Many development organisations are now taking on-board the impact of climate change in their programmes, and community based adaptation is emerging as a successful approach for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. On 12th July, Practical Action is holding a day workshop in London to discuss the current context and future possibilities for community based adaptation. Those with experience in CBA practice will have the chance to discuss their findings and those new to the approach will find it a thorough introduction to the main ideas. All are welcome to attend, and sign up details are below.
In order to stimulate discussion on the main issues, some of key questions of importance are outlined below. These, with others, will be the topics of workshops and breakout groups on the day. If you plan to attend the event or not, we hope that you can contribute to the debate, find answers to your questions, flag up new questions, or just whet your interest for further thought:
Urban adaptation:
- Can the community approach be applied to the urban context?
- What are the best urban organisations for facilitating adaptation?
Climate resilient agriculture and food Sovereignty:
- It is now widely recognised that the current agricultural paradigm will not provide adequate food in a changing climate and with reduced use of fossil fuels, but are development NGOs adequately reflecting this in their work
- How to influence the policy framework on agriculture towards food sovereignty, given the huge vested interests?
Governance of adaptation:
What governance structures can channel adaptation support to where it is most needed?
- How can governments be encouraged to be more inclusive of the poor for adaptation provision?
International finance:
- What can be done to ensure funding will be available for CBA?
Ecosystems and adaptation
- The majority of people most vulnerable to climate change live in rural areas and derive most of their livelihoods from natural resources. Do CBA programmes adequately reflect the need to ensure ecosystems will continue to support livelihoods in a changing climate?
- How to balance the need to ensure ecosystems will be resilient, while putting people at the centre of adaptation? Is this an ethical dilemma or not?
To book a place at the CBA workshop, held at 356 The Resource Centre, Holloway Rd, London N7 6PA, please contact Christine Comerford. The event starts at 9.30 and runs until 17.15. The small charge of £20, to cover costs, is payable by cheque or cash on the day. If you would like to contribute a poster presentation on any of the topics above, please contact Rachel Berger
Community-Based Adaptation Workshop
More on Practical Action’s approach to adaptation
July 6th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Over the last few years, there have been a number of major conferences discussing adaptation, and a series of international conferences focusing on community based adaptation, 3 in Bangladesh and this year, one in Tanzania, organised by IIED and partners. As more NGOs gain experience, so the discussion can move beyond the ‘how to do CBA’ and show casing good examples, to discussions of underlying concepts, and issues around scaling up: how to ensure that when money flows to governments for adaptation, that CBA will be prioritised, and that funding will meet the needs of the most vulnerable people?
Adaptation requires a learning-by-doing, or action research approach: the issue is still at an early stage. Monday will be a work-shop in the full sense of the word – I am looking forward to it!