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Disaster microinsurance: an innovation for transformation: In Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 133, July 2015
The Policy Brief is primarily aimed at a human rights audience, and intends to both inform human rights policymakers and provide guidance on how international human rights law, institutions and mechanisms might contribute to more effective, just and sustainable policy responses (at the international and national levels) to climate change and crossborder displacement.
It reflects primary and secondary research; the outcome of a meeting during the 25th session of the Human Rights Council (the Council) on the ‘human rights implications of displacement in the context of disasters’ o ...Disaster microinsurance: an innovation for transformation: In Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 133, July 2015
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Available online: http://preventionweb.net/go/45457
Published by: AIDMI ; 2015
The Policy Brief is primarily aimed at a human rights audience, and intends to both inform human rights policymakers and provide guidance on how international human rights law, institutions and mechanisms might contribute to more effective, just and sustainable policy responses (at the international and national levels) to climate change and crossborder displacement.
It reflects primary and secondary research; the outcome of a meeting during the 25th session of the Human Rights Council (the Council) on the ‘human rights implications of displacement in the context of disasters’ organised by the URG, the Nansen Initiative on Disaster-Induced Cross-Border Displacement (the Nansen Initiative) and the Governments of Costa Rica, Norway and Switzerland; and a range of interviews with state delegates, and other stakeholders, dealing with human rights, climate change and displacement.
Part I describes past progress, driven by the international human rights community, to establish and leverage the relationship between human rights and climate change, and explains key contemporary debates as well as challenges to further progress. Part II looks at the particular case of cross-border displacement in the context of climate change and disasters, which has often been raised as an issue of concern in the Council but has never been grasped in a meaningful way. Part III offers ideas and recommendations for future action.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Disaster Risk Management (DRM) ; Disaster Risk Financing, Disaster risk transfer ; Social aspects ; India
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Local level planning to cope with heat waves in India: In Southasiadisasters.net, issue no. 132, June 2015
This issue of Southasiadisasters.net focuses on the theme of the 'Risk of Heat Waves and Climate Change in India'. It tries to highlight the phenomena of heat waves from the perspectives of various stakeholders ranging from the local authorities to the vulnerable communities such as street vendors, construction workers, children and the elderly. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan has been highlighted as a policy level intervention worth emulating in other Indian cities. Similarly, an anthropological perspective to heat wave planning is also posited.
This issue's contents includes: ( ...Local level planning to cope with heat waves in India: In Southasiadisasters.net, issue no. 132, June 2015
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Available online: http://www.preventionweb.net/files/45029_localplanningheatwave.pdf
Published by: AIDMI ; 2015
This issue of Southasiadisasters.net focuses on the theme of the 'Risk of Heat Waves and Climate Change in India'. It tries to highlight the phenomena of heat waves from the perspectives of various stakeholders ranging from the local authorities to the vulnerable communities such as street vendors, construction workers, children and the elderly. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan has been highlighted as a policy level intervention worth emulating in other Indian cities. Similarly, an anthropological perspective to heat wave planning is also posited.
This issue's contents includes: (i) Need for National Strategy for Heat wave Preparedness; (ii) Heat Waves in India: Key Facts and Figures; (iii) Scaling up Heat Action Plans in India: The Ahmedabad Experience; (iv) Towards Climate Sensitive Disaster Management Plan in Gujarat; (v) Heat Waves and Disaster Management Plans in India; (vi) Why Every Authority should have a Heat Wave Preparedness Plan; (vii) Beating the Heat: Lessons from Ahmedabad's Heat Wave Action Plan; (viii) Ahmedabad's Heat Action Kids; (ix) Schools to Build Resilience against Heat Waves; (x) An Anthropological Approach to Understanding Heat Waves; (xi) Climate Change within Disaster Risk Reduction; and (xii) Documentation of Best Practice of the Community at Chaudangpathar Golaghat.Language(s): English
Format: DigitalTags: Climate change ; Disaster Risk Management (DRM) ; Heat wave ; India
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The institutionalisation of climate policy in India: designing a development-focused, co-benefits based approach
This paper examines climate policy in India, its coordination, design and implementation.
It looks at three periods: pre-2007; 2007–2009 and 2010-mid-2014 and several key themes are identified: First, the formation of climate institutions have frequently been driven by international negotiations, even while filtered through domestic context. Second, once established, institutions tend not to be stable or long-lasting. Third, while various efforts at knowledge generation have been attempted, they do not add up to a mechanism for sustained and consistent strategic thinking on clim ...The institutionalisation of climate policy in India: designing a development-focused, co-benefits based approach
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Available online: http://www.cprindia.org/sites/default/files/working_papers/Dubash%20and%20Joseph [...]
Published by: Centre for Policy Research ; 2015
This paper examines climate policy in India, its coordination, design and implementation.
It looks at three periods: pre-2007; 2007–2009 and 2010-mid-2014 and several key themes are identified: First, the formation of climate institutions have frequently been driven by international negotiations, even while filtered through domestic context. Second, once established, institutions tend not to be stable or long-lasting. Third, while various efforts at knowledge generation have been attempted, they do not add up to a mechanism for sustained and consistent strategic thinking on climate change. Fourth, coordination across government has been uneven and episodic, reaching a high point with a specialised envoy in the Prime Minister’s Office. Fifth, the overall capacity within government, in terms of specialised skills and sheer numbers of personnel remains limited. Sixth, capacity shortfalls are exacerbated by closed structures of governance that only partially draw on external expertise. Seventh, institutional structures are not explicitly designed to enable India’s stated objective of climate policy in the context of development, which implies specific attention to co-benefits and mainstreaming.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Climate policies ; India
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Understanding drought in India: Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 127, March 2015
This report emphasizes that governments at all levels must provide their agencies with the authority and resources required to fulfill their disaster preparedness responsibilities and provincial and federal governments must provide further funding assistance to help empower local authorities. It explains that organizations outside of government as well as the public have preparedness responsibilities which they must come to understand, accept and fulfil. In addition, the report touches upon several recommendations which can be used by governments to successfully work towards better preparednes ...
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Available online: http://www.preventionweb.net/files/submissions/43468_127understandingdrought.pdf
Published by: AIDMI ; 2015
This report emphasizes that governments at all levels must provide their agencies with the authority and resources required to fulfill their disaster preparedness responsibilities and provincial and federal governments must provide further funding assistance to help empower local authorities. It explains that organizations outside of government as well as the public have preparedness responsibilities which they must come to understand, accept and fulfil. In addition, the report touches upon several recommendations which can be used by governments to successfully work towards better preparedness.
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Drought ; Severe cold ; Flood ; Agroclimatology ; Climate change ; India
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Urban climate change resilience in action: lesson from projects in 10 ACCCRN cities
This portfolio of projects provides a ‘first generation’ view of how a set of cities have interpreted building urban climate change resilience (UCCR) challenges and translated their understanding into targeted priorities and actions, as a pioneering effort to advance on-the-ground actions. These projects seek to strengthen the capabilities of cities to plan, finance and implement UCCR strategies for coping with the inevitable impacts of climate change taking place now, and in the decades to come.
The document describes the projects capturing details from the various experiences ...
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Available online: http://acccrn.net/sites/default/files/publication/attach/ACCCRN_ProjectsInsights [...]
Published by: Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network: Indore Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation, the ; 2015
This portfolio of projects provides a ‘first generation’ view of how a set of cities have interpreted building urban climate change resilience (UCCR) challenges and translated their understanding into targeted priorities and actions, as a pioneering effort to advance on-the-ground actions. These projects seek to strengthen the capabilities of cities to plan, finance and implement UCCR strategies for coping with the inevitable impacts of climate change taking place now, and in the decades to come.
The document describes the projects capturing details from the various experiences that will be useful to other cities as they realize the critical importance of building resilience to climate change. It presents key insights emerging from an analysis of 36 intervention projects, which have been funded and are being implemented under the Rockefeller Foundation Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) in ten initial cities (Indore, Gorakhpur and Surat in India, Bandar Lampung and Semarang in Indonesia, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai in Thailand, and Can Tho, Da Nang and Quy Nhon in Vietnam). One of the intentions of the ACCCRN initiative was to advance the still young field of UCCR with practical actions that substantiate the growing number of theoretical frameworks.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Climate change ; Urban zone ; India ; Indonesia ; Thailand ; Viet Nam
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Rapidly assessing flood damage in Uttarakhand, India
This brochure is part of a series highlighting the World Bank's achievements in disaster risk management initiatives. It reports on the Joint Rapid Damage Needs Assessment (JRDNA) conducted immediately in the aftermath of the 2013 monsoons, which triggered the collapse of a glacial lake dam and causing heavy flooding and landslides that claimed upwards of 4,000 lives and affected nearly a million people. This brochure describes the approach taken in recovering from to these events and offers lessons learned.Permalink![]()
The emerging economies and climate change : a case study of the BASIC grouping
Bidwai P. - Transnational Institute, 2014Among the most dramatic and far-reaching geopolitical developments of the post-Cold War era is the shift in the locus of global power away from the West with the simultaneous emergence as major powers of former colonies and other countries in the South, which were long on the periphery of international capitalism. As they clock rapid GDP growth, these “emerging economies” are trying to assert their new identities and interests in a variety of ways. These include a demand for reforming the structures of global governance and the United Nations system (especially the Security Council) and the fo ...Permalink![]()
Resilience to extreme weather
The Royal Society, 2014This document investigates how we can reduce the impact of extreme weather today while preparing ourselves for future changes, and what we can do to build our resilience. The authors explore these and other key questions to help inform important decisions about adaptation and risk reduction that are being made at global, national and local levels.Permalink![]()
Assessing the costs of climate change and adaptation in South Asia
This report synthesizes the results of country and sector studies on the economic costs and benefits of unilateral and regional actions on climate change in ADB’s six South Asia developing members, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The study takes into account the different scenarios and impacts projected across vulnerable sectors and estimates the total economic loss throughout the 21st century and amount of funding required for adaptation measures to avert such potential losses. It is envisioned to strengthen decision-making capacities and improve understa ...Permalink![]()
Local approaches to harmonising climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies: Lessons from India
The Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) conducted research in the disaster-prone arid zones of India, Leh and Barmer to determine how best to overcome the challenges of integrating effective disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation into development planning. This brief describes the team’s research and observations, and suggests how other communities can address similar challenges by using windows of opportunity in post-disaster situations. The paper argues that special planning and response mechanisms need to be developed at the national level to meet the ...Permalink![]()
Vulnerability profiling of cities: a framework for climate-resilient urban development in India
This working paper presents a holistic approach for how a city can customise its rapid vulnerability assessment in order to understand what is required for building climate resilience. The framework can be used to highlight the potential impact of climate change on urban services arising from the geographical setting of a city; the nature, size and density of its settlements; and the existing coping capacity of its society and governance system. The paper argues that the situation is aggravated by growing urban populations, high urban poverty and backlogs in the provision of basic infrastructu ...Permalink![]()
Drought in Jalna: community-based adaptation to extreme climate events in Maharashtra
This booklet is based on outcomes from a two-year Indo-Norwegian research and capacity development project titled, ‘Extreme Risks, Vulnerabilities and Community-Based Adaptation in India (EVA)’. The findings draw upon empirical data from rural communities in Jalna District in the dryland region of Marathwada of Maharashtra.Permalink![]()
Moving from water problems to water solutions: research needs assessment for the eastern Gangetic Plains : proceedings of the international workshop
The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and partners organized a two day international workshop which was held on May 7- 8, 2013. The workshop titled “Moving from Water Problems to Water Solutions: Research Needs Assessment for the Eastern Gangetic Plains” focused on reviewing the state of knowledge, institutions and successful practices to enhance productivity of land and water resources within the region. The proceedings of the workshop are highlighted in this report.Permalink![]()
The year of recurring disasters: a review of natural disasters in 2012
This report examines four topics: (i) disasters in 2012, with a focus on recurring disasters; (ii) the role of regional organizations in disaster risk management; (iii) wildfires; and (iv) the important role of women in disaster risk management. It highlights the value given by governments and other actors in working together to prevent disasters and, to a lesser extent, to respond to disasters occurring in the region. It also features the development of strong regional initiatives and different mechanisms for encouraging collaboration, including frameworks for disaster risk reduction, regiona ...Permalink![]()
Cost benefit studies on disaster risk reduction in developing countries
Shyam K.C.; Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the ; World Bank the - World Bank, 2013This note briefly surveys existing evidence in developing countries with regard to the benefits and costs of various disaster risk reduction interventions so as to provide some general lessons for disaster risk reduction (DRR) practitioners on the strengths and limitations of such existing work. In doing so, the note examines evidence on the economics of DRR in developing countries.
The note begins by providing a comparative guideline for analysis. This is followed by a summary diagnostic of seventeen case studies along five key dimensions comprising the guideline as follows: ( ...Permalink![]()
Mapping the regional variation in potential vulnerability in Indian agriculture to climate change: An exercise through constructing vulnerability index: In African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
The anticipated changes in water availability, temperature rise, soil degradation and the suggested increase in extreme weather events are likely to greatly affect agriculture in India. This paper aims to develop the vulnerability profile of agricultural systems of the Indian states to the changing climate scenarios. It develops two sub indices: Bio-Physical vulnerability index and Socio-Economic vulnerability index to develop the final overall vulnerability index.
The contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP has been declining over recent years, but agriculture still provides employm ...Permalink![]()
The demography of adaptation to climate change
UNFPA, 2013The document consolidates the knowledge, methods, and practices that emerged from the 2010 expert group meeting entitled "Population Dynamics and Climate Change II: Building for Adaptation" organized by UNFPA, IIED and the Colegio de México in Mexico City.
It intends to catalyze action in global, national and local communities around a more informed, data driven adaptation process, and to bring together disparate disciplines, from environment science to planning to social science and beyond. The use of spatial data is at the core of this agenda.
It is divided in ...Permalink![]()
Farmers' perceptions and adaptation measures towards changing climate in South India and role of extension in adaptation and mitigation to changing climate
This document examines the ways in which farmers in rural India are adapting to climate change in order to preserve their livelihoods. The document is comprised of seven sections: (i) section one introduces the idea of indigenous knowledge in relation to climate change; (ii) section two explains the agricultural impacts of climate change in India; (iii) section three discusses methods of climate change adaptation; (iv) section four outlines the methodology and scope of this study; (v) section five presents and discusses extensively the results of the study regarding the ways in which farmers h ...Permalink![]()
Urgency to strengthen science-informed decision making in disaster risk management in India
Patra Jyotiraj; Integrated Action on Resilience and Global Sustainability (InAcReGS) - InAcReGS, 2013This policy brief analyses some of the existing institutional constraints, as well opportunities, for systematic and robust coordination among scientists/researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the field of disaster risk management in India. Building on the recent experience of the Himalayan Tsunami, it suggests a set of action points and a framework that would further strengthen science-informed decision making to deal with the uncertainties and complexities in a changing disaster risk context in India.Permalink![]()
Shaping post-2015 development (HFA) agenda bottom-up: AIDMI statement of contributions to HFA during 2012-13
AIDMI, 2013This paper offers a brief overview of how the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute's (AIDMI) risk reduction initiatives and their results have contributed to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) goals and how they can help shape the post-2015 development agenda from the bottom-up. The paper includes a description of AIDMI, a description of the HFA goals, and a chart which maps AIDMI's activities to the HFA priorities for action.Permalink![]()
Shaping post 2015 development (HFA) agenda bottom-up: AIDMI statement of contributions to HFA during 2012-13
AIDMI, 2013This statement offers a brief overview of how All India Disaster Mitigation Institute’s (AIDMI) humanitarian and risk reduction initiatives and their results have contributed to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) goals and how they can help shape the post-2015 development agenda from the bottom-up.Permalink![]()
Business and disaster risk reduction: good practices and case studies
UN/ISDR, 2013This publication contains 14 good practices and case studies that have been compiled by the Private Sector Advisory Group of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). Each of the 14 examples applies one or more of the five essentials for business in their pursuit of disaster risk reduction. It presents the various types of collaboration and cooperation, core to the all five essentials, that are positioned as critical in minimizing or potentially eliminating disasters as well as disasters’ effects on people, property and ultimately, the health, economy and resilience of wo ...Permalink![]()
Better laws, safer communities? Emerging themes on how legislation can support disaster risk reduction
IFRC, 2013This short pamphlet sets out some preliminary findings from a 2-year comparative study of legislation for disaster risk reduction in 26 countries.Permalink![]()
The policy climate
This report offers an overview of climate change policy issues across the world. It focuses on: 1) Brazil, China, India, Europe and the United States, which represent the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions but vary widely in terms of economic development, natural resource endowment, political system and climate policy; 2) The economic sectors that represent the greatest potential for greenhouse gas mitigation; and 3) A defined set of policy issues within these regions and key sectors that most affect climate change. For each of the sectors covered, the report provides facts and data a ...Permalink![]()
National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Scenarios : Learning from Experiences in Developing Countries
Xenarios Stefanos - RiceClima, 2013This report aims rather to contribute to a better understanding of the issues and challenges involved in drawing up baseline scenarios, by documenting and drawing lessons from the breadth of existing practices in a range of countries. This existing diversity is both a key asset for gradually increasing the robustness of baseline scenarios, but also the reason for a lack of comparability.Permalink