Determinants and Effectiveness of Local-Level Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies of Two Initiatives in Bangladeshsummary October 2012
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Determinants and Effectiveness of Local-Level Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies of Two Initiatives in BangladeshSummary October 2012 REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATIONKNOWLEDGEPLATFORM for Asia Acknowledgements This report summarizes the findings of the case studies on the determinants and effectiveness of local-level adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh that the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) had supported under the aegis of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia (Adaptation Knowledge Platform). Conducted from February to June 2012, the case studies draw on Adaptation Knowledge Platform’s work in progress to disseminate and exchange adaptation knowledge among a wider audience. This report was prepared by Dwijen Mallick and Nazzina Mohsin of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) with assistance and inputs from Mozaharul Alam, United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP ROAP), and Hiromi Inagaki, RRC.AP. We extend special thanks to Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director of BCAS, Dr. Abu Wali Raghib Hassan, Project Director of Disaster & Climate Risk Management in Agriculture (DCRMA), Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of Bangladesh, and Dr. Anowara Begum Shelly, Director of Caritas Fisheries Programme, Dhaka, for supporting this endeavor by sharing their documents and opinions. We are also grateful to the countless institutions, organizations, and individuals that provided key inputs and insights for the brief. We welcome your suggestions and comments. Edited by Manraj Grewal Layout by Lowil Espada [email protected] 2012 Bangkok, Thailand October 2012 HowThe Determinants to obtain the digital and Effectiveness copy: of Local-level Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies of Two Initiatives in Bangladesh - Summary can be electronically downloaded from the www. asiapacificadapt.net. This digital publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided the source is acknowledged. The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this report as a source. Determinants and Effectiveness of Local-Level Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies of Two Initiatives in BangladeshSummary October 2012 ii CONTENTS ACRONYMS iv CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION 1 Need for New Knowledge on Local-level Adaptation and its 2 Effectiveness Objectives and Scope of Case Studies 2 Analytical Framework 2 Methodologies of Case Studies 3 Case study in the coastal area 4 Case study in the drought-prone area 4 CHAPTER 2 EXISTING KNOWLEDGE ON CHARACTERISTICS, DETERMINANTS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL-LEVEL 5 ADAPTATION Key Characteristics and Approaches of Local-level Adaptation 6 Factors and Determinants of Local-level Adaptation 7 Effectiveness of Local-level Adaptation 7 CHAPTER 3 LOCAL CONTEXTS, DETERMINANTS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO ADAPTATION INITIATIVES IN 9 BANGLADESH Local Contexts: Climate Risks and Vulnerabilities 10 Adaptation Strategies of the Two Initiatives 11 Adaptation Actions of the Two Initiatives 12 Factors and Determinants of the Two Initiatives 12 Determinants of Local-level Adaptation in Coastal 12 Ecosystems Determinants of Local-level Adaptation in Drought-prone 14 Upland Common and Different Determinants of Local-level 15 Adaptation Effectiveness of Local-level Adaptation 15 Determinants Leading toward Achievement of Greater 17 Effectiveness CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSIONS 19 References 21 Annex 1: List of Experts and Project Staff interviewed 22 iii Determinants and Effectiveness of Local-Level Adaptation to Climate Change ACRONYMS ADPC AKP Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre AR4 Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia ARCAB 4th Assessment Report of IPCC BADC Action Research on Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation BCAS Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute BCCSAP Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies CBA Bangladesh Climate Change Strategies and Action Plan CBO Community Based Adaptation DAE Community Based Organization DPHE Department of Agricultural Extension DRR Department of Public Health and Engineering FAO Disaster Risk Reduction FGD Food and Agriculture Organization GaIn focused group discussions GoB Global Adaptation Index IIED Government of Bangladesh IPCC International Institute for Environment and Development KII Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change LACC key informant interviews LAPA Livelihood Adaptation to Climate Change LGED Local Adaptation Programme of Action LLA Local Government and Engineering Department M&E local level adaptation NAPA Monitoring and Evaluation NGO National Adaptation Programme of Action PR Non Governmental Organization PVA Participatory Research PVCA Participatory Vulnerability Assessment R&D participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment RWHS Rain Water Harvesting System Research and Development TAR Third Assessment Report of IPCC UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change WRI World Resources Institute iv CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Determinants and Effectiveness of Local-Level Adaptation to Climate Change NEED FOR NEW KNOWLEDGE ON LOCAL- experience that is of generic significance. There was a LEVEL ADAPTATION AND special thrust on supporting the existing community- level adaptation activities, especially those of NGOs. ITS EFFECTIVENESS Further consultations among AKP partners and stakeholders in Bangladesh brought to the fore the need for research on factors that influence and determine the effectiveness of LLA. The primary angladesh ministries, including the ministries aim of the research was to better understand how of agriculture, environment and forest, water, the local conditions and external factors determine health, rural development, food and disaster the effectiveness of local-level adaptation initiatives. management, children and women affairs, relevant The specific objectives include: departments and NGOs have been implementing a number of local level adaptation (LLA) projects with Investigating the existing knowledge on various their limited resources and capacity in response to the characteristics of and factors influencing LLA, National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and its effectiveness; and the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategies and Investigating the context-specific factors BAction Plan (BCCSAP). Already known as a pioneering that determine the effectiveness of local- country in the field of LLA, Bangladesh recognizes level adaptation initiatives undertaken in the growing interest in approaches, determinants, Bangladesh; and planning and implementation processes and Verification of the findings of these activities effectiveness of LLA among policy makers, with national and local stakeholders. practitioners, researchers, development agencies, ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK and vulnerable communities. In particular, there is a strong need for updated information and knowledge on climate change trends, risks and vulnerability of human and ecological systems; adaptation options There are many definitions of adaptation in and technologies; planning, implementation, and literature, and this research follows some of the evaluation of LLA. It is also important to obtain in- simpler ones. Adaptation to climate change takes depth knowledge and understanding of various place through adjustments to reduce vulnerability local and external factors that govern LLA and its or enhance resilience in response to observed and effectiveness. expected changes in climate and associated extreme OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE events. Adaptation occurs in physical, ecological and OF CASE STUDIES human systems, which involves changes in social and environmental processes, perceptions of climate risks, practices and functions to reduce potential damages or to realize new opportunities. Biological The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific adaptation is slow and reactive, whereas individuals (RRC.AP), a UNEP collaboration centre located in and societies adapt to both observed and expected the Asian Institute of Technology, entrusted to the changes through autonomous, anticipatory, and Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) planned actions. However, adaptive capacity is the task of conducting an in-depth research into uneven across and within societies, and there the determinants and effectiveness of local-level have been limits and barriers to adaptation (Adger adaptation to climate change as part of an initiative et al, 2007). Enhancement of adaptive capacity called the Regional Climate Change Adaptation is a necessary condition for reducing risks and Knowledge Platform for Asia (AKP). Thirteen vulnerability, particularly for the most affected countries were identified as focal countries for the regions, nations, and socio-economic groups (Smit AKP’s first three years of operation. Among these, et al, 2001: in TAR of IPCC). Bangladesh was recognized as the most advanced in terms of its efforts to mainstream adaptation For investigating the effectiveness of LLA, it is into overall development planning. The focus of necessary to examine the characteristics, types the country’s activities for 2010–2011 reflects and enabling factors of LLA initiatives or the this approach, with efforts to strengthen existing determinants of LLA,