCCC Technical Workshop on Ecosystem-based Approaches (EbA) for Adaptation to Climate Change. Addressing participants, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley provided an update on recent developments in the intergovernmental process on climate change, and highlighted relevant aspects relating to the work on adaptation to climate change.

The workshop was held in Daar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 21-23 March 2013. Kinley’s presentation discussed the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) as a gateway to the future climate regime including on adaptation; and the expected new insights on the status of the climate system to be released in September 2013 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC).

Kinley further described actions to scale up adaptation, including by implementing the Cancun Adaptation Framework through, inter alia, a work programme to consider approaches to address loss and damage and national adaptation plans (NAPs) in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He highlighted funding opportunities for adaptation in the Global Environment Fund (GEF) Trust Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and the Adaptation Fund. He further outlined the UNFCCC Secretariat’s efforts in engaging stakeholders to contribute to upscale adaptation.

During the workshop, participants addressed, among other issues, EbA’s: principles and benefits; planning and practices in adaptation policies and programmes; and methodological, technical and scientific aspects. On EbA principles and benefits, issues discussed included the need for: having a common understanding of EbA; enhancing understanding of its additionality despite existence of a number of good examples; ensuring that rights are the key foundation; and reaching out to other sectors, such as agriculture, water and finance. On EbA planning and practices, participants highlighted, inter alia: aplication of existing tools for obtaining free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from communities; guidelines for integration of local and traditional knowledge; and South-South cooperation through learning exchange visits and information sharing.

Addressing work to be undertaken for EbA, participants underscored the need to: develop strategies that will distinguish knowledge generation from dissemination; develop programmes that will serve to transfer knowledge into action and policy, and create capacity for sustainable self-reliance.

The 17th session of the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 17) requested the UNFCCC Secretariat to organize a technical workshop on EbA for adaptation to climate change, in collaboration with Nairobi work programme partner organizations and other relevant organizations. [Deputy Executive Secretary’s Statement] [Information on the Workshop] [Workshop Agenda] [Facilitator’s Note on Principles and Benefits Session] [Facilitator’s Note on Planning and Practices] [Facilitator’s Note on Methodological Aspects]