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Handbook collection. Public Information and Warnings Handbook
The effective communication of public information and warnings is a critical element of emergency management, with the power to save lives. This handbook provides insight and guidance to people who have responsibility for communication with the public in the event of an emergency. The handbook presents nationally agreed principles for warning policy and practice and explores the essential elements and discipline of effective public information and warning delivery.
This handbook is designed to be of value across a wide range of hazards. Whether it is a natural hazard or weather ...
Guidelines on Best Practices for Achieving User Readiness for New Meteorological Satellites
The current publication presents, in an integrated manner, best practices for user-readiness projects performed by user organizations (for example, NMHSs) as well as for satellite development programmes in support of user readiness. Definitions of and a timeline for deliverables are presented that should be made available by the satellite development programmes to user-readiness projects. The best practices documented here therefore apply to both user organizations (section 3) and satellite operators (section 5). The primary audiences for this publication are Members of the Coordination Group ...
Directives sur les bonnes pratiques pour préparer les utilisateurs aux nouveaux satellites météorologiques
La présente publication synthétise les bonnes pratiques pour les projets de préparation des utilisateurs mis en oeuvre par des organismes d’utilisateurs (par exemple, les SMHN) et pour les programmes de mise au point des satellites prévoyant la préparation des utilisateurs. Elle présente les résultats attendus de ces programmes pour les projets de préparation des utilisateurs ainsi que les délais impartis à cet effet.
Les bonnes pratiques ci-décrites s’appliquent donc à la fois aux organismes d’utilisateurs (section 3) et aux opérateurs de satellites (section 5).
La publication s ...
新一代气象卫星实现用户就绪的最佳做法指南
В настоящей публикации комплексным образом представлены наилучшие практики для проектов по обеспечению готовности пользователей, выполняемых организациями-пользователями (например, НМГС), а также для программ по развертыванию спутников в поддержку готовности пользователей. В документе содержатся определения и сроки получения поставляемых результатов, которые должны быть переданы программами по развертыванию спутников проектам по обеспечению готовности пользователей.
Настоящая публикация преимущественно ориентирована на членов Координационной группы по метеорологическим спутникам (КГМС) ...
Руководящие принципы по наилучшим практикам обеспечения готовности пользователей к использованию метеорологических спутников нового поколения
В настоящей публикации комплексным образом представлены наилучшие практики для проектов по обеспечению готовности пользователей, выполняемых организациями-пользователями (например, НМГС), а также для программ по развертыванию спутников в поддержку готовности пользователей. В документе содержатся определения и сроки получения поставляемых результатов, которые должны быть переданы программами по развертыванию спутников проектам по обеспечению готовности пользователей.
Настоящая публикация преимущественно ориентирована на членов Координационной группы по метеорологическим спутникам (КГМС) ...
Directrices sobre las mejores prácticas para preparar a los usuarios de nuevos satélites meteorológicos
Esta publicación presenta, de manera integrada, las mejores prácticas para los proyectos de preparación de usuarios ejecutados por las organizaciones de usuarios (por ejemplo, los SMHN), así como para los programas de desarrollo de satélites en apoyo de la preparación de usuarios. Se incluyen definiciones y un calendario de entregables que los programas de desarrollo de satélites deberían poner a disposición de los proyectos de preparación de usuarios.
Esta publicación está destinada principalmente a Miembros del Grupo de coordinación de los satélites meteorológicos (GCSM) y de la OMM, ...
Guidelines on Best Practices for Climate Data Rescue (WMO-No. 1182)
This technical document is an update of WMO/TD-1210, WCDMP-55, Guidelines on Climate Data Rescue (2004). It builds on the original Guidelines, while taking into account both changes in technology that have occurred in the intervening 12 years and lessons learned in more recent climate data rescue activities around the world. An overview of data rescue is presented with chapters on its importance, archiving original media, imaging, digitization and archiving digital images and digital data. Twelve appendices provide supporting information.
The Guidelines on Climate Data Rescue are intend ...
Pacific Islands Meteorological Services in Action : A Compendium of Climate Services Case Studies
SPREP ; Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI); Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland ; et al. - SPREP, 2016
Satellites for Climate Services: case studies for establishing an architecture for climate monitoring from space
The report describes case studies that demonstrate the direct or indirect value of Earth observation satellites for climate services.
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High mountain adaptation partnership: lessons learned in Nepal and Peru
This report details the lessons learned during the implementation of the High Mountains Adaptation Partnership (HiMAP)(www.highmountains.org) project between March 2012 and June 2015. Located under the broader USAID Climate Change Resilient Development (CCRD) project, the goal of the HiMAP is to strengthen the climate change adaptation capacities of people who live in, or are dependent on, high mountain glacial watersheds and the ecosystem services which they provide. The document is intended to be a resource for USAID Missions, donors, practitioners, and NGOs interested in learning more about ...
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Climate resilient infrastructure services: lessons learned
The Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services (CRIS) program was an initiative of USAID’s Climate Change Resilient Development (CCRD) project. CRIS worked to improve the ability of cities in developing countries to provide reliable and sustainable infrastructure services that support smart and lasting development, even in a changing climate. For two-and-a-half years the CRIS program worked with cities to develop, test, and implement approaches to improve the climate resilience of infrastructure services. These services—which include transportation, water, sanitation and waste management, energ ...
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The Antalya report : Disaster risk reduction in a changing climate - lessons learned about lessons learned
The report documents the Disaster Risk Reduction Expert Forum 2015: which took place in February 2015 in Antalya, Turkey. The Forum was convened to discuss and share lessons learned about lessons learned about hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
Protected areas as tools for disaster risk reduction : a handbook for practitioners
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ; Ministry of the Environment, Japan - gov - IUCN, 2015This handbook explains what protected areas can and cannot contribute to DRR strategies. In this handbook protected areas are explained as a buffer against coastal erosion and flood risks, which provide ecosystem goods and services on which people rely for their livelihood.
The handbook describes how protected areas can be integrated into national DRR strategies to the mutual advantage of both and it looks at how to combine natural and engineering solutions in DRR.
The main text is supplemented by case studies drawing on the experience of the Ministry of Environme ...
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Overview of natural disasters and their impacts in Asia and the Pacific, 1970 - 2014
The paper provides a review of natural disasters and their impacts in Asia and the Pacific by disaster type, sub region and level of development. The first section looks at the occurrence of natural disaster events. This is followed by an analysis of fatalities and economic loss in sections two and three respectively. The short-term consequences of natural disasters on the economy are also mentioned. The final section briefly discusses aspects regarding exposure and vulnerability of countries in Asia and the Pacific.
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Community resilience framework : lessons from the field
Swiss NGO DRR Platform, 2015The report presents the main findings from case studies about resilience assessments that were carried out in five countries through workshops: El Salvador, Bolivia, Haiti, Palestine, and Cambodia. It capitalizes on local knowledge and experience and provides important insights not only on how those most at risk build resilience, but also on how they struggle to overcome the barriers that are imposed on them by their natural, socio-political and economic environments. It highlights the range of expertise and commitment for promoting resilience through disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate ...
Water and Climate Change Adaptation in Transboundary Basins : Lessons Learned Lessons Learned and Good Practices and Good Practices
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); International Network of Basin Organizations - United Nations, 2015The APFM has given its contribution to the new publication by UNECE on “Water and Climate Change Adaptation in Transboundary Basins: Lessons Learned and Good Practices”. Launched at the 7th World Water Forum 2015 in Daegu & Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, it follows-up and complements the Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change.
The impacts of fog and thunderstorms on aircraft operations : a case study of Wilson Airport Nairobi Kenya
Abongnwi Ngwa Lumfuh - 2014Adverse weather is the main cause of the alterations to operations at Wilson airport. At Wilson airport, occurrence of fog and low ceiling, cross winds, thunderstorm and heavy rainfall are considered the main causes of adverse weather hampering the aircraft operations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of fog and thunderstorm on aircraft operations at Wilson airport. The impact is measured in terms of delay, diversion, cancelation and economic value of these actions. The data on fog and thunderstorm data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Service (Climatological secti ...
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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 ...
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Climate-resilient development : a framework for understanding and addressing climate change
This framework offers a simple yet robust five-stage approach to help decision-makers and development practitioners at all levels systematically assess climate-related risks and prioritize actions that promote climate-resilient development. Developed by USAID’s Global Climate Change Office, this “development-first” approach helps decision-makers and practitioners integrate climate considerations directly into development activities across multiple sectors, keeping the focus on achieving development goals despite a changing climate. Working with USAID missions, governments, and other stakeholde ...
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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.
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Climate change and conflict: findings and lessons learned from five case studies in seven countries
This report distills the main findings of five case studies, with the goal of emphasizing key institutions and the interactions of non-climate and climate factors in each country or city. The case studies focused on four basic research questions: 1. Does (or could) climate change/variability contribute to the conditions for organized, political violence? 2. Does climate change/variability contribute to circumstances with high-conflict potential linked to the access and use of natural (or economic) resources by specific livelihood groups, identity groups, or urban dwellers? If so, how and why? ...
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Madagascar: country case study report - How law and regulation supports disaster risk reduction
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) ; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - UNDP, 2014This report considers the extent to which disaster risk reduction (DRR) is mainstreamed into the disaster risk management laws and institutions in Madagascar. It identifies key laws and regulations in the area of disaster risk management (DRM), especially those applicable nationwide. It finds that these legal frameworks currently focus more on response and recovery than on prevention and DRR. Legislation also provides for DRM bodies at all levels of government administration, including at the community level, although the establishment and effective functioning of these bodies remains a challe ...
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Valuing Investments In Data Processing and Forecasting Systems - The Implications of the KMA Experience
The three main operational components of daily weather production systems are real-time observing and data collection, routine global exchange of data and information and the systematic operational processing of data to produce meteorological analyses, numerical weather predictions (NWP) and weather forecasts and warnings. Thus, these three components – the Global Observing System (GOS), the WMO Information System (WIS), and the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS) – have formed the backbone of the World Weather Watch (WWW) System.
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WMO Fellowships: Enhancing Practical Forecasting Skills
Two fundamental requirements for effective running of the World Weather Watch (WWW) are adequacy of human resources and of physical infrastructure. When the WWW was established in the 1960s, these two requirements formed the most important obstacles for WMO and its partners to deliver an efficient and effective cooperation framework for global weather monitoring. Since the inception of the WWW, WMO has cooperated with diverse partners in order to respond to the human resources needs of developing countries through its Education and Training Programme. Through strategic interventions considerab ...
Adaptation to climate change in the southern mediterranean: a theoretical framework, a foresight analysis and three case studies
This report addresses the main policy relevant questions about climate change adaptation in the Mediterranean region and provides answers based on a theoretical framework applied to the case of three Mediterranean countries, namely Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia. The first sections deals with adaptation to climate change from a theoretical viewpoint, covering not only economic issues, but also fairness and international agreements on mitigation and adaptation.
The second part makes use of the conceptual framework developed in the theoretical discussion to analyse the adaptation-rela ...
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Reflections on 20 years of land-related development projects in Central America: 10 things you might not expect, and future directions
Drawing upon several sources of information and types of analysis, including literature reviews, field visits and rapid participatory assessments, this paper provides a critical assessment of land-related development policies and projects over the past two decades in Central America. Reflections on past land-related development policies and projects in Central America are based on their contributions to growth and poverty reduction. The paper calls for future projects to better integrate poverty reduction and development goals, natural resource management, disaster risk management and climate ...
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Insuring against natural disaster risk in Mexico: case study
World Bank, 2013This case study is part of World Bank Treasury's financial solutions in practice series. It introduces Mexico government's initiatives, which allowed the country to move from an ex-post response to natural disasters to an ex-ante preparedness approach, through: (i) the fund for natural disasters, to which it transfers budgetary funds for disaster relief and reconstruction efforts; and (ii) an institutional framework for disaster preparedness involving risk assessment, risk reduction, the promotion of a culture of prevention, and insurance.
The paper also features Mexican sub-na ...
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Using climate information to support adaptation planning and policy-making: A practical case study in Bagamoyo District, coastal Tanzania
This case study is designed to provide a practical example of how to use climate information to support adaptation planning and policy-making. The paper focuses on the Bagamoyo district in coastal Tanzania. Local livelihoods are mostly based on natural resources, including small-scale agriculture, seaweed farming, traditional fishing and small-scale eco-tourism. People living on the coast report that climate variability and climate change are affecting their lives due to factors such as unreliable timing and intensity of rainfall, major flooding and sea-level rise. These impacts have increased ...
The Effectiveness of flood management
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM); Sayers and Partners - WMO, 2013This case study, which is a part of wider scope Tool “Effectiveness of Flood Management,” summarizes flood management approaches and policies adopted in England. The study introduces the national framework of flood management policies and the roles of flood related organizations. For better and efficient management, England has been taking a risk based approach to flood management for years, including systematic benefit cost analysis and project appraisal. Adaptive approach to cope with emerging climate change issues is also becoming a mainstream management strategy.
Comparison of different rainfall inputs in a continuous rainfall-runoff model – a case study for Argentina
Buzzella Maria Mercedes; Institute of Water Resources Management, Hydrology and Agricultural Hydraulic Engineering - Leibniz Universität, 2013Precipitation data is the main input parameter in order to simulate rainfall-runoff processes, since it is strongly dependent on the accuracy of the spatial and temporal representation of the precipitation. In regions where rainfall stations are scarce, additional data sources may be considered necessary. In this manner, remote sensing from satellite platforms has provided a satisfactory alternative due to its global coverage. Although a wide range of satellite-based estimations of precipitation is available, not all the satellite products are suitable for all regions. Most of the studies perf ...
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 ...
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New pathways to resistance: outcomes of the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa research and capacity building program 2006-2012
This report presents a brief and interactive summary of the Climate Change in Africa research and capacity program’s chief contributions. It provides a guided tour of the program’s efforts and legacy – its aims and means, the principal outcomes of the funding and mentoring it provided to African researchers, and the lessons it offers for future adaptation efforts in Africa and elsewhere. Throughout this report, there are links to programme and project resources, and directions for delving further into its scientific findings.
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Sierra Leone youth-led community-based disaster risk reduction
YCI, 2013This report summarizes lessons learnt from the Y Care International supported Sierra Leone YMCA project to carry out a disaster risk reduction (DRR) pilot project in two urban slum communities of Freetown in 2012. The project is a good example of youth participation in DRR, collaboration with other agencies, and learning through research on youth volunteerism. The aim of this pilot project was to learn the best ways of reducing the risk of disasters such as flooding and cholera in urban slum communities of Freetown through involving young people in preparing for, carrying out activities to red ...
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Guidebook - Increasing Climate Change Resilience of Urban Water Infrastructure : Based on a Case Study from Wuhan City, People’s Republic of China
ADB, 2013Th is guide describes a practical approach to bridge the gap between theoretical analyses of climate change impacts and the planning decisions that need to be made by city authorities and utility managers to increase climate change resilience of the water sector in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It focuses on answering the questions currently being asked by city planners and managers all over the world.
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A global urban risk index
Which cities have the highest risk of human and economic losses due to natural hazards? And how will urban exposure to major hazards change over the coming decades? This paper develops a global urban disaster risk index that evaluates the mortality and economic risks from disasters in 1,943 cities in developing countries. Concentrations of population, infrastructure, and economic activities in cities contribute to increased exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards. The three components of this risk measure are urban hazard characteristics, exposure, and vulnerability. For earthquakes, cy ...
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Pushing Through Reform: Lima's Disaster Risk Management Strategy | ELLA
Watanabe Masahiro - ELLA, 2013In recent years, there have been a number of important actions at the institutional level for promoting disaster risk management (DRM) in developing countries. Yet securing a city-level political commitment that ensures the required investment and specific action plans in big cities has remained a pending challenge. This Brief describes how the Municipality of Lima designed and implemented its Disaster Risk Management Strategy, in particular analysing how disaster risk management was successfully positioned through advocacy and communications efforts. This case highlights some particularly int ...
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Latin American experience in combining Disaster Risk Management with poverty reduction
Watanabe Masahiro - ELLA, 2013Extreme weather events have a direct impact on households' welfare, and in particular, the poorest, most socially excluded populations. Increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding, is closely linked to the growing vulnerability of households and communities. Thus, the impacts of extreme events on poverty, income, consumption, health and education present a serious challenge to the well-being of these populations, and also produce negative long-term consequences for economic and social development across the region. In order to reduce the impact ...
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What are the roles of civil society in governing disaster reduction? Case study from national and local levels in Indonesia
This paper highlights evidence of disaster risk governance at national and local levels in Indonesia. Drawing upon the strength of social network approach, it specifically analyzes and presents the network of actors in disaster risk reduction policy reform in Indonesia where civil society plays vital roles. Two case studies are provided to exemplify the roles of civil society at local level. The paper concludes that disaster reduction policy reform at different levels in Indonesia have been equally coproduced by civil society, local governments, national government and international actors.
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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 ...
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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.
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Indigenous peoples and climate change in Africa : Case studies exploring climate change impacts on indigenous peoples in Namibia and their adaptation strategies
Through two participatory case studies, this paper examines the impact of climate change on the indigenous peoples of Namibia. The objectives of the case studies are three-fold: to document how the indigenous peoples are affected by climate change; to analyse how they perceive, adapt to and leverage opportunities from climate change; and provide recommendations for strengthening the indigenous peoples’ engagement in national and international public climate change policy.
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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 ...
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Global Estimates 2012: People displaced by disasters
Over five years from 2008 to 2012, around 144 million people were forced from their homes in 125 countries. In 2012, an estimated 32.4 million people in 82 countries were newly displaced by disasters associated with natural hazards triggered by climate- and weather-related events (98 per cent of all displacement in 2012; 83 per cent over five years), with flood disasters in India and Nigeria accounting for 41 per cent of global displacement in 2012. In India, monsoon floods displaced 6.9 million and in Nigeria 6.1 million people were newly displaced. The Global Estimates report determines that ...
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United Kingdom peer review report 2013 - Building resilience to disasters: implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015)
UN/ISDR, 2013This report presents the first peer review undertaken to assess progress in the implementation at national level of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA), under which Member States of the United Nations have committed to policy action. It aims to: 1) establish state-of-the-art approaches to each of the HFA Priorities for Action; 2) identify good practices and shortcomings/areas needing improvement; and 3) develop recommendations to achieve further progress.
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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.
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IRGSC working paper, 04. Public private partnership in disaster reduction in a developing country: findings from West Sumatra, Indonesia : In American Journal of Geographic Information System, 2013 2(1)
This paper addresses the fiscal gaps in resource experienced by local governments in developing countries to address overall stock of disaster risks and vulnerabilities because there are many other competing priorities. It looks at Indonesia, who developed a new form of risk governance by inviting non-state actors such as civil society and private entities to collaborate in risk reduction. This collaboration emerges as form of disaster risk governance namely public-private partnership under the coordination of civil society.
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Application of remote sensing and GIS for flood hazard management: a case study from Sindh Province, Pakistan: In American Journal of Geographic Information System, 2013 2(1)
This study assesses the flood vulnerability of Pakistan's Sindh Province using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The study is organized into five sections: (i) the first section introduces the region and the natural hazards present; (ii) section two defines the study's objectives and explains the methodology; (iii) section three presents the findings; (iv) and section four concludes the paper by asserting the utility of mapping in flood risk assessments.
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Farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies in northern Nigeria: an empirical assessment
This study examines farmer's perception of the causes, constraints and strategies towards effective climate change adaptation in northern Nigeria. Data were collected from 500 respondents using both qualitative and quantitative approaches through a multistage random sampling technique. The study results show that the respondents were informed of the incidence of climate change as regards uncertainties in terms of higher temperatures, unpredictability of rainfall patterns, extreme weather events and increased farming problems such as loss of soil fertility. Respondents perceived the causes of c ...
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Adaptation or development? Exploring the distinctions (or lack thereof) through case studies in Bangladesh and Vietnam
Using Bangladesh and Vietnam as ‘adaptation project-dense’ contexts, this study explores how adaptation is understood, mainly by practitioners in development projects, but also by government staff, donors, researchers and others who are involved in implementing projects. The study outlines the following three key messages. 1) Differentiating between adaptation and development may be an artificial exercise, because in project implementation this difference is mostly considered insignificant; 2) Development is considered a ‘safer’ objective than adaptation, due to the lack of tools to assess suc ...
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Climate resilience and disaster risk management: stories of change from CDKN
This brief presents results from projects supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to assess vulnerability and mainstream climate resilience into development planning. Case studies from India, Ghana and Colombia illustrate the importance of involving diverse social groups in defining and monitoring vulnerability and delivering adaptation solutions. The paper highlights the use of innovative techniques such as role-playing games to raise people’s awareness of the tough challenges posed by decision-making in a changing climate. Examples include: an initiative to protect ...
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Building resilience to climate change through indigenous knowledge: the case of Bolivia
Indigenous knowledge plays an important role in the way communities interact with their climate. However, according to this ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the increase of extreme weather events and disasters calls for new partnerships between indigenous people and the scientific community – an area where Bolivia could lead the way. The brief finds that indigenous people have reported that traditional climatic indicators are no longer as reliable as in the past and provide little protection against the impacts of severe ...
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Adaptation inspiration book: 22 implemented cases of local climate change adaptation to inspire European citizens
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Mobilizing climate investment: the role of international climate finance in creating scaled-up, low-carbon energy
This report draws on the experiences of six countries (India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia) to examine how public climate finance can help meet the significant investment needs of developing countries by creating attractive conditions for scaled-up investment in low carbon energy. Building on lessons from the case studies, it provides a set of key lessons and insights for readiness. The report develops a framework to identify and prioritise readiness activities that will require public financial support to create the conditions necessary to scale-up investments in rene ...
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Embedding climate change resilience in coastal city planning: early lessons from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network summarises guidelines for climate change adaption in the coastal city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. It outlines the process leading to creation of the guidelines and highlights how they lay the foundation for a full municipal adaptation plan. According to the brief, the government of Colombia is also closely following the progress of this municipal process, which will influence the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and similar approaches in other coastal cities and towns in ...
Case studies on flash flood risk management in the himalayas : in support of specific flash flood policies
ICIMOD, 2013This publication contains a summary of each of eight case studies in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, as well as an overview of the status of flash flood risk management in the region and a list of regional recommendations to be brought to the attention of policy makers.
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Best practices and lessons learned in addressing adaptation in the least developped countries
UNFCCC, 2013This publication was prepared by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group with support from the UNFCCC secretariat Adaptation Programme. In carrying out this task, valuable assistance and advice was received from members of the teams working on national adaptation programmes of action in least developed countries, and representatives of the Global Environment Facility and its agencies.
Disaster risk reduction in urban areas
This document presents the disaster risk reduction (DRR) processes developed in several Latin American cities. It shows the benefits of making risk reduction an integral part of local development. It also highlights the importance of good information for risk assessment, government-civil society collaboration, and links between local, national and regional levels of government. It is intended to offer a wealth of lessons for African and South Asian counterparts embarking on their own urban risk reduction processes.
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Reducción del riesgo de desastre en las ciudades: la experiencia de la República de Corea
Nuestra capacidad de reducir el riesgo de desastres depende del compromiso total de los gobiernos locales.
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Уменьшение опасности бедствий в городах – опыт Республики Корея
Наши возможности уменьшить опасность бедствий зависят от полноценного участия местных органов власти. Когда центральные и местные органы власти работают сообща, они могут представлять собой внушительный альянс в деятельности по уменьшению опасности.
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Building resilience for adaptation to climate change in the agriculture sector : Proceedings of a Joint FAO/OECD Workshop
FAO, 2012
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Integrated Urban Water Management - Lessons and Recommendations from Regional Experiences in Latin America, Central Asia, and Africa
The purpose of this working paper is to review a set of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) initiatives and pilot studies funded by the World Bank’s Water Partnership Program (WPP) in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The report is structured into three chapters:
(1)Introduces the main concepts of IUWM;
(2)Reviews the findings of 10 case studies;
(3)Puts forward recommendations to sustain and enhance the scope of IUWM activities;
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Climate-change mitigation and adaptation in small island developing states: the case of rainwater harvesting in Jamaica: In Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, vol. 8, issue 2 (Summer 2012)
Waite Marilyn - 2012This essay looks at climate change impacts on small island developing states (SIDS). It argues that climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies must be developed to cope with changes such as shifting precipitation patterns, increasing evapotranspiration and expanding saline intrusion into coastal aquifers and wells. Using Jamaica as a case study, the paper examines the utility of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in SIDS and answers questions regarding: 1) how much rainwater can be harvested on the island given present and future precipitation patterns; and 2) how much can RWH realistically c ...
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Grow in Concert with Nature: Sustaining East Asia’s Water Resources through Green Water Defense
This study will assess advances in management practices, institutional and technological innovations for managing water scarcity sustainably under a changing climate. The impetus for this analysis comes from the World Bank’s concept note ‘Towards Green Water Defense (GWD) in East Asia’ study, specifi cally one of the building blocks of the GWD concept: Managing water scarcity by “producing more with less” or increasing water productivity and reducing undesirable externalities.
Climate ExChange
Climate ExChange is a fully illustrated 250-page book with over 100 authors relating their work in weather, climate and water services at international, regional, national and local levels. The commentaries draw upon experiences around the world reflecting how people are using climate information to improve their lives. Climate ExChange reflects the progress and challenges in these fields, highlighting good practices in a wide variety of societies and disciplines.
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The poverty and welfare impacts of climate change quantifying the effects, identifying the adaptation strategies
Although poverty remains widespread in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, substantial progress has been made especially in the past three decades. Nevertheless, this report stresses that climate change is likely to reduce agricultural productivity, which will directly affect poor people's livelihood assets including health, access to water and other natural resources, homes and infrastructure. Increasing climatic variability will make poor households even more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, which could in turn exacerbate the incidence, severity and persistence of poverty in developi ...
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Disaster prevention and reconstruction from a gender equal society perspective: Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake
This special section of the annual white paper on gender equality 2012 provides an analysis and proposal under the theme of disaster prevention and reconstruction from a gender equal society perspective. It addresses the need to improve and strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation measures in anticipation of large-scale events similar to the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the future. It examines the Great East Japan Earthquake as it happened as well as the government’s response to the event from the perspective of a gender equal society. It also clarifies any lesson ...
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Climate change, water stress, conflict and migration
UNESCO, 2012This collection of papers, presented at the symposium ‘Climate change, water stress, conflict and migration’ held on 21 September 2011 in the Netherlands, highlight how climate change, water stress and other environmental problems threaten human security. For example, the paper by Muniruzzaman ilustrates how water ignores political and community boundaries, and how decisions in one place can significantly affect water use elsewhere. India’s plans to build more dams could, for instance, have devastating affects for Pakistan’s agricultural productivity which is highly dependent on water supply f ...
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Biodiversity: delivering results in Europe and the CIS
World Bank, 2012This publication presents some of the outcomes of GEF-funded work managed by UNDP in Europe and the CIS that aims to conserve biodiversity
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Learning Lessons: ADB’s Response to Natural Disasters and Disaster Risks
ADB, 2012Natural disasters triggered by extreme hazards have increased sharply worldwide since the 1980s, as measured in lives lost, displaced people, and financial cost. Asia and the Pacific have borne the brunt of the physical and economic damage. This brief highlights lessons and recommendations from an independent evaluation report that assessed ADB support for disaster prevention and recovery programs during 1995–2011. The evaluation finds that disaster recovery projects have been much more successful than ADB-supported projects overall. Nonetheless, it also finds that most ADB country programs ha ...
Feeling the heat: the human cost of poor preparation for disasters
Islamic Relief Worldwide, 2012This report shows the positive difference Islamic Relief Worldwide is beginning to make in the area of disaster risk reduction (DRR) by highlighting how village disaster committees and earthworks to raise people’s houses have reduced the impact of seasonal flooding in north-western Bangladesh. It shows how irrigated vegetable growing and microfinance loans for small businesses are helping former pastoralists to build new livelihoods in north-eastern Kenya that are less vulnerable to drought. It provides evidence that being better prepared can save money as well as lives and shows that it can b ...
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Developing a climate-smart agriculture strategy at the country level: lessons from recent experience
Since the Global Conference on Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture held at the Hague in 2010, the concept of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has gained increasing attention at international and national levels, with several countries initiating related activities. The objective of this paper is to highlight recent experiences with country-level implementation of CSA to identify some key lessons to incorporate in ongoing efforts to expand the use of the approach in developing countries. Section 1 describes the evolution of the concept of CSA since the Hague conference. Section 2 i ...
Bivariate analysis and synthesis of flood events for the design of hydraulic structures – a case study for Argentina
A bibliographic review of the state of art of flood estimation techniques shows the importance of studying floods as multivariate events. The aim of this work is to discuss whether a multivariate analysis is necessary for designing dams or for assessing the adequacy of spillways belonging to existing dams. A multivariate approach offers a range of possible events associated to a joint return period, which can be used in a design stage. The multivariate criterion includes information related with the dependence structure linking the flood variables. This dependence is involved in the generation ...
Post disaster governance, complexity and network theory: evidence from Aceh, Indonesia after the Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004
This research aims to understand the inter-organizational network typology of large scale disaster intervention in developing countries and to understand complexity of post disaster intervention through the use of network theory based on empirical data from post tsunami reconstruction in Aceh, Indonesia, during 2005-2007. It addresses the ‘poly-centric’ features of emergency and reconstruction management, which promotes the notion that there are many overlapping centers of authority and responsibility for disaster risk reduction and post disaster intervention.
FONDEN: Mexico’s natural disaster fund – A review
This report aims to share Mexico’s considerable achievements on financial management of natural disasters with other governments. The report outlines the evolution of FONDEN to date and highlights aspects of particular bearing and applicability to other disaster-prone countries. The report is of particular relevance to middle-income countries but also contains important messages for both high- and low-income countries. It is hoped that this report will contribute to the dialogue on financial disaster risk management and inspire innovation elsewhere, leading to the improved financial management ...
Knowledge Centre on Cities and Climate Change
This Knowledge Centre on Cities and Climate Change (in short: K4C) helps you to keep track of what is happening in the field of cities and climate change, by serving as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices, as well as facilitating exchange of innovative initiatives.
K4C provides you with access to hundreds of publications and reports and a world map provides you with an overview of cities, countries and regions for which good practice examples and documents are available. Moreover, through K4C you can get in touch directly with institutions and communities that are prom ...
Information for climate change adaptation: lessons and needs in South Asia
This wokring paper aims to identify barriers to information use for climate adaptation in South Asia. It serves as background for a South Asian regional workshop that will bring together adaptation information users and producers to inform likely new investments in the information base for climate adaptation. This paper aims to support progress toward the regional workshop's objectives by: (i) identifying barriers to effective information production, access, and application in the South Asian region; (ii) posing a practical vocabulary for characterizing relevant information types; (iii) articu ...
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Tohoku research 1 (post-disaster recovery)
This research report is concerned with the purpose of disseminating experience and lessons learned from the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (EJET) to help strengthen disaster resilience of disaster prone regions in Japan and the world. It focuses on different aspects of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and environmental management. Some issues addressed: (i) developing record of school experiences from the EJET; (ii) study on building school centered disaster resilient community, which includes a review of past DRR activities; (iii) building disaster resilient community through healthcare netwo ...
Putting resilience at the heart of development: investing in prevention and resilient recovery
UNDP, 2012This brochure illustrates lessons and challenges learned from UNDP activities in disaster risk reduction (DRR), recovery and reconstruction. Its goal is to further the understanding of the role of UN agencies, including the UNDP, and the role of the international community in DRR. It also discusses the government of Japan's role as a strong partner with UNDP in DRR and provides other country examples. Issues addressed: (i) reducing the impact of disaster through prevention measures; (ii) emergency response and recovery from disasters; (iii) gender equality and the empowerment of women in disas ...
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Municipal ICT Capacity and its Impact on the Climate-Change Affected Urban Poor: the case of Mozambique
World Bank, 2012
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Safer Communities Through Disaster Risk Reduction (SC-DRR) in Development
The issue of climate change is set to increase the frequency of extreme weather events. Countries, therefore, are required to undertake adaptive measures to ameliorate the impact of such events; Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is an important element of such measures. This report, published by the United Nations Development Program and the Government of Indonesia, presents findings from the final evaluation of the Safer Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction (SC-DRR) project. The project aimed to improve safety in Indonesia by considering the ways in which DRR can be integrated into the cou ...
People displaced by natural hazard-induced disasters: global estimates 2011
This study presents global estimates for the number of people newly displaced in 2011 by disasters induced by both weather-related and geophysical hazards, and makes comparisons with findings from 2008, 2009 and 2010. It provides evidence of the scale and location of displacement associated with natural hazard-induced disasters, and is aimed to serve as a contribution to the knowledge required to inform policy and practice, as well as to prevent and prepare for future events.
The study observes that a relatively small number of large and mega-disasters have been responsible for ...
Climate change adaptation: a priorities plan for Canada
CCAP, 2012This document is the final report of the of the Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP), which was designed to identify and operationalize practical, meaningful and cost-effective adaptation solutions to the most challenging impacts of climate change facing Canada. It outlines a "Priorities Plan for Canada" based on the CCAP’s work to date.
The document identifies eight priority areas (city infrastructure, biodiversity, freshwater resources, aboriginal communities, agriculture, insurance and building codes adaptation for climate change, insurance and tools for the promotion of ...
Improving the Assessment of Disaster Risks to Strengthen Financial Resilience: A Special Joint G20
GFDRR, 2012This report – Avoiding Future Famines: Strengthening the Ecological Basis of Food Security through
Sustainable Food Systems - has been a unique collaboration of 12 leading scientists and
experts involved in world food systems including marine and inland fisheries.
The institutions involved include the UN Environment Programme, the International Fund
for Agricultural Development, the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations,
the World Bank, the World Food Programme and the World Resources Institute. The report provides
detai ...
A Workbook on Planning for Urban Resilience in the Face of Disasters: Adapting Experiences from Vietnam’s Cities to Other Cities
This comprehensive work book provides tips on urban adaptation drawn from efforts to boost climate resilience in cities in Vietnam. It has been produced by the World Bank Group and is intended to assist policymakers in developing countries plan for anticipated impacts of climate change. The work book is designed to provide a user-friendly, step-by-step approach to national, provincial and local planning. It is argued that the potential impacts of natural disasters and climate change should be considered in nearly every aspect of urban planning and development.
East Japan earthquake and tsunami: lessons for the education sector
Shaw Rajib; Takeuchi Yukiko; Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University ; et al. - UNESCO, 2012This publication provides a compilation of lessons learned for the education sector from the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster. It explores the benefits of education sector preparedness measures on disaster risk during and following the East Japan Earthquake. The study analyses the role that hard and soft components of disaster risk reduction (DRR) in education, or lack thereof, played during the disaster, including policy and planning, teaching and learning, and facilities and infrastructure. It was undertaken in order to build an evidence base for the importance of DRR in educa ...
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Adaptation to climate change in semi-arid environments: experience and lessons from Mozambique
FAO, 2012 (Environment and Natural Resources Management-No. 19)Southern Africa and Mozambique are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The region is frequently exposed to droughts, floods, variable rainfall and heat, which are expected to worsen, and sensitivity to such exposure of the natural resource-based livelihood system is very high. The project area is remote and highly underdeveloped and the population is poor, food insecure, and not resilient to the impact of climate shocks. Due to water scarcity, not sufficient for humans and livestock except in a few communities along the Limpopo River, livelihood options are limited. Livelihoods ...
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Current knowledge on relevant methodologies and data requirements as well as lessons learned and gaps identified at different levels, in assessing the risk of loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change : technical paper
UNFCCC, 2012Drawing on existing relevant work and documents, this technical paper aims to provide an overview of existing methodologies and tools for assessing the risk of loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. In particular, the paper assesses 18 selected approaches, methods and tools in terms of their data and information requirements, strengths, weaknesses, lessons learned, gaps at different levels and relevance for social and environmental impacts, as well as discussing capacity needs for applying risk assessment methods in developing countries. It also considers risk a ...
Learning lessons: intense climate-related natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific
ADB, 2012This synthesis addresses the global increase in frequency of intense floods and storms in Asia and the Pacific amid the spectre of climate change, and points to the need for better mitigation and adaptation to natural disasters. It presents the lessons drawn from evaluations of information sourced from publicly available databases
How to make cities more resilient: a handbook for local government leaders
UN/ISDR, 2012This handbook provides mayors, governors, councillors and other local government leaders with a generic framework for risk reduction and points to good practices and tools that are already being applied in different cities for that purpose. It discusses why building disaster resilience is beneficial; what kind of strategies and actions are required; and how to go about the task. It offers practical guidance to understand and take action on the "Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient" as set out in the global campaign "Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!".
One year later: lessons from recovery after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake
Heritage Foundation, the, 2012This document presents the key lessons learned from a team of experts reassembled to evaluate Japan’s long-term efforts to recover from the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and to prepare for future catastrophes. Based on extensive literature and interviews with Japanese officials and experts, it identifies four critical areas that affect response to a catastrophe: (i) recovery and resiliency of critical infrastructure, (ii) environmental remediation, (iii) compensation and disaster assistance, and (iv) population resiliency. In each area, it makes key observations, determines findings, and deve ...
Disaster reduction in Africa: in ISDR Informs, special issue on drought risk reduction
UN/ISDR, 2012This special issue looks at drought risk reduction through the lens of the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA), the global framework for disaster risk reduction. It features the excellent work being done throughout the African region and underscores the necessary holistic approach to achieve better resilience to drought in the future. This issue has been made possible by the financial contribution of ECHO.
Least Developed Countries Expert Group - Best Practicies and Lessons Learned : in addressing adaptation in the least developed countries through the national adaptation programme of action process, volume 1
UNFCCC, 2012At the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties in Cancun, Mexico, in December 2010, governments further recognized that adaptation must be addressed with the same priority as mitigation, and adopted the Cancun Adaptation Framework (CAF) to enhance action on adaptation. The CAF includes a process to enable LDC Parties, building upon their experience with the NAPAs, to formulate and implement national adaptation plans and an invitation to other developing country Parties to employ the modalities formulated to support those plans. It is in this context that other Parties have shown inc ...
Pays les moins avancés - Meilleures pratiques et enseignements : Expériences acquises dans les pays les moins avancés avec les programmes d’action nationaux aux fins de l’adaptation, volume 1
CCNUCC, 2012Lors de la seizième session de la Conférence des Parties à Cancْn, Mexique, en décembre 2010, les gouvernements ont reconnu en outre qu’il faut accorder la même priorité à l’adaptation qu’à l’atténuation, et adopté à cet effet le Cadre de Cancْn pour l’adaptation en vue de renforcer les actions dans ce domaine. Ce cadre comprend un mécanisme permettant d’aider les PMA parties, grâce à l’expérience acquise avec les PANA, à élaborer et mettre en oeuvre des plans d’adaptation nationaux, et invite d’autres pays en développement parties à appliquer les modalités proposées pour appuyer ces plans. C’ ...
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Desktop Study on Assessment of Capacity Gaps and Needs of South East Asia Countries in Addressing Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Variability and Climate Change
Alam M.; Asian Institute of Technology ; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - Adaptation Knowledge Platform, 2011This report presents the findings of desktop research that examined the extent to which Southeast Asian countries are prepared for anticipated climate change impacts. It is divided into separate country profiles and includes analysis of the following countries: Lao PDR, Viet Nam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Union of Myanmar and Malaysia. Each profile describes an individual country’s attributes, anticipated climate change impacts, vulnerability, necessary adaptation measures and cross-sectoral institutional settings. Each profile concludes with a summary of key gaps, constr ...
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