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Review of Current and
Planned Adaptation Action:
South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana,
Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela
November 2011
About the Adaptation Partnership
Review of Current
and Planned
Adaptation Action:
South America
Contributing Authors:
Marius Keller, Dean Medeiros,
Daniella Echeverría, Jo-Ellen Parry
International Institute for
Sustainable Development
The Adaptation Partnership was formed in May
2010 in response to a recognized need for
development practitioners to share information and
lessons on adaptation efforts. Chaired by Costa
Rica, Spain and the United States, the goal of the
partnership is to encourage effective adaptation by
serving as an interim platform to catalyze action and
foster communication among the various
institutions and actors engaged in the effort to scale
up adaptation and resilience around the world,
particularly in the context of fast start finance. The
Partnership is synthesizes lessons learned and good
practices, highlighting needs and priorities, and
identifying opportunities for cooperation and
alignment of support to build resilience to the
adverse effects of climate change. It is also
enhancing communities of practice engaged in the
adaptation effort.
Adaptation Partnership
Website: http://www.adaptationpartnership.org/
Foreword
In response to a growing awareness of the potential adverse effects of climate change and the
particular vulnerability of developing countries to this process, a significant increase in adaptation
action has been witnessed in recent years in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the
Caribbean. These actions are providing opportunities to: increase understanding of the implications
of climate change for the achievement of development objectives in the near and long terms;
identify strategies and measures that can be taken to reduce climate vulnerability; communicate and
build awareness of climate risks, opportunities and potential solutions; and begin implementing
actions on the ground that build capacity to adapt to a changing climate.
Although the recent global upsurge in adaptation action is a welcome development, the emergence
of a diverse array of efforts initiated by multiple actors within numerous jurisdictions has the
potential to create confusion, lead to duplication of effort and limit the potential for sharing good
practice guidance based on past efforts. Enhanced coordination among expanding networks of
adaptation actors is needed to ensure resources are deployed quickly and effectively. To this end, the
Adaptation Partnership was formed in 2010. Chaired by Costa Rica, Spain and the United States, the
goal of the Adaptation Partnership is to encourage effective adaptation by serving as an interim
platform to catalyze action and foster communication among the various institutions and actors
engaged in the effort to scale up adaptation and resilience around the world.
Toward this goal, the Adaptation Partnership initiated a Review of Current and Planned Adaptation
Action in the fall of 2010. Its purpose is to provide a baseline understanding of who is doing what
on adaptation in three developing regions—Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the
Caribbean—and in priority adaptation sectors. Based on available resources, it seeks to provide a
rapid assessment of: priority interests and adaptation needs; efforts by governments to support
adaptation though policy and planning; the scope of international support for adaptation efforts in
different countries and sectors; and potential gaps in adaptation efforts at the country and regional
levels.
This document is one of 12 regional profiles completed as a contribution to the Review of Current
and Planned Adaptation Action in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. It
presents a review of current and planned adaptation action in South America, covering the following
12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru,
Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. The review first provides an overview of adaptation action at a
regional level, highlighting commonalities and differences between these countries. The appendices
that follow discuss adaptation action taking place in each country.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table of Contents
Foreword
................................................................................................................................i
Abbreviations and Acronyms ................................................................................................... iv
Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. vi
1.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 Methodology....................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 Climate Projections ............................................................................................................ 8
4.0 Needs and Priorities within South America .....................................................................11
5.0 Assessment of Adaptation Action within South America ................................................ 15
5.1 Regional Level Action......................................................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 National Level Action ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.3 Action by Communities of Practice ................................................................................................................................. 33
6.0 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 34
References: ............................................................................................................................. 37
Appendices: Country Profiles .................................................................................................. 41
1.0 Argentina .......................................................................................................................... 48
2.0 Bolivia ............................................................................................................................ 58
3.0 Brazil
............................................................................................................................. 72
4.0 Chile
............................................................................................................................. 95
5.0 Colombia ........................................................................................................................ 105
6.0 Ecuador .......................................................................................................................... 120
7.0 Guyana ............................................................................................................................ 131
8.0 Paraguay ......................................................................................................................... 143
9.0 Peru
........................................................................................................................... 150
10.0 Suriname ......................................................................................................................... 168
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
11.0 Uruguay .......................................................................................................................... 174
12.0 Venezuela ....................................................................................................................... 184
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AdapCC
BMU
BMZ
CATIE
CAN
CIFOR
CONAMA
CRM TASP
ECLAC
ENSO
EU
GDP
GEF
GIZ
GOC
IADB
IAI
INIA
INTA
IPCC
MCT
MDG
MNACC
MMAyA
NGO
NWP
OAS
OECD
PIACC
PCL
Adaptation for Smallholders to Climate Change
Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorischerheit (German
Ministry for the Environment)
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical
Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre)
Comunidad Andina (Andean Community of Nations)
Center for International Forestry Research
Comisión Nacional del Medio Ambiente (Chile) (National Environment
Commission)
Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
El Niño Southern Oscillation
European Union
Gross Domestic Product
Global Environment Facility
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
Government of Colombia
Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (National
Institute for Research and Technology in Agriculture and Food)
National Institute of Technology for Agriculture and Livestock (Argentina) (Instituto
Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia (Brazil) (Ministry of Science and Technology)
Millennium Development Goals
Mecanismo Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (National Climate Change
Adaptation Mechanism)
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua (Bolivia) (Ministry for Environment and
Water)
Non-governmental organization
Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Change
Organization of American States
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Programa Iberoamericano de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (Ibero-American
Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change)
Plataforma Climática Latinoamericana (Latin American Platform on Climate)
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
PRAA
PREDES
REGATTA
RIOCC
SCCF
SDC
SNRCC
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
UNSD
USDS
WHO
WWF
“Design and Implementation of Pilot Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the
Andean Region”
Centre for Disaster Studies and Prevention
Regional Gateway for Technology Transfer and Climate Change Action
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of
Climate Change Offices)
Special Climate Change Fund
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Sistema Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático y la Variabilidad (National
System to Respond to Climate Change and Variability)
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Statistics Division
United States Department of State
World Health Organization
World Wildlife Fund
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Executive Summary
Growing understanding of the need to adapt to the impacts of climate change has led to a significant
rise in ongoing and planned adaptation action in the developing regions of the world, including
South America. This upsurge in climate change adaptation action is a welcome occurrence, but
enhanced coordination among expanding networks of adaptation actors is needed to ensure
resources are deployed quickly and effectively. Responding to this concern, a review of current and
planned adaptation action in South America was undertaken by the Adaptation Partnership1
between October 2010 and May 2011. Covering the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, the rapid review
examined: priority adaptation needs; efforts by governments to support adaptation though policy
and planning; the scope of international support for adaptation efforts in different countries and
sectors; and potential gaps in adaptation efforts at the country and regional level. This review of
adaptation action in South America is one of 12 profiles covering regions in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and
Latin America and the Caribbean completed by the Adaptation Partnership.
The continent of South America is full of geographic extremes—from the dryness of the Atacama
Desert, to the lushness of the extensive Amazon Rainforest, to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes
Mountains, and the fertile lowlands of the Pampas. Its heterogeneous geography has contributed to
the continent’s rich diversity of ecosystems and natural resources that provide the base for many
South American countries’ economies. Development levels in the continent are relatively high, with
all countries being classified as at least a middle income country (OECD, 2009). Some, such as
Brazil, are emerging economic powers. Yet millions of South Americans continue to live in poverty,
and climatic hazards, such as heavy rainfall, hail storms, floods and droughts, continue to adversely
affect national economies and local livelihoods. Climate change therefore presents an additional
challenge to South American countries as they progress towards their development goals.
The countries of South America have recognized this challenge and begun to prepare for the
impacts of climate change. To assess the level of adaptation action in South America, a desk-based
review of internet sources and relevant documentation was undertaken. The content of these
sources was assessed in relation to a set of parameters established to focus the review’s scope and
ensure consistency across regions. Notably, it examines discrete adaptation actions, or “policies,
programs and projects designed and implemented specifically to address the current and projected
impacts of climate change.” The review therefore presents only a portion of the breadth of efforts
underway to reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate. In particular,
it does not capture the broad array of development activities that are increasing the adaptive capacity
of communities and countries. As well, within the review, adaptation actions have been deemed to
be “current” if they were ongoing or completed in 2009 or later. As such, the review does not
Formed in 2010, the Adaptation Partnership is chaired by Costa Rica, Spain and the United States. Its goal is to
encourage effective adaptation by serving as an interim platform to catalyze action and foster communication among the
various institutions and actors engaged in the effort to scale up adaptation and resilience around the world.
1
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include projects completed prior to 2009 that may have contributed to building local and national
adaptive capacity. The review only identifies those actions currently underway; it does not offer
judgment of the effectiveness of actions taking place. In addition, reflecting the desk-based nature of
the review, it is acknowledged that the content is biased toward identification of large-scale projects
funded by international development assistance organizations, and those projects about which
information is available online. As such, small-scale projects that meet the review’s definition of
adaptation action, particularly those occurring at the community level, are not fully represented
within the review.
Climate Vulnerability
South America’s diverse climate ranges from tropical and humid in Amazonia to semi-arid and
desert, to the cool and dry conditions of Patagonia and Antarctica. The region’s climate is highly
influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, resulting in extreme events
such as heavy rainfall, hail storms, floods and droughts in various areas of the continent. Within this
variability, important changes in the climate have been observed in recent decades. Rainfall has been
increasing in south-east Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentinean Pampas, but decreasing in
southern Chile, south-western Argentina and southern Peru. Temperatures increases of 0.5° to 1°C
have been observed, which have contributed to the dramatic receding of Andean glaciers over the
past few decades (Magrin et al., 2007).
Climate projections indicate that further increases in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns will
occur over the remainder of this century. According to Christensen et al. (2007), warming in the
southern half of South America will be similar to the global average, or between 1.8o and 4.0oC by
the period 2090 to 2099, but will likely be above average for Amazonia (ranging from 1.8o to 5.1°C
by 2080 to 2099). Greater uncertainty persists regarding how regional precipitation patterns will
change in the future, with projections ranging from positive to negative for all sub-regions, seasons
and time horizons (Magrin et al., 2007). Recent analysis by the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean, though, shows a distinctive pattern of decreasing rainfall in the northeastern areas of South America, in the southwest of Bolivia, and in the southern two thirds of Chile,
with increasing precipitation in all other areas—especially west of the Ecuadorian mainland and in
western Brazil (ECLAC, 2010). Projections also suggest that the frequency of extreme events, such
as heavy rainfalls and consecutive dry days, will increase in parts of South America (ECLAC, 2010;
Magrin et al. (2007). However, as with precipitation, the uncertainty ranges for extreme event
projections are very large. In contrast, there is considerable certainty that Andean inter-tropical
glaciers will continue to recede and are very likely to disappear in the coming decades (Magrin et al.,
2007). Sea level rise is also certain to continue, although the degree of change remains uncertain.
These climate projections have strong implications for the sensitive human and ecological systems
found in South America. Of particular concern are the potential impacts on the following key
sectors (Magrin et al., 2007; Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010; Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo,
2007; República Argentina, 2007; República de Colombia, 2001; Secretaría de Ambiente, 2001):
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America




Water resources: Increase in the number of individuals experiencing water stress; change in
availability and quality of water; lower hydroelectric power generation; and an increase in
water-stressed watersheds.
Agriculture: Greater salinization of land; decreased availability of pasture land; destruction of
farm land; loss in crop yields; reduction in woodlands and an increase in desertification; and
greater demand in irrigation.
Coastal zones: Increase in coastal flooding; land erosion; salinization of drinking water
resources; loss of land surface; and threats to small-scale fisheries.
Public health: A rise in the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and
schistosomiasis; increase in heat-related health issues such as respiratory diseases,
cardiovascular problems and skin cancer; and greater occurrences of water-borne diseases.
Identified adaptation needs and priorities
Based on current climate projections and their potential impacts, South American countries have
implicitly or explicitly identified priority areas for adaptation through their National
Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as
well as national strategies, action plans, policies and mechanisms. All countries share concerns
related to agriculture, and nearly all have prioritized adaptation action related to freshwater
resources, coastal resources, biodiversity and forestry. Several countries also cite concerns related to
human health and energy provision, while urban systems, transport, housing, fisheries, semi-arid
areas, waste management and risk management have been identified to a much lesser extent.
Countries have identified a wide variety of action that could be taken to reduce their vulnerability to
climate change in key sectors, including (CONAMA, 2008; Magrin et al., 2007; MCT, 2010;
República Argentina, 2007):
 Agriculture: Agro-climatic risk management systems; improving forecasting; increased
research and development; introduction of hazard-resistant crops; increased and more
efficient irrigation; land use planning and agro-ecological zoning; pest control; and crop
insurance.
 Water resources: Integrated watershed management; structural measures such as water dams,
storage, drainage, linkages between watersheds and artificial and rainwater recharge of
reservoirs; more efficient irrigation; water efficiency and conservation measures; early
warning systems for droughts and floods; aquifer monitoring systems; land use planning; and
pricing and fiscal measures.
 Coastal zones: Vulnerability and impact studies; coastal asset inventories and monitoring;
shore protection through mechanisms such as breakwaters and buffer zones; adjustment of
water supply; sanitation and drainage systems for coastal cities and infrastructure; mangrove
protection, biological improvement and reforestation; adjustments to shrimp farming
systems; managed retreat from risky areas; and integrated coastal zone management.
 Human health: Epidemiological monitoring and control; disease projection systems; increased
capacity to deal with emerging and spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever;
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community health services; sanitation measures; promotion of the use of mosquito nets;
implementation of malaria diagnosis and treatment programs; further vulnerability
assessments for populations and health care systems; and better inter-institutional
collaboration.
As well, through their National Communications and other strategic documents, governments often
identify non-sector-specific adaptation needs, including capacity building, awareness raising and
education campaigns, as well as the development of appropriate institutions and policies to support
the implementation of specific adaptation measures.
Policy level actions
Individually, South American countries have begun to address climate change by preparing National
Communications in fulfillment of their obligations under the UNFCCC. They have also devised
national climate change action plans, policies and strategies, some with an exclusive focus on
adaptation. There are, however, large differences between countries. While several countries have
elaborated their own precise policies, plans and programs, others not only lack any high-level policy
paper, but also hardly mention climate impacts as a relevant factor in their national development
plans and strategies. Among the most advanced countries in terms of policy action are Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia and Peru. They have all submitted two National Communications and established
relevant high-level policy documents. Furthermore, all four countries have clearly acknowledged the
importance of climate change adaptation as a development issue by mainstreaming it into their
development plans and strategies.
South American countries are less engaged in policy action through collaborative intergovernmental
processes. No regional climate change strategy exists to date, although the Andean Community
(CAN) has elaborated a scoping paper for such a strategy (CAN, 2011). The strategy discusses the
high vulnerability of CAN members to the impacts of climate change, particularly glacier retreat, but
does not propose a common action framework or any strategic guidelines. More concrete
collaborative action is taking place through the Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices
(RIOCC), which brings together all Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America
and the Caribbean. RIOCC provides a regional platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building
and the promotion of regional adaptation projects. It is supporting its goals in part through the
“Ibero-American Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change,” which, among other objectives,
aims to improve institutional frameworks, support climate research and systematic observation, and
promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences, tools and methods.
Projects and programs that support adaptation
As with policy action, there are also large differences in countries’ level of engagement in the
implementation of discrete adaptation projects and programs. Peru is the clear leader, as it is
involved with about 30 identified projects. Considerably fewer projects appear to be underway in
Suriname, as well as Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Countries with a high level of policy
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action are typically among those with more project-level activity. It is also observed that all countries
participate in more regional or global projects than national ones.
Regional projects that bring together South American countries are being implemented in all
countries, and address a range of priority needs related to agriculture, freshwater supplies, human
health, ecosystems/biodiversity, coastal areas and helping governments plan for climate risks. The
majority of projects support research, capacity building and knowledge communication activities.
The Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are participating in almost half of the
regional projects underway in South America.
At the national level, country-specific project are similarly addressing needs in a variety of sectors,
including agriculture, freshwater resources, coastal zones, ecosystems and forests. Many others
provide general, non-sector specific support for the development of climate change agendas and the
policies of national governments. As with multi-country projects, most national projects emphasize
capacity building and policy research; relatively few focus primarily on the implementation of fieldlevel adaptation measures.
A key funder of national and regional projects and programs in South America is the Inter-American
Development Bank, which is financing about 20 ongoing projects. Other key funders are the
European Union, the Global Environment Facility, Inter-American Institute for Global Change
Research, MDG Achievement Fund, the Special Climate Change Fund, and the governments of
Germany, Spain and the United States.
Adaptation communities of practice in South America
Regional information exchange on climate change adaptation is occurring through a small number
of identified communities of practice that bring together experts, civil society, community members
and policy members. These identified networks are the Program for Local Adaptation, Red Temática
sobre Adaptación al Cambio Climático y el Rol de Servicios Ecosistématicos en América Latina,
Regional Policy Dialogue: Water and Climate Change Adaptation, and the Latin American Platform
on Climate. Additional informal communities of practice are likely also active in South America.
Needs and gaps
Across South America, national governments have identified sectors vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change and corresponding adaptation priorities and needs. To varying degrees, they have
also developed policies and strategies to manage adaptation efforts. They are also engaged in the
implementation of country-specific and multi-country adaptation projects, many of which address
identified needs related to agriculture and water, as well as biodiversity, human health, coastal zones
and disaster risk management. Most of these efforts remain focused on capacity building and policyrelated research. Implementation of concrete adaptation action is still the exception, although a few
notable initiatives have been launched recently in various countries and sectors.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Despite this progress, the gap between needs and actions remains wide. Of all the priorities listed in
strategic documents of the national governments of South American countries, only a small
proportion has been addressed so far. Major gaps in the region’s adaptation activities could be
identified as follows:
 Adaptation action in some key sectors remains low, such as in the areas of human health,
coastal zone management, the maintenance of ecosystem services, forestry and fisheries.
Adaptation action related to the hydroelectric sector in particular may require greater
attention, as well as adaptation action related to South America’s sizable urban areas.
 The gender implications of climate change are only slightly addressed through current
policies and targeted adaptation programming. Future actions could benefit from greater
attention to the specific situation and needs of women.
 Considering the breadth of needs, adaptation action related to freshwater and agriculture
could be expanded. There are still relatively few projects related to freshwater in particular,
considering the potentially significant impacts climate change could have on this crucial
resource.
 Much of the current adaptation programming in South America remains focused on
assessment, research, capacity building and knowledge communication, and there may be a
need to direct more attention toward on-the-ground adaptation work, such as through pilot
projects that build on local experiences.
 Greater effort could be made by national governments to explicitly prioritize sectors in
which adaptation action is needed, and to provide more detailed analysis of needed policy
measures and activities.
 A more systematic approach to adaptation management could help facilitate stronger
adaptation action. Few countries have managed to integrate their vulnerability assessments
and identified adaptation actions into one coherent strategy and action plan, mainstream it
into national development planning, and begin to execute actions according to prioritized
needs.
 Greater coordination of adaptation planning between countries may be appropriate given the
relative scarcity of resources to deal with multiple, integrated issues. This coordination could
be achieved through intergovernmental processes such as CAN, and supported informally
by encouraging the emergence of a greater number of communities of practice actively
focused on sharing best practices related to adaptation.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action:
South America
1.0
Introduction
The continent of South America, extending from the Darién Gap that separates Panama from
Colombia to Terra del Fuego at its southern tip, contains 12 independent countries:2 Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, the current
core members of the Andean Community Figure 1 Map of South America
of Nations (CAN); Argentina, Chile,
Paraguay and Uruguay, sometimes
referred to as the Southern Cone
countries; Brazil, the regional giant in
terms of population and economic
output; and the three Caribbean coast
countries of Guyana, Suriname and
Venezuela. Geographically diverse, the
continent contains the driest desert on
earth, the Atacama, the Andes mountain
range along its western coast, the world’s
largest rainforest, the Amazon, and the
fertile lowlands of the Pampas. This
diversity has contributed to an abundance
of natural resources throughout the
continent that form the basis of many of
the region’s economies. Although none
of the countries in the region are
classified as being among the least
developed countries in the world, Bolivia, Source: World Atlas (undated)
Guyana, Paraguay and Suriname are
ranked has having achieved a medium level of human development (UNDP, 2010). While countries
such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are achieving a higher level of economic development,
millions of South Americans continue to live in poverty and remain vulnerable to changes in
economic and climatic conditions. Climate change presents an additional challenge for these
countries as they progress towards their development objectives.
French Guiana, an overseas region of France, is also located along the Atlantic coast of South America, between
Surinam and Brazil. As it is not an independent state, French Guiana is not examined within this review.
2
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Throughout the region, countries are engaged in efforts to prepare for and respond to the potential
impacts of climate change. To better understand these efforts, this report provides a rapid review of
current and planned adaptation action within the region. Based on available resources, it examines:
identified priority adaptation needs; efforts by governments to support adaptation through policy
and planning; the scope of international support for adaptation efforts in different countries and
sectors; and potential gaps in adaptation efforts at the country and regional levels. The main body of
the report provides an overview of adaptation actions at the regional level, highlighting
commonalities and differences between Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the appendices that follow,
adaptation efforts in each of these countries is discussed.
2.0 Methodology
A rapid review of current and planned adaptation action in South America—one that gives attention
to policies, programs and projects at the national and regional levels—presents a considerable task
given the breadth of actions that can and are being taken to reduce vulnerability to the short-,
medium- and long-term impacts of climate change. Prior to undertaking this review, it was therefore
necessary to clarify the terms that would be used within it and establish a set of parameters to limit
its scope. This section provides an understanding of the research parameters established for this
rapid review and the process by which the information it contains was gathered. These guidelines are
presented to help clarify what the study does and does not aim to achieve.
Definition of “Adaptation Action”
Adaptation is generally defined as being an “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to
actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial
opportunities.”3 Given the breadth of actions that may be taken which are in keeping with this
definition, a critical first step in initiating the rapid review was determining the definition of
“adaptation action” to be used within it.
This process was influenced by the outcomes of a review of 135 “adaptation” activities undertaken
by McGray et al (2007) that led to identification of three different models of adaptation activity:
 Serendipitous adaptation—“activities undertaken to achieve development objectives [that] have
outcomes that incidentally may also support adaptation” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13). This
type of adaptation reflects the widely acknowledged intimate linkage between sustainable
development and building capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Specifically,
sustainable development can enhance adaptive capacity by strengthening institutions,
promoting sound management of natural resources, improving health and education
systems, promoting gender equity and fostering economic growth.
3
UNFCCC glossary of climate change acronyms: http://unfccc.int/essential_background/glossary/items/3666.php.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America


Climate-proofing of development efforts—where activities are “added to an ongoing development
initiative to ensure its success under a changing climate. In these cases, adaptation is seen as
a means to a development end” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13); and
Discrete adaptation—where “adaptation to climate change is the primary objective of a project
or initiative. From the beginning, implementers and funders of these efforts have climate
change in mind” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13).
While recognizing the critical role of serendipitous adaptation and climate-proofing of development
efforts in fostering adaptation to climate change in developing countries, a review of all three types
of adaptation activities would be unmanageable. This study therefore focuses on an examination of
discrete adaptation activities. Therefore, adaptation action within the review is defined as policies,
programs and projects designed and implemented specifically to address the current and projected impacts of climate
change. As such, specific reference has been made to supporting adaptation to climate change, and/or
climate risk reduction in the objectives and/or rationale of each policy, program or project included
in the study.
Due to the selection of this definition, the review automatically presents a narrow snapshot of the
wide breadth of activity (often funded though official development assistance4) that is helping
developing countries build adaptive capacity and reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate
change. Therefore, the review should not be viewed as fully representative of the entirety of
adaptation action occurring in developing countries—nor of the degree to which vulnerability
reduction is occurring in the countries and regions profiled. Rather, the review aims to contribute to
understanding of the identified adaptation needs and priorities of different countries and regions and
the degree to which discrete adaptation activities are contributing to meeting these needs.
Definition of “Current” Action
To further focus the study, adaptation action have been deemed to be “current” if they were
ongoing or completed in 2009 or later. As such, the review does not include a range of projects
completed prior to 2009 that may have significantly contributed to building local and national
adaptive capacity. This observation is particularly true of adaptation action in the Caribbean and
Pacific; reflecting the early interest and commitment of small island developing states (SIDS) to
understanding and reducing their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, countries in these
regions began to explore adaptation concerns as early as the late 1990s.
While the review’s definition of “current” adaptation action limits the scope of the study, the
volume of discrete adaptation initiatives has accelerated in recent years, as reflected in the following
trends:
In 2010, official development assistance totaled US$128.7 billion (OECD, 2011)—a level of funding that significantly
outstrips that which is currently provided in support of adaptation to climate change. See, for example, SEI and UNEP
(2010).
4
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America

Financing for approved projects through the Least Developed Countries Fund has risen
from nearly US$24 million in 2008 to US$177 million as of mid-2011;5
 Adaptation financing through the Special Climate Change Fund has increased from 22
projects worth nearly US$90.73 million in 2009 (GEF, 2009) to 31 projects approved for
financing in the amount of US$128 million as of mid-2011;6 and
 Financing for adaptation by four Bilateral Financial Institutes increased by 31 per cent from
US$3,029 million in 2008 to US$3,963 million in 2009 (SEI and UNEP, 2010).
Therefore, the review reflects the growing number of adaptation efforts initiated in recent years.
Identification of Projects and Programs
A wide range of climate adaptation related initiatives are underway throughout the world—covering
the gamut from original scientific research that informs our understanding of current and future
climate patterns, to capacity building and knowledge sharing, to the adoption of new planting
practices by farmers, to the building of infrastructure that anticipates future climatic extremes. While
acknowledging this diversity, to better achieve the specific objectives of the review, it has focused on
time-bounded projects that support preparation for and/or implementation of practical adaptation
action. As such, the review does not include projects and programs that focus on:
 conducting original scientific research that enhances knowledge of climate change impacts
and development of the tools and techniques for reducing vulnerability;
 ongoing, long-term monitoring efforts (whether climatic or socio-economic) that are needed
to inform decision-making;
 stand-alone capacity building and knowledge sharing workshops, conferences and training
programs; and
 activities solely related to participation in the ongoing international climate change
negotiations.
As well, the review only captures adaptation action financed through international development
assistance; it does not capture adaptation efforts financed solely by national governments. This focus
reflects the original impetus for conducting the review—the current scaling up of adaptation action
and the potential for duplication of effort and limited sharing of good practice—and the challenge
of rapidly identifying nationally funded adaptation projects. This parameter is particularly important
for countries such as Brazil and China, whose governments are engaged in self-driven and selffunded adaptation efforts that are not included within this review.
Data collection
Projects and programs were primarily identified through a desk-based review of the websites of UN
agencies, bilateral development agencies, multilateral financial institutions, international research
organizations and non-governmental organizations. Reflecting the desire for a rapid review, a
5
6
GEF, Least Developed Countries Fund website: http://www.thegef.org/gef/ldcf (accessed September, 2011).
GEF, Special Climate Change Fund website: http://www.thegef.org/gef/sccf (accessed September, 2011).
4
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
comprehensive examination of all of these organizations was not undertaken; rather an emphasis
was placed on capturing initiatives involving organizations generally recognized as being actively
engaged in fostering climate change adaptation. Additional information regarding current and
planned adaptation action was gathered through an examination of relevant reports.
The process by which data were gathered for inclusion in the review has biased its content. Notably,
it is highly likely that a number of small-scale projects meeting the review’s definition of adaptation
action, particularly those occurring at the community level, have not been captured. As well, the
accuracy of the data captured in the review significantly depends upon the accuracy and
completeness of the internet resources used.
Classification of projects
To support analysis of the degree to which ongoing projects are addressing the priority adaptation
needs of developing countries, identified initiatives have been classified in relation to two general
characterizations—their sector or areas of focus and the types of activities being implemented. For
the sectors or areas in which projects are supporting adaptation action, a classification system
comprised of the following 14 macro project categories was developed: food, fiber and forests;
ecosystems; freshwater resources; oceans and coastal areas; disaster risk management; migration and
security; gender; business; infrastructure; human settlements; human health; climate information
services; governance; and multi-sectoral. These macro project categories were then divided further
to provide a more detailed picture of the types of projects identified through the review. For
example, the macro project category of “food, fiber and forests” was sub-divided into agriculture,
pastoralism, forestry and fire management. Current adaptation projects were then labeled in relation
to one or more of these sub-categories.
For the types of projects being implemented, a shorter list of categories was developed. Current
adaptation projects have been assessed in relation to the degree they support research, assessment,
capacity building, knowledge communication, policy formation and integration, field implementation
and community-based adaptation. A fuller discussion of the project classification system used during
this review is provided at the beginning of the appendices.
Gender analysis
Within the review, assessments of the degree to which gender-sensitive adaptation action are
underway in different countries and regions has focused solely upon the extent to which addressing
gender inequalities is a specified objective of projects and programs. The review did not assess the
degree to which individual projects and programs may or may not have integrated gender issues into
their detailed design.7 Therefore, the gender analysis provided in the review should not be viewed as
fully representative of the degree to which current adaptation action is gender-sensitive.
For example, a project may have as its objective building resilience in the agriculture sector and target farmers in
general. As no reference to gender is made in the project’s objectives, it would not be considered a gender-focused
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Assessment of the effectiveness of adaptation action
It should also be noted that this rapid review does not assess the quality or effectiveness of the
project and programs it includes. Therefore, the review does not provide a basis upon which to
judge the degree to which completed and ongoing projects have either achieved their stated
objectives and/or made a positive contribution to increasing the ability of a country or region to
adapt to the impacts of climate change. It only provides an indication of the intended outcomes of
the identified initiatives, the type of action being taken (e.g., capacity building, policy integration and
implementation of practical actions) and their area of focus (e.g., agriculture, water and health).
Scientific Information
Synopsis of projected changes in climate in different countries and regions included in the review are
based primarily on the content of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) and national assessment reports (e.g., National Communications). New
scientific analysis published since the completion of these reports may have both refined and
presented revised understandings of the projected consequences of climate change in different
regions of the world. Therefore, the climate projection sections of the review should be viewed as
indicative of anticipated trends in climatic change at the time of publication of the cited reports.
Qualification of Degree of Adaptation Action
To evaluate and consistently describe the relative level of adaptation activity occurring by country in
each region, a simple benchmarking process has been applied across the review. Using a scale from
zero to “X”, where “X” is equivalent to the number of current adaptation projects underway in the
country in a particular region with the largest number of current projects,8 the scale was divided into
five equivalent quintiles. Each quintile was then assigned a descriptor as follows:
 “Very Low” level of adaptation action = 0 to 20 per cent of “X;”
 “Low” level of adaptation action = 21 to 40 per cent of “X;”
 “Moderate” level of adaptation action = 41 to 60 per cent of “X;”
 “High” level of adaptation action = 61 to 80 per cent of “X;” and
 “Very High” level of adaptation action = 81 to 100 per cent of “X”.
All countries in the region were allocated to one of these quintiles based on the total number of
current adaptation projects and programs identified through the review.
This benchmark approach enabled a standard methodology to be applied across all 12 regions
examined in the Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action while also recognizing their
adaptation action within the review. This finding would stand even if the detailed design of the project includes having
set targets to ensure the involvement of female farmers.
8 In other words, the country in the region with the highest total number of current adaptation projects was identified
and used as a benchmark against which to assess performance in all other countries.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
individual differences. (For example, the smaller geographies and populations of SIDS suggest that
hosting, for instance, 15 projects might reflect a higher level of activity than what might be possible
for larger and more populated countries.) However, this methodology does not assess the financial
size of individual projects; small projects are given equal weight in comparison to large projects. This
approach also does not account for a country’s comparative geographic size, population, level of
development and other factors that may affect its level of adaptation activity. Therefore, these
contextual influences are discussed within individual country profiles and regional comparisons.
Countries and Regions Incorporated in the Review
The following criteria were considered to identify countries to be included in the Review of Current
and Planned Adaptation Action in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, and
determine their regional allocations:
 Inclusion only of non-Annex I Parties to UNFCCC;
 Allocation by region in accordance with the classification system used by the United Nations
Statistics Division (UNSD, 2010); and
 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development
Assistance Committee’s list of countries eligible to receive official development assistance in
2009 and 2010 (OECD, 2009).
Definition of “Communities of Practice”
Communities of practice traditionally have been defined as “groups of people who share a concern
or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly” (Wenger,
2006). These groups are usually defined by a shared domain of interest and relationships than enable
mutual learning. Broadly speaking, two different types of communities of practice with an interest in
adaptation to climate change may be identified as:
 Established communities of practice, usually defined by a sector or issue, which have begun
to integrate consideration of adaptation needs and priorities into their existing knowledge
sharing efforts (e.g., a community of foresters discussing methods of integrating projected
climate risk into their management planning); and
 New communities of practice established specifically due to a shared interest in adaptation to
climate change (e.g., community-based adaptation experts).
Of these two broad groupings, the review gives attention only to communities of practice, which
originated due to their shared interest in adaptation to climate change. This includes networks of
non-governmental organizations actively engaged in sharing information regarding climate change.
This focus reflects the greater challenge of identifying and assessing the degree to which the vast
array of traditional associations and networks have begun to integrate adaptation concerns into their
discussions.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Anticipated Reader
Finally, it should be noted that the review has been written in a manner that assumes that its readers
will have a basic understanding of adaptation to climate change. As such it does not provide
definitions of terms such as “National Communication” or “National Adaptation Programmes of
Action.” Nor are explanations of key concepts included, such as “adaptive capacity,”
“mainstreaming,” the relationship between climate change and development, or the challenges
associated with the implementation of adaptation actions at the policy and program levels.
3.0 Climate Projections
South America is a highly heterogeneous region in terms of climate, ranging from tropical, humid
Amazonia, to the Andean highlands, to semi-arid areas and deserts, to Patagonia and Antarctica. The
region’s climate is highly influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon.
Over the past decades, climate variability and extreme events such as heavy rainfall, hail storms,
floods and droughts—many related to the ENSO phenomenon—have been reported in various
areas of the region. Perhaps most dramatically, in 2004, an unprecedented hurricane formed in the
South Atlantic and hit north-eastern Brazil.
Important changes in precipitation and temperatures also have been observed. Rainfall has been
increasing in south-east Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentinean Pampas, but decreasing in
southern Chile, south-western Argentina and southern Peru. Temperatures increases of 0.5° to 1°C
have been observed in many areas.9 As a result of these trends, glaciers have retreated rapidly; some
Andean glaciers in the small ranges of Peru have lost up to 80 per cent of their surface over the past
few decades. At the same time, sea levels have risen by up to 2 to 3 millimeters per year in the region
(Magrin et al., 2007).
Climate projections indicate that further increases in temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns
will occur over the remainder of this century. According to Christensen et al. (2007), warming will
be similar to the global average10 in the southern half of South America, whereas it will likely be
above average for Amazonia (i.e., the northern half of the continent). Based on work presented in
the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Global
Circulation Models suggest that the Amazonia region will experience a mean annual warming of
3.3oC (within a range of 1.8o to 5.1°C) by 2080 to 2099. For Southern South America, the degree of
An exception has been along the western coast of southern Peru and Chile, where temperatures have been declining
somewhat (ECLAC, 2010).
10 Projections presented in Christensen et al. (2007) suggest that mean annual global temperatures will rise between 1.8 o
and 4.0oC by the period of 2090 to 2099 relative to temperatures in 1980 to 1999, based on upon use of the B1
emissions scenario compared to the A1F1 emissions scenario.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
warming is projected to be less, with a mean value of 2.5°C within a range of 1.7° to 3.9°C
(Christensen et al., 2007).11
More recently, results presented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC), suggest that warming in South America will range from 1° to 4°C based on use of a B212
(low emissions) scenario and from 2° to 6°C using the A2 (high emissions) scenario13 (ECLAC,
2010).14 Consistent with the IPCC’s projections, the Amazon is expected to warm more rapidly than
other areas; under the A2 scenario, temperatures could increase by 5°C as early as in the period 2041
to 2070, compared to a base period of 1961 to 1990. By the end of the century (the period of 2071
to 2100), warming could reach between 7°C and 10°C. The Andes are also expected to experience
above-average temperature rise. The trends are generally less pronounced for the Pacific coast of
Colombia and Ecuador as well as for the Southern parts of Argentina and Chile (ECLAC, 2010).
Results presented in South American countries’ National Communications to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are largely in line with these projections
with the exception of Peru; here, the expected rise in temperatures according to national studies is
significantly lower compared to the above results (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010).
Regional precipitation projections are much more uncertain, with different climate models showing
entirely opposite patterns; projections range from positive to negative for all sub-regions, seasons
and time horizons (Magrin et al., 2007). According to Christensen et al. (2007), annual mean
precipitation is projected to decrease on the Caribbean coast, large parts of northern Brazil, the
southern Andes, Chile and Patagonia. In contrast, precipitation increases are expected for Colombia,
Ecuador and Peru, around the equator and in the southeast of the continent.15 The projections16
presented in ECLAC (2010) are broadly comparable, under both the B2 (low emission) and A2 (high
emission) scenarios. They show a distinctive pattern of: decreasing rainfall in the north-eastern areas
of South America, in the southwest of Bolivia, and in the southern two thirds of Chile; and
increasing precipitation in all other areas—especially west of the Ecuadorian mainland and in
western Brazil.
This projection is based on averages generated by 21 global models in the multi-model data set for the A1B scenario (a
medium-high emissions scenario) and assessed in comparison to a base time period of 1980 to 1999 (Christensen et al.,
2007).
12 As per the IPCC’s 2001 Special Report on Emissions Scenarios, the B2 scenario assume some degree of emissions
mitigation through more efficient energy use and better-positioned solutions. The outcome of these processes would be
lower generation, and therefore concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions (ECLAC, 2010).
13 As per the IPCC’s 2001 Special Report on Emissions Scenarios, the A2 scenario assumes that there will be slower
economic growth, less globalization and a steadily high rate of population growth. The outcome of this scenario is the
generation of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations that far exceed current levels (ECLAC, 2010).
14 ECLAC’s results are based on information of the Brazilian National Institute on Space Research (Instituto Nacional
de Pesquisas Espaciais) and on the HadRM3P climate model.
15 Precipitation projections based on averages generated by 21 global models in the multi-model data set for the A1B
scenario (a medium-high emissions scenario) and assessed in comparison to a base time period of 1980 to 1999
(Christensen et al., 2007).
16 Note that these projections are based only on use of the HadRM3P model.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Annual mean projections can hide changes in seasonal cycles. In the Amazon basin, projections
suggest that rainfall may decrease between December and February, but increase between June and
August, whereas in other region the annual trend translates into similar seasonal trends (Christensen
et al., 2007). National Communications and other national-level studies tend to confirm the above
results. They also highlight the high levels of uncertainty around precipitation projections.
Projections also suggest that the frequency of extreme events in the region will increase (Magrin et
al. (2007). It is anticipated that heavy rainfall events in the tropical and southeast regions of South
America will increase (ECLAC, 2010), along with the number of consecutive dry days in most areas,
but particularly in eastern Brazil. However, as with precipitation, the uncertainty ranges for extreme
event projections are very large.
On the other hand, the rapid retreat of Andean inter-tropical glaciers is certain to continue, with
projections that these glaciers are very likely to disappear in the coming decades (Magrin et al.,
2007). Colombia expects to lose all its glaciers within this century (República de Colombia, 2001),
and Peru projects that glaciers less than 5,000 meters above sea level may disappear between 2015
and 2020 (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010). Sea level rise is also certain to continue. However, the
uncertainty range is large; applying a regional adjustment to the global projections by Meehl et al.
(2007),17 McSweeney et al. (2008) predict a 0.18 to 0.43 meter increase by the 2090s according to the
most optimistic scenarios and a 0.23 to 0.56 meter increase for the A2 (high emission) scenario.
The uncertainty associated with climate projections in South America, especially for precipitation
and extreme events, relates mainly to the inability of current Global Circulation Models to project
changes in hydrological cycles at regional scales (Magrin et al., 2007). Regional Climate Models, on
the other hand, have not been used extensively in South America as they are still being tested and
developed. Furthermore, even if the broad regional trends can be projected with some certainty, the
local climate may differ markedly from regional averages. This is especially true for mountain areas,
where changes in atmospheric circulation can induce large variability at the local scale (Christensen
et al., 2007).
Although large information gaps remain, a number of clear messages emerge from the state of the
art of climate projections for South America. First, there are clear warming trends everywhere.
Future warming is likely to be more rapid in the northern half of the continent. Glacier retreat and
sea level rise have also been observed and are certain to continue. Rainfall patterns are changing,
with potentially large increases and decreases over different areas of South America. Under existing
IPCC emissions scenarios present a range of sea level rise predictions, based on various emissions scenarios, and
resulting from thermal expansion of the oceans and land ice changes. On one end of the spectrum, under the B1
emissions scenario of the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (2001), global sea levels are expected to rise from
between 0.18 meters to 0.38 meters over the course of the century. On the opposite end of the spectrum, emissions
scenario A1F1 predicts a global sea level rise of between 0.25 meters and 0.6 meters over the same time period. There is
still a significant amount of uncertainty in these projections, as records on sea level rise remain relatively short and there
are uncertainties relating to the loss of land ice (Meehl et al., 2007).
17
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projections, the most likely scenario is that central and south-eastern parts as well as the northern
Pacific coasts will become wetter and the rest of the continent dryer. Extreme events may become
more frequent. The increasing uncertainty over future climate is an important issue for climate risk
reduction strategies, as it will require economies and societies to develop in a way that makes them
more resilient to various potential climate stresses.
The sensitivity of human and ecological systems to climatic changes translates into risks for lives and
livelihoods. South America is home to an impressive array of biological diversity, but many species
are very sensitive to changes in averages and extreme weather events. Water resources are affected
by changes in precipitation, increased evapotranspiration due to higher temperatures, sea level rise
and glacier retreat. Agriculture is a key economic sector for most South American countries, and
many crops are highly sensitive to increased temperatures and changes in rainfall. Coastal areas,
where large parts of the population and economic activities are located, are facing increasing sea
levels. And climate can be an important risk factor in diseases such as malaria and dengue fever; it
can also directly affect health problems such as heat stroke (Magrin et al., 2007).
4.0 Needs and Priorities within South America
South American countries have implicitly or explicitly identified their priority areas for climate
change adaptation through their National Communications to the UNFCCC as well as national
strategies, action plans, policies and mechanisms. As noted in Table 1, among the priority sectors
identified by countries, agriculture, sometimes explicitly linked to food security, is mentioned by all
countries. Water, coastal resources, biodiversity and forestry are priority areas for almost all
countries. Health and energy are also mentioned in many country documents. Further issues such as
urban systems, transport, housing, fisheries, semi-arid areas, waste management and disaster risk
management have been identified by some countries.
As well, through their National Communications and other strategic documents, governments often
identify non-sector-specific adaptation needs, including capacity building, awareness raising and
education campaigns, as well as the development of appropriate institutions and policies to support
the implementation of specific adaptation measures.
Resource-Dependent Economic Sectors: Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry
Despite its decreasing role in national economies, agriculture remains a key sector for most countries
of the region for a number of reasons. First, taking into account agriculture, livestock, fisheries and
forestry, as well as related services such as agro-industrial production, the sector represents a large
part of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for many countries; for instance, 32 per cent of GDP in
Argentina (República Argentina, 2007) and 33 per cent in Guyana (CCCCC, 2009). Second, the
sector is even more important in terms of exports for many countries. In Uruguay and Paraguay,
agricultural goods earn more than half of their annual foreign exchange (Secretaría de Ambiente,
2001; Uruguay, 2010). Brazil is the world’s main exporter of many agricultural products, including
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 1: Comparison of priority sectors for adaptation as identified by South American countries through their
National Communications and other strategic documents*
Agriculture
Water
& Food
Resources
Security
Biodiversity &
Forestry
Coastal
zones
Energy
Human
health
Other Priorities



Urban systems, transport

Human settlements, risk
management
Argentina



Bolivia



Brazil






Urban areas, semi-arid areas
Chile






Fishery
Colombia






Ecuador




Guyana




Paraguay

Peru




Suriname




Uruguay




Venezuela


Infrastructure

Waste

-


Services, transport


-


Integrated risk management,
economic sectors

Socio-economy
*Information in this table is mainly derived from: República Argentina (2007); Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo (2007); MCT
(2010).; CONAMA (2008); República de Colombia (2001); República de Colombia (2010); Ministerio del Ambiente (2000); Guyana
(2001); Guyana (2002); Secretaría de Ambiente (2001); Ministerio del Ambiente (2010); Perú (2001); Republic of Suriname (2005);
SNRCC (2010); República Bolivariana de Venezuela (2005).
sugarcane and beef (MCT, 2010), and Peru earns US$1.8 billion a year through agricultural exports
(Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010). Third, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry provide
employment and income for a large part of the South American population. In Peru, almost one
fourth of the economically active population works in this sector. In rural areas, this share is 65 per
cent (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010). Finally, agriculture, livestock and fisheries are essential for
food security, which is a major concern for many countries including Ecuador (Ministerio del
Ambiente, 2000) and Bolivia (MMAyA, 2009). Forests provide firewood and many ecosystems
services such as a good microclimate, water regulation and reduced soil erosion.
Agriculture is a priority sector for adaptation in all South American countries, and forestry and
ecosystems for most of them. Its importance is mainly due to the high sensitivity to climate
variability and change of these sectors. A range of crop simulations undertaken in the region suggest
that the effects of climate change on production will vary widely depending on the crop, region and
climate scenario. Positive impacts can be expected for certain crops and pastures in southern South
America, especially in the mid-term. In contrast, in tropical regions impacts generally appear to be
more negative, including certain dramatic reductions—such as the almost complete eradication of
maize in the Venezuelan Piedmont (Magrin et al., 2007).
National-level studies have been completed as well by several countries. Colombia, for instance,
expects lower coffee yields due to lack of rainfall. Woodlands too could suffer due to a lack of
precipitation, and desertification could increase (República de Colombia, 2010). In Peru, potato
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
yields could be reduced if temperatures are too high at night (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010).
Paraguay expects lower milk production as the optimal temperature range will be exceeded
(Secretaría de Ambiente, 2001). The vulnerability of resource-dependent sectors is compounded by
high levels of poverty, lack of education and know-how, and poor access to financial services (e.g.,
Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010).
South American governments have identified a wide range of priority adaptation measures to
address the vulnerabilities of their resource-dependent sectors. For agriculture and livestock,
proposed measures include: agro-climatic risk management systems and weather prediction;
agricultural research, hazard-resistant varieties, genetic modification and adaptation, and technology
transfer; water efficiency measures; increased and more efficient irrigation; silos and forage storage;
soil conservation and management, shelterbelts, shadow nets, agroforestry and integrated production
systems; land use planning and agro-ecological zoning; pest control; rural extension programs,
cooperative development and insurance mechanisms; and further vulnerability and impact studies.
For fisheries, the promotion of aquaculture, especially shrimp cultures, is recommended. Proposed
forestry adaptation measures include sustainable forest management; the establishment of ecological
corridors; monitoring systems; the introduction of resistant species; protective forest plantations;
integrated rural development in watersheds; and agroforestry.
Water and Energy
Water resources are considered an adaptation priority by almost all South American nations due to
its overarching importance for human life. Water is the crucial link between climate change and
many vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, hydroelectric power and human health. Many of the
observed and projected changes affect the availability and quality of water. Retreating glaciers in the
Andes, for instance, threaten the water supply of cities such as La Paz and Lima (MMAyA, 2009;
Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010). Since the 1970s, Peru’s glaciers have already declined by an
estimated 22 per cent, resulting in a 12 per cent reduction in freshwater supply in coastal zones
where 60 per cent of the population lives (Magrin et al., 2007). Peru projects that its water supply
will be further reduced by 6 per cent by 2030, except in the northern part of the country. Similarly,
Colombia is projected to face highly stressed water supply conditions between 2015 and 2025
(Magrin et al., 2007).
Water is also relevant for energy, as many countries in the region rely on hydropower for a large part
of their electricity supply (e.g. Schaeffer et al., 2008). Glacial retreat is anticipated to adversely affect
electricity generation by countries like Peru and Colombia. For instance, the Mantaro River in Peru
is considered to be among the most vulnerable to the impacts of glacial retreat. It generates 40 per
cent of Peru’s electricity supply, which is used to support 70 per cent of the country’s industries
(Magrin et al., 2007; and citations therein). Hydropower production is also vulnerable to extreme
changes in rainfall associated with ENSO events, which historically have adversely affected
generation capacity in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela (Magrin et
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al., 2007). Glacial melting translates not only to a reduction in water availability, but also to an
increased risk of landslides and floods due to a rise in glacial lakes (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010).
Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns affect agriculture and water supply for human
consumption across the continent. Human health can also be affected by the presence of too much
or too little water. The existing vulnerability, exemplified by millions of people without access to a
safe water supply, large populations in water-stressed watersheds and growing demand for water by
increasing populations (Magrin et al., 2007), translate into increasing climate hazards and serious
risks for lives and livelihoods. Without proper resource management, freshwater availability will
continue to encounter negative impacts from climate change, and the severity of these may increase
through time.
Many countries have identified adaptation priorities for the water sector. These include: integrated
watershed management (including mapping, planning and coordination); structural measures such as
water dams, storage, drainage, linkages between watersheds and artificial and rainwater recharge of
reservoirs; efficient irrigation; adjusted parameters for flood-prone infrastructure; water efficiency
and conservation measures; an early warning system for droughts and floods; aquifer monitoring
systems, land use planning, price and fiscal measures; and more studies. Many proposed measures
relate specifically to agriculture (e.g., identify and foster high-value per water use crops and
optimization of cultivation practices).
Some countries have also identified adaptation actions for the energy sector. They often include
general measures such as energy efficiency, energy demand management and promotion of
alternative energies. Several countries, including Chile (CONAMA, 2008) and Brazil (MCT, 2010)
need further vulnerability studies, especially for hydropower production. Argentina calls for better
grid interconnections with other countries and nuclear energy development (República Argentina,
2007).
Coastal Zones
All South American countries with access to the sea18 have implicitly or explicitly prioritized coastal
areas for adaptation action. Maritime coasts are vulnerable to sea level rise and related threats; this in
turn affects mangrove ecosystems and increases the vulnerability of food production systems such as
floodplain fisheries. Potential impacts include floods, erosion, salinization of drinking water
resources, and the destruction of farm land, terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Magrin et al., 2007).
Many countries have identified the specific vulnerabilities of their coastal areas in National
Communications and other important documents. In countries like Guyana, large parts of the
population and economic activity, especially agriculture, are concentrated in coastal areas (e.g.,
Guyana, 2002). In countries like Colombia and Uruguay, coastal erosion, sometimes further
worsened by droughts, threatens ecosystems and tourism (República de Colombia, 2010; Uruguay,
2010). Some of Colombia’s islands could lose up to 10 per cent of their surface by the end of the
18
The only landlocked countries in South America are Bolivia and Paraguay.
14
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
century (República de Colombia, 2010). In Chile’s Golfo de Arauco, small-scale fisheries are deemed
at risk from rising sea levels (CONAMA, 2008). Floods and salinity are increasing in the Rio de la
Plata estuary in the proximity of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires (República Argentina, 2007).
To address such vulnerabilities, countries have identified a wide range of adaptation needs,
including: vulnerability and impact studies; coastal asset inventories and monitoring; shore
protection, involving the establishment of buffer zones, dikes, dams, breakwaters, beach
nourishment procedures, as well as the climate-proofing of existing and planned infrastructure;
adjustment of water supply, sanitation and drainage systems for coastal cities and infrastructure;
mangrove protection, biological improvement and reforestation; adjustment in shrimp farming
systems; managed retreat from risky areas; and integrated coastal zone management.
Human Health
The impacts of climate change on human health are a priority concern in all except three South
American countries (Ecuador, Guyana and Venezuela). Many national strategic documents highlight
the increased spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and schistosomiasis as
one of the key consequences for health (e.g. República Argentina, 2007; Secretaría de Ambiente,
2001). Also of concern are: heat-related health issues such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular
problems and skin cancer; water-borne diseases and water scarcity (e.g., Republic of Suriname,
2005); and the impacts of extreme climate events (Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo, 2007).
In order to counter these threats, countries propose a range of health-related measures in their
National Communications and other key documents. Many of these are not climate-specific, such as:
epidemiological monitoring and control; disease projection systems; increased capacity to deal with
emerging and spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever; community health services;
sanitation measures; promotion of the use of mosquito nets; and malaria diagnosis and treatment
programs. Many governments also recommend further vulnerability assessments for both the
population and the health systems themselves as it appears that the links between climate and health
are still not very well understood. They also call for better inter-institutional collaboration—
particularly between health and risk management systems—in areas such as databases and
monitoring. Through these, it is expected that the climate-related risk factors can be reduced.
5.0 Assessment of Adaptation Action within South America
To help address their adaptation needs, South American countries have developed policy and
project-focused strategies and actions at the regional and national level; they are also participating in
activities with global reach.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
5.1
Regional Level Action
While few actions in South America involve all countries in the region, many adaptation projects and
programs bring together a number of countries. In fact, the majority of adaptation programming
underway in several South American countries is through shared initiatives that bring together Latin
American countries. However, when it comes to strategy and policy formation at the
intergovernmental level, there has so far been little collaboration between countries.
Regional policy actions
One prominent intergovernmental initiative involving all the Spanish- and Portuguese- speaking
countries of South America (i.e., all countries except Suriname and Guyana), is the Ibero-American
Network of Climate Change Offices (RIOCC), which was created in 2004 by the environment
ministers of each participating country. Other countries participating in RIOCC are: the Central
American states of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama; Mexico;
the Caribbean states of the Dominican Republic and Cuba; as well as Spain and Portugal. RIOCC
provides a regional platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building and the promotion of
regional adaptation projects. Spain has been coordinating the network and funds most of its
activities. RIOCC is recognized by the Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and
Adaptation to Climate Change (NWP) as an official partner organization (RIOCC, 2008).
In order to assist parties in improving their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability
and adaptation and to make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions, the “IberoAmerican Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change” (PIACC) was developed through RIOCC.
PIACC specifically aims to improve institutional frameworks; synergize with regional adaptation
initiatives and agencies; support climate research and systematic observation; promote the exchange
of knowledge, experiences, tools and methods for evaluating impacts, vulnerability and adaptation;
promote the development of adaptation projects in key sectors, with an emphasis on trans-border
and multi-sectoral activities; inform and communicate PIACC’s work; and elaborate assessment
reports on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. PIACC’s activities are aligned with the NWP
(RIOCC, 2008).
Through the framework of PIACC, Spain and other donors support a number of regional activities
such as capacity building workshops on climate scenarios as well as on the integration of adaptation
into development policies and projects, and research programs on coastal zones and forestry (see
Table 2). In addition, a cooperation agreement was signed with UN International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction in 2008 in order to promote the exchange of know-how and experiences
between disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change, and to integrate both issues within
regional and UNFCCC processes. Under this agreement, capacity building, institutional
strengthening, coordination and communication activities have been pursued in various RIOCC
countries.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
No regional climate change strategy exists to date, although the Andean Community (CAN)—which
currently counts Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as full members, and Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Paraguay and Uruguay as associated countries—has elaborated a scoping paper for such a strategy
(CAN, 2011). It highlights the high vulnerability of CAN member countries in the face of climatic
hazards such as El Niño, and the lack of response capacity due to high levels of poverty and low
human development indicators in many areas. As a particular threat, the paper mentions glacier
retreat and the consequential water scarcity for human consumption, agriculture, industry and
hydropower production (CAN, 2007). However, the paper does not propose a common action
framework or any strategic guidelines.
Project and program actions
Table 2 shows a large number of adaptation projects that are either currently underway or very
recently finalized, and that include at least two South American countries. There are sector-specific
projects for agriculture, freshwater supplies, human health, ecosystems/biodiversity and coastalmarine areas, as well as many cross-sectoral projects. Almost all the projects support research
and/or capacity building activities.
Sectoral activities include a range of agriculture projects looking at adaptation options for potatoes,
wheat and coffee, as well as at livelihoods and entire agricultural systems in certain regions. For
freshwater supplies, the identified regional activities look at two of the most important rivers of the
continent—the Amazon and the Rio de la Plata. Both watersheds cover a number of countries, and
require integrated and transnational management, especially in the face of climate change. The
projects aim at strengthening their respective institutions and propose new policies. The human
health projects are primarily studying health-related vulnerability and impacts, and providing
suggestions on adaptation options. The biodiversity and ecosystem-focused adaptation projects
focus on knowledge generation and sharing related to the tropical Andes and mountain forests. A
research project is also looking at impacts and adaptation in coastal-marine areas. The cross-sectoral
projects and programs often aim at building capacities at different levels. One project, “Design and
Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Andean Region,” funded by the
Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), aims at implementing specific actions to reduce the risks
associated with glacier retreat.
These projects are often stand-alone initiatives, although some are part of larger programs or
cooperation agreement. The European Commission, for instance, launched the EUROCLIMA
program to cooperate with all of Latin America on climate change. It co-financed the “Review of
the Economics of Climate Change in South America” project (see Table 2) and will support further
activities. As well, Spain funds the Regional Gateway for Technology Transfer and Climate Change
Action (REGATTA) initiative led by UNEP. It aims mainly to improve knowledge management and
information exchange throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, such as through the
establishment of regional centers of excellence on climate knowledge and technologies.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
The Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are participating in almost half of the
projects focused exclusively on South America. The Southern Cone countries of Argentina, Brazil
and Chile take part in four projects each, while Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela are each involved
in three projects. The Caribbean coast countries, Guyana and Suriname, participate in two regional
projects. With respect to participation in projects involving a full array of Latin American and
Caribbean countries, and global projects, all South American countries are engaged, with the
heaviest involvement seen in Colombia and Peru.
Whereas these ongoing activities cover a wide range of adaptation needs, they leave some important
thematic and geographic gaps. Agriculture has so far received the most attention, while priority
sectors such as coastal zones and the potential impacts of climate change on energy production,
particularly in the hydroelectric sector, have not been addressed as extensively. There are also still
relatively few water projects, considering the potentially significant impacts climate change could
have on this crucial resource. In health, the key concerns (i.e., vector-borne and water-borne diseases
as well as heat-related problems), have not been addressed through specific regional programs. This
may be due to a general lack of knowledge on the exact links between climate and health. There is
also a skewed regional distribution, with three countries—Colombia, Bolivia and Peru—receiving
the most attention. This may, however, be explained through higher vulnerability of these areas,
compared to the Southern Cone countries and language barriers inhibiting participation by nonSpanish speaking countries. Finally, there is in all areas a gap in terms of implementation of concrete
adaptation action, as many ongoing projects remain focused on research and capacity building.
Funding for the regional adaptation projects underway in South America is being provided by
several sources, but particularly by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Other funders
of multiple regional adaptation projects are the European Union, the Global Environment Facility
(GEF), Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Government of
Germany.
Over and above the regional projects previously discussed, five South American countries are the
sole regional participants in some ongoing global adaptation projects:
 Bolivia takes part in the following three prominent global adaptation projects:
o The World Bank’s “Pilot Program for Climate Resilience,” which aims at integrating
climate resilience into development planning; scale-up and leverage climate resilient
investment; as well as enable learning-by-doing and sharing of lessons at country,
regional and global levels;
o The “Community-based Adaptation Program” financed through the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and being implemented by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP); and
18
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America




o The “Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change Study”19 led by the World Bank that
aimed to provide decision makers in developing countries with guidance on the
evaluation of climate change risks and better design of adaptation strategies.
Colombia is taking part in the Spanish-funded “Integrating Climate Change Risks and
Opportunities into National Development” project that aims to improve the capacities of
UN staff and government stakeholders to integrate risks and opportunities of climate change
into national programming and development policies.
Guyana is participating in the following Caribbean and global projects:
o “Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change”20 project, which aims to build
capacities in risk identification, vulnerability reduction, and resource access; it also
promotes education and outreach as well as project management; and
o “Global Climate Change Alliance,” a project financed by the European Union that
supports projects focused on disaster risk reduction and integrating climate change
into poverty reduction efforts.
Peru is taking part in two further global initiatives:
o The UNDP “Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project” (CRM
TASP), which aims at increasing in-country capacities to manage current and future
climate risks and is being implemented in over 20 countries worldwide; and
o Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’s (GIZ) “Adaptation for
Smallholders to Climate Change” (AdapCC), which helps coffee and tea farmers of the
Cafédirect supply chain to deal with climate risks and impacts.
Suriname is participating in “CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Atlas: Phase 1,”21 a project
involving 15 countries from the Caribbean region focused on identifying the potential
consequences of climate change for sectors related to tourism and livelihoods.
Of course, the programming activities described in this review do not give a full account of
adaptation-relevant action in South America. First, a number of smaller-scale projects likely have
been overlooked due to more limited availability of information. Second, in many sectors there is a
large overlap between adaptation and development action, meaning that many initiatives that
contribute to increasing adaptive capacity, but are not labeled as discrete adaptation efforts, are not
identified. This includes initiatives related to sustainable agriculture, integrated watershed
management, improved access to health care services, and disaster risk reduction.
The number of regional adaptation projects in South America is expected to expand in the future.
One important identified initiative is the U.S. Department of State’s “Energy and Climate
Partnership for the Americas,” which is already taking action. In addition, the United States plans to
World Bank, http://climatechange.worldbank.org/content/economics-adaptation-climate-change-study-homepage
CCCCC, http://caribbeanclimate.bz/projects/projects.html
21 CARIBSAVE, http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5; and DFID,
http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634
19
20
19
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
implement a US$1.0 million adaptation program in Argentina, Chile and Peru.22 Programs such as
EUROCLIMA and REGATTA mentioned above are set to develop new activities. At the national
level, Peru is proposed as a participating country in the project “Up-scaling and Replicating
Successful Approaches to Adaptation at the Local Level” proposed to the SCCF; and Uruguay is
developing a project for submission to the Adaptation Fund Board. Without doubt additional
projects are in development but have not been identified here either because they are not yet specific
enough or because no written account has been accessed.
Table 2. Current adaptation actions in South America at the regional, Latin America and Caribbean and global levels
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
Project Details
Regional Initiatives only involving South American countries
Agriculture
1.
Climate Change in a
Living Landscape:
Vulnerability and
Adaptation in the
Eastern Cordillera Real
of Colombia, Ecuador
and Peru23
Climate Change and
Irrigated Agriculture:
Towards a better
understanding of
driving forces and
feedbacks between
decision makers and
biophysical
environments and their
2. impacts on hydrological
cycle and land use24
Improve regional coordination, maintain Colombia, Ecuador,
the integrity of natural ecosystems and
Peru
promote sustainable livelihoods through
targeted action that contribute to reduce
major conservation threats, including
climate change and the urgent need to
develop adaptation strategies.
Evaluate impacts of climate and land use Argentina, Chile
change on irrigated agriculture and
characterize feedbacks between
environment and adaptation decisions;
assess changes in water demands and
irrigation needs at the regional level in
response to changes in hydrometeorological conditions and land use;
analyze the vulnerability of water and
land use system; identify and evaluate
adaptation opportunities for decision
makers
Funder(s)
EU
Total Budget
Implementing WWF, national
Agency(s)
partners
Duration
?–2010
Project Type
Policy formation
and integration
Focus Area
Agriculture;
Ecosystem
conservation
Funder(s)
Inter-American
Institute for
Global Change
Research
Total Budget
Implementing Pontificia
Agency(s)
Universidad
Catolica de Chile;
Cornell
University;
Miami
Rosenstrel
School; INTA
Duration
2007–2011
Project Type
Policy formation
and integration
Focus Area
Freshwater
supply;
United States Department of State, http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/rpts/faststart/latinamerica/151649.htm
WWF, http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/colombia/?183441/Cordillera-Real-Oriental-un-paisaje-vivo
24 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_3.pdf
22
23
20
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
Project Details
Agriculture
Utilization of Potato
Genetic Diversity as
Tool to Adaptation to
Climate Change25
3.
Adaptation to Climate
Change of Wheat and
Potatoes Productive
Systems26
4.
5.
To contribute to the adaptation of potato Bolivia, Peru
production systems to the expected
impact of climate change, in order to
develop technological alternatives to
counteract the direct and potential
effects of climate change (drought- and
frost-tolerant varieties; high quality
seeds; tools for risk evaluation) and the
negative impacts on farmers and their
families; as well as develop a climate
change prevention and mitigation plan
suited to the particular conditions of
communities in the high Andes.
The objective of this program is to
Chile, Peru,
contribute to the improvement of the
Uruguay
adaptive capacity of the region through
an increase in the competitiveness of the
productive systems of potato and wheat
to climate change in South America.
Specifically, the project will support the
selection and development of genotypes
with increased tolerance to drought and
high temperatures. The project is being
led and implemented by local institutions.
Regional Program to
The project seeks to promote integrated Bolivia, Colombia,
Adaptation to Climate measures of adaptation to climate
Ecuador, Peru
Change in Andes Region change in the agricultural sector with the
countries members of the CAN. It will
strengthen national food security
strategies in the context of climate
change adaptation and institutions in the
agriculture sector.
Funder(s)
IADB, cofinancing
Total Budget
US$742,520
Implementing Fundación para
Agency(s)
la Promoción e
Investigación de
Productores
Andinos
Duration
2009–?
Project Type
Research; Policy
formation and
integration
Focus Area
Agriculture
Funder(s)
IADB
Total Budget
US$920,000
Implementing Instituto de
Agency(s)
Investigaciones
Agropecuarios
Duration
2010– ?
Project Type
Research;
Capacity
building
Focus Area
Agriculture
Funder(s)
German Federal
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ)
Total Budget
Implementing GIZ, CAN,
Agency(s)
government
ministries
Duration
2011–2016
Project Type
Policy formation
and integration;
Capacity
building
Focus Area
Agriculture
Freshwater supply
25
26
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1690
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1657
21
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
6.
Integrated and
Sustainable
Management of
Transboundary Water
Resources in the
Amazon River Basin
Considering Climate
Variability and Change 27
Sustainable
Management of the
Water Resources of the
la Plata Basin with
Respect to the Effects
of Climate Variability
and Change28
7.
Objectives
Participating
Countries
To strengthen, in a coordinated and
coherent manner, the institutional
framework for planning and executing
activities for the protection and
sustainable management of the water
resources of the Amazon River Basin,
endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region
based upon the protection and
integrated management of
transboundary water resources and
adaptation to climatic changes.
Bolivia, Brazil,
Funder(s)
Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Total Budget
Suriname,
Implementing
Venezuela
Agency(s)
To strengthen transboundary
Argentina, Bolivia,
cooperation among the riparian country Brazil, Paraguay,
governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay
Paraguay and Uruguay to ensure
management of shared water resources
of the Rio Plata in an integrated
sustainable manner, within the context of
climate variability and change, while
capitalizing on development
opportunities.
Project Details
GEF, cofinancing
US$51.5 million
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Organization,
OAS
Duration
2009–2014
Project Type
Capacity
building; Policy
formation and
integration
Focus Area
Watershed
management
Funder(s)
GEF,
governments
Total Budget
US$62.5 million
Implementing UNEP, OAS,
Agency(s)
National
Environmental
Ministries
Duration
2011–2015
Project Type
Capacity
building; Policy
formation and
integration
Focus Area
Watershed
management
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Colombia,
Paraguay
Funder(s)
IADB
Total Budget
US$1,202,000
Plus: Mexico
Duration
2010–?
Project Type
Knowledge
communication;
Research
Focus Area
Human health
Human health
Regional Instruments
for Adaptation to
Climate Change by the
Health Sector29
8.
The project aims to create mechanisms to
broaden knowledge of current and future
impacts of climate on health in the
population.
Implementing IADB
Agency(s)
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
29 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681
27
28
22
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
Project Details
“To provide tropical Andean countries
with a standard methodology for
estimating climate change risks for
biodiversity at local scales that can be
used to design adaptation measures
tailored to particular conditions. Case
studies will be conducted during three
years (2011–2013) on short- to mediumterm climate change trends, biodiversity
patterns and gradients and the
vulnerability of species and ecosystems to
climate and land use changes in two
cross-border areas: a) the Pacific slope of
the Northern Andes, in the border region
of Colombia and Ecuador; [and] (b) the
Amazonian slope of the Central Andes, in
the border region of Bolivia and Peru.”
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
Funder(s)
The objective of the project is to create a
regional system of public information on
climate change and its potential impact
on the biodiversity of the tropical Andes.
The aim of the project is to contribute in
the generation of public policies and the
insertion of biodiversity conservation into
the national climate change plans of
participant countries.
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
Biodiversity, Ecosystem conservation, Ecosystem restoration
Climate Change Impacts
on Biodiversity in the
Tropical Andes: Climate
risk, vulnerability and
decision making tools
for the planning of
conservation30
9.
Climate Change and
Biodiversity
Information in the
Tropical Andes
(Información de Cambio
Climático y
Biodiversidad para el
Fomento de Políticas
10. Públicas de
Conservación y
Adaptación en la
Región de los Andes
Tropicales)31
Potential Impact of
Climate Change in Latin
America and the
Caribbean Mountain
11.
Forest Ecosystems32
John D. and
Catherine T.
MacArthur
Foundation
Total Budget
Implementing IAI
Agency(s)
The objective of the project is to generate Regional (countries
knowledge and tools for sustainable
not specified)
management of Ibero-American
mountain forests to the potential impacts
of climate change, and it will create
international institutional networks that
will promote the use and continuing
improvement of those tools. This will
Duration
2011–2013
Project Type
Research
Focus Area
Biodiversity
Funder(s)
IADB; cofinancing
Total Budget
US$878,720
Implementing Centro
Agency(s)
Internacional
para la
Investigación del
Fenómeno de El
Niño
Duration
2011–?
Project Type
Policy formation
and integration;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Biodiversity; Civil
society
Funder(s)
IADB
Total Budget
US$738,770
Implementing CATIE
Agency(s)
Duration
2011–?
Project Type
Capacity
building;
IAI, http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=68
http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35427915
32 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=RG-T1837
30
31
23
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
include the cooperation necessary to
assure regional capacity growth in this
topic.
Project Details
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Ecosystem
conservation
Funder(s)
Inter-American
Institute for
Global Change
Research
Multi-sectoral
Coming Down the
Mountain:
Understanding the
vulnerability of Andean
communities to
hydroclimatologic
variability and global
33
12. environmental change
Design and
Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
the Andean Region
(PRAA Project)34
13.
Reducing Climate
14. Change Vulnerability
through Adaptation35
To identify and characterize
Argentina, Bolivia,
vulnerabilities of specific stakeholders to Chile
climate variability and climate-induced
water problems; evaluate policies and
capacities of water management
institutions to reduce the vulnerabilities
of stakeholders; and analyze results of
objectives 1 and 2 relative to regional
climate change scenarios and future
hydrological conditions.
Implement measures to meet the
Bolivia, Ecuador,
anticipated consequences of the
Peru, Venezuela
catastrophic glacier retreat induced by
climate change through design and
implementation of strategic pilot
adaptation measures to address key
impacts of glacier retreat, including:
management plans for potable water
systems in urban areas; promotion of less
water consuming management practices
in the agricultural sector; and measures
to increase the natural water storage
capacity of highland ecosystems.
The project seeks to extend the INE/ECC South America
adaptation work program throughout the (countries not
different sectors of the Bank. It will
specified)
Total Budget
Implementing University of
Agency(s)
Regina (Canada)
Duration
2007–2011
Project Type
Research;
Capacity
building
Focus Area
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Funder(s)
SCCF; cofinancing
Total Budget
US$28.7 million
Implementing World Bank with
Agency(s)
Government
ministries,
regional
organizations
Duration
2008–2012
Project Type
Capacity
building; Field
implementation
Focus Area
Freshwater
supply; Urban
areas;
Agriculture
Funder(s)
IADB
Total Budget
US$925,000
Implementing IADB
IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_4.pdf
ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/projects/regional-design-and-implementation-pilot-climate-changeadaptation-measures-andean-region; and
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/CARE_PRAA_Summary.pdf
35 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=RG-T1840
33
34
24
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
address the need to improve knowledge
in the area of climate change adaptation
in different countries.
Review of the
Economics of Climate
Change in South
America36
15.
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of
South America, develop mitigation and
adaptation policies and leverage financial
resources. In addition, this project
includes a component focused on the
impact of climate change in coastal
areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Project Details
Agency(s)
Duration
2010–?
Project Type
Research;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Multi-sectoral
Argentina, Bolivia, Funder(s)
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Total Budget
Uruguay,
Implementing
Venezuela
Agency(s)
IADB, UK,
Denmark, Spain,
EU, Germany
ECLAC
Duration
2008–2009
Project Type
Assessment;
Policy formation
and integration
Focus Area
Coastal zone
management;
Government
Participation by South American Countries in Projects that also include other Latin American and the Caribbean countries
Peace Corps Renewable Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,
Energy and Climate
among other things, increase municipal,
Change Initiative37
school and communities’ awareness and
knowledge of climate change (including
adaptation) and support community-led
projects, including on adaptation.
16.
Costa Rica,
Dominican
Republic, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Guyana, Honduras,
Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay,
Peru, Suriname
Climate Change
This project is part of the Ibero-American Most RIOCC
Vulnerability
Evaluation
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts, countries40
17.
of Coastal and Marine Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate including:
36
Funder(s)
U.S. Department
of State
Total Budget
Implementing U.S. Peace
Agency(s)
Corps, U.S.
Department of
State
Duration
ongoing
Project Type
Community
based
adaptation;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Energy
Funder(s)
Spain
Total Budget
Implementing ECLAC,
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35
37ECPA,
25
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Areas38
Mitigation and
Adaptation to Climate
Change in Sustainable
Forest Management in
Ibero-America41
18.
Climate Policy 2012:
extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
19.
Makers to Address
Climate Change”43
Objectives
Participating
Countries
Project Details
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine
the impacts of climate change on the
coasts of any country in Spanish and
Portuguese speaking countries of Latin
America and the Caribbean. It has a
particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs
and dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks
and coastal infrastructure. This initiative is
linked to the project “Economics of
Climate Change in Central America - Phase
II”39 funded by IADB, UK, Denmark, Spain,
EU and Germany.
Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
Agency(s)
University of
Cantabria,
national
counterparts
Duration
2009–2011
Project Type
Capacity
building;
Assessment;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Coastal zone
management
Part of PIACC, this project aims to
generate new information and
knowledge and strengthen the capacity
of research institutions in the forestry
sector on linking sustainable forest
management with adaptation and
mitigation to climate change. This
includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and
fostering the representation of the forest
sector in the regional and international
dialogue.
All RIOCC
countries42
including:
Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
Funder(s)
Spain
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin
America and the Caribbean has expanded
on the global project, “Capacity
Development for Policy Makers to
Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to
national policy makers and its Country
Offices and strengthen capacity on
Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Costa
Rica, Cuba,
Dominican
Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador,
Guatemala,
Total Budget
Implementing INIA, CIFOR,
Agency(s)
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Duration
2009–2011
Project Type
Capacity
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Forestry
Funder(s)
Spain, UNDP
Total Budget
US$3.6 million
Implementing UNDP
Agency(s)
Duration
2009–2011
Project Type
Capacity
building; Policy
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain,
Uruguay and Venezuela.
38 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
39 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
41 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
42 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain,
Uruguay and Venezuela.
43 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and
http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
40
26
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
EUROCLIMA: Climate
change regional
cooperation
programme44
20.
Understanding
Potential Impacts of
Climate Change in Latin
America and the
Caribbean45
Objectives
Participating
Countries
budgetary issues related to the post-2012
climate regime. Activities include
technical backstopping for countries that
begin to consider adaptation to climate
change in their National Development
Plans.
Honduras, Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay, Focus Area
Peru, Uruguay, and
Venezuela
formation and
integration
EUROCLIMA aims to provide Latin
American decision-makers and the
scientific community with better
knowledge of climate change and its
consequences, particularly in view of
integrating these issues into sustainable
development strategies. The expected
results are: enhanced policy dialogue on
climate change issues; better sharing of
data and scientific information; and
strengthened technical capacities.
Latin America
Funder(s)
EC
Total Budget
€5 million
The overall objective of this project is to
improve the ability of Latin American and
Caribbean countries to adapt to, and
cope with, the economic impacts of
climate change on development.
Latin America and
the Caribbean
(countries not
specified)
Build climate resilience of vulnerable
human and ecological systems in the
region by integrating adaptation options
into national planning processes and
building the associated capacity of key
regional and national institutions. The
project will: undertake impact and
vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating
adaptation into policy and plans; and
support adaptation planning and its
Government
Implementing National
Agency(s)
governments
21.
Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin
America and the
22. Caribbean
Project Details
Phase 1: 19 RIOCC
countries46
Phase 2: 3–5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country selected)
Duration
2010–2013
Project Type
Capacity
building;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Government
Funder(s)
ECLAC
Total Budget
Implementing ECLAC
Agency(s)
Duration
ongoing
Project Type
Capacity
building
Focus Area
Government;
Trade; Private
sector
Funder(s)
Spain
Total Budget
US$4,375,233
Implementing UNEP
Agency(s)
Duration
2010–2013
Project Type
Assessment;
Capacity
building; policy
formation and
integration
Further information available here: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/latin-america/regionalcooperation/euroclima/index_en.htm
45Further information available here: http://www.eclac.org/cgibin/getProd.asp?xml=/cooperacion/noticias/cooperacion/1/41221/P41221.xml&xsl=/cooperacion/tpl/p32f.xsl&base=/coo
peracion/tpl/top-bottom.xsl
46 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
44
27
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Participating
Countries
integration into national development
processes. It will focus on the most
vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Project Details
Focus Area
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Funder(s)
UNDP
Participation by South American countries in Global Projects
Territorial Approach to Improve the resilience to climate change
Climate Change
and reduce the carbon footprint in sub(TACC)47
national territories in developing and
transition countries through: (1) “Access
to up-to-date climate change science,
tolls and good practices; (2) creating a
partnership and governance framework
to address cross-sectoral nature of
23.
climate change; and (3) developing a
climate change and draft a climate
change strategy and action plan to ensure
a programmatic approach to climate
change”. The main activities include
capacity building in 500 sub-national
territories worldwide and implementing
plans in 50 of them.
Capacity Development
for Policy Makers:
Addressing climate
change in key sectors48
24.
25.
Preparedness for
Climate Change49
The project is a targeted capacity
development initiative that supports two
goals: 1. To increase national capacity to
co-ordinate Ministerial views for more
effective participation in the UNFCCC
process; and 2. To assess investment and
financial flows to address climate change
for selected key sectors. As a result of this
project, both the technical understanding
of key climate change issues and their
economic and policy implications within
the context of the Convention will be
enhanced.
Albania, Algeria,
Colombia, Nigeria,
Peru, Senegal,
Uganda, Uruguay
and others
Algeria,
Bangladesh,
Colombia, Costa
Rica, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador,
Gambia, Honduras,
Liberia, Namibia,
Nepal, Nicaragua,
Niger, Paraguay,
Peru, St. Lucia,
Togo,
Turkmenistan and
Uruguay
The aim of this program was for the Red 39 countries
Cross and Red Crescent National Societies
in countries particularly vulnerable to
South American
climate change to gain a better
participants in
Total Budget
Implementing UNEP; UNDP;
Agency(s)
UNITAR; UNHabitat; UNCDF
Duration
2009– ?
Project Type
Capacity
building;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Government
Funder(s)
United Nations
Foundation,
Finland,
Switzerland,
Norway, UNDP
Total Budget
US$7 million
Implementing UNDP
Agency(s)
Duration
2009–2011
Project Type
Capacity
building;
Knowledge
communication
Focus Area
Multi-sectoral
Funder(s)
Red Cross/Red
Crescent Climate
Centre
Total Budget
UNDP,
http://www.unep.org/roap/Activities/ClimateChange/TerritorialApproachtoClimateChangeTACC/tabid/6844/Defaul
t.aspx
48 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html
49 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme
47
28
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Health Vulnerability and
Climate Change
Adaptation
Assessments50
26.
5.2
Objectives
Participating
Countries
Project Details
understanding of climate change and its
impacts to identify country-specific
adaptation measures in line with risks.
Activities could include organizing a
workshop on risks, assessment of risks
through preparation of a background
document, capacity building programs,
and developing climate change resilient
plans.
Phase 1:
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Guyana
Implementing National Red
Agency(s)
Cross/Red
Crescent
Societies
To provide national level evidence of the
linkages between climate and health;
improve understanding of local and
specific health risks and vulnerabilities;
provide the opportunity for capacity
building; and serve as a baseline analysis
to monitor how health risks may be
influenced by a changing climate over
time.
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Cambodia, Costa
Rica,
Ghana,
India,
Kyrgyz Republic,
Macedonia,
Mongolia,
Russia,
Tunisia
Duration
Phase 1: 2006–
2009
Phase 2: ongoing
Project Type
Capacity
building; Policy
formation and
integration
Focus Area
Disaster risk
management
Funder(s)
WHO
Total Budget
Implementing National
Agency(s)
Ministries
Duration
2008–2010
Project Type
Assessment;
Capacity
building
Focus Area
Human health
National Level Action
Adaptation action is occurring in all South America countries at the policy as well as the program
and project levels.
Policy Actions
Over the last 15 years, South American nations have started to address climate change by preparing
National Communications in fulfillment of their obligations under the UNFCCC and by devising
national climate change action plans, policies and strategies, sometimes with an exclusive focus on
adaptation. There are, however, large differences between countries. Uruguay has already submitted
three National Communications, whereas six countries have only submitted one,51 including
advanced countries like Chile. Several countries have elaborated their own precise policies, plans and
programs, whereas others not only lack any high-level policy paper, but also hardly mention climate
impacts as a relevant factor in their national development plans and strategies. Overall, in terms of
WHO,
http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/en/index.html
51 These countries are Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
50
29
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 3: Comparison of adaptation action at the policy and program level in South America (as of May 2011)
Policy Action
1st National 2nd National 3rd National
Com.
Com.
Com.
Participation in Projects/Programs
National Adaptation
Strategy or Plan
Countryspecific/
National
Multicountry
Total
Argentina
1997
2007
Program (2006); strategy in
development
1
9
10
Bolivia
2000
2009
National Climate Change
Adaptation Mechanism
2
18
20
Brazil
2004
2010
Program, Plan, Policy exist
3
9
12
Chile
2000
National Climate Change
Action Plan
2
8
10
Colombia
2001
Only policy guidelines
5
15
20
Ecuador
2000
4
12
16
Guyana
2002
2
5
7
Paraguay
2001
0
7
7
Peru
2001
13
18
31
Suriname
2005
1
3
4
Uruguay
1997
2
9
11
Venezuela
2005
0
7
7
2010
Plan and policies exist;
strategy in development
2010
2004
Strategy (2003)
2010
National Plan (2010)
Note: Information contained in this table is based upon research completed as of May 2011. Additional project and programs, for example,
may be underway in each country. Full information regarding adaptation action in each country as of May 2011 is available in the Appendix
of this report.
development of National Communications, government policies, plans and programs, and in terms
of mainstreaming climate change adaptation into national development plans and strategies, some
clear frontrunners exist.
Among the most advanced countries in terms of policy action are Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and
Peru. They have all submitted two National Communications and relevant high-level policy
documents, such as: Bolivia’s National Climate Change Adaptation Mechanism (MNACC); Brazil’s
National Climate Change Program, Plan and Policy, each elaborated in different years; Colombia’s
Climate Change Policy Guidelines; and Peru’s Climate Change Strategy. Furthermore, all four
countries have clearly acknowledged the importance of climate change adaptation as a development
issue by mainstreaming it into their development plans and strategies. Bolivia’s National
Development Plan establishes policies related to adaptation to climate change under the natural
resources section. It calls for the development of a risk management and adaptation strategy for
vulnerable sectors (Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo, 2006). The MNACC has been
elaborated by the same government entity and is directly linked to the National Development Plan.
In Brazil, the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade oversees an inter-agency
committee on climate change and its climate change program was launched as part of the
government’s multi-year plan (MCT, 2004). Colombia’s National Development Plan (GOC, 2011)
30
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
mentions adaptation on several occasions: as a cross-cutting issue in the introduction; in the
innovation, agriculture and transport chapters; and most prominently in the chapter on
environmental sustainability and risk prevention. Adaptation is not only dealt with in a separate subchapter on climate change, but also in relation to biodiversity and urban development. Peru’s current
development strategy, the Plan Bicentenario, also recognized the threat of climate change in the
context of several of its strategic themes, including economic development and governance (Centro
Nacional de Planeamiento Nacional, 2009).
Most other countries do have good policy elements, but lack more solid evidence of adaptation
mainstreaming. Chile, for instance, has a detailed and instructive National Climate Change
Adaptation Plan (CONAMA, 2008), but climate change is not mentioned in the current government
plan and the country has only published one National Communication to date. Argentina has two,
and Uruguay three, National Communications as well as climate change programs, but no
recognition of climate change can be found in their development plans. Ecuador, on the other hand,
does recognize climate change as an important issue; it is one of seven strategic themes of its
development plan (República de Ecuador, 2009). However, this recognition is not yet substantiated
by any climate change policy or plan. Guyana is an interesting case, as its recent comprehensive lowcarbon development strategy (Guyana, 2010) deals with adaptation as one of eight priorities, and
sets out specific short-term projects as well as longer term priorities. Paraguay has few strategic
documents, but does mention climate risks as an obstacle to poverty alleviation and agricultural
development in its national development policy. It also proposes the development of climate risk
management strategies for agriculture (Paraguay, 2010). With only one National Communication
each, no strategic government documents, and no visible mainstreaming of climate change concerns
into government development plans, Venezuela and Suriname are the least advanced countries in
terms of adaptation policy.
There are no obvious links between a country’s size or development status and the extent of
mainstreaming of adaptation into development policy. The fact that the Southern Cone countries are
not among the frontrunners may be explained by the fact that they face relatively milder climate
change impacts and are also less affected by current climate hazards. On the other hand, the most
advanced countries in terms of mainstreaming are all in more affected areas, including the Andes
(glacier retreat) and Amazonia (higher temperature rise, drought, possibly even hurricanes).
However, this cannot fully explain the differences. There are notable differences between countries
that are similar in terms of climate, size and development status, such as Guyana and Suriname, or
Colombia and Venezuela. It is likely that political leadership, donor impact and other variables are
playing an important role in influencing engagement in adaptation action.
Projects and Programs
As with policy action, there are also large differences in the number of current adaptation projects
and programs that countries execute. Peru is the clear leader, as it is engaged in about 30 projects
identified through this review. In contrast, four identified projects are being implemented in
31
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Suriname and seven in Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Those countries with a high level
of policy action are also among those with more project-level activity. Note that the low number of
projects indicated as underway in Brazil in Table 3 is artificial; this is mainly because actions with no
external donor funding are not mentioned. Brazil is undertaking many self-driven and self-funded
actions. It is also observed that all countries participate in more regional or global projects than
national ones. This finding perhaps may be explained by the higher visibility of such projects and
therefore their greater likelihood of being identified through this review. Nevertheless, it
underscores the importance of regional initiatives in South America.
Of the national projects identified, several focus on agriculture and water. Coastal zones, ecosystems
and forests are also given attention. Most projects are multi-sectoral, with a good number addressing
water and agriculture needs in an integrated manner. No country-specific project with an exclusive
focus on human health or the potential impacts of climate change on energy has been identified.
Many others provide general, non-sector specific support to develop climate change agendas and
policies of national and sub-national governments. As with multi-country projects, most national
projects emphasize capacity building and policy research; relatively few focus primarily on the
implementation of concrete adaptation measures. Notable exceptions include the large Climate
Change Adaptation Program in Peru, which combines policy research with concrete action such as
increasing water storage and introducing new crop varieties. In Bolivia, a pilot adaptation project is
implementing small local water works with funding provided by the IADB. Another example is a
GEF-funded coastal zone management project in Uruguay.
Countries have thus begun to address their identified adaptation priorities, but there is still a huge
gap to fill between current action and needs. This is true for all areas, but some sectors have so far
been left completely unaddressed by some countries. Health, for instance, has not been tackled in
Bolivia, Colombia and Uruguay, among other countries, despite being an adaptation priority. The
same is true for the coastal zones in Chile, Colombia and Ecuador, among others. Ecosystems,
energy and risk management are also not addressed in several countries.
The most significant funder of country-specific adaptation programming in South American
countries is the IADB. Other key funders in the region include the GEF, the International
Development Research Centre, Oxfam, MDG Achievement Fund, UNDP and the World Bank.
Bilateral donors include the European Union, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
As well, the Special Climate Change Fund is financing country-level projects in Ecuador and
Guyana, and Ecuador has also secured financial support from the Adaptation Fund.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
5.3
Action by Communities of Practice
Countries in the South American region are participating in four networks that bring together
policy-makers, researchers and non-governmental organizations to build knowledge related to
climate change adaptation. As described in Table 4, these networks are:
 Program for Local Adaptation;
 Red Temática sobre Adaptación al Cambio Climático y el Rol de Servicios Ecosistématicos
en América Latina;
 Regional Policy Dialogue: Water and Climate Change Adaptation; and
 Latin American Platform on Climate
Other formal communities of practice working in the area of adaptation to climate change have not
been identified through this review, but are likely active in the region.
Table 4: Selected civil society organizations with strong involvement in adaptation practice in South America
Organization
Program for Local
Adaptation52
Geographic
Type of Action
scope
Argentina
Knowledge
communication
Founded by a private individual and now is supported by
Fundación Avina and the Organizaçión Panamericana de la
Salud, this social networking platform brings together
citizens and local government based on climate change
adaptation needs.
Red Temática sobre Latin
Adaptación al Cambio America
Climático y el Rol de
Servicios
Ecosistématicos en
América Latina
(Thematic Network
on Climate Change
Adaptation and
Ecosystem Services in
Latin America) or
ADAnet53
Knowledge
communication
Seeks to foment relationships between investigators and
specialists from different research centers, ministries,
institutions and non-governmental organizations. It aims to
promote discussion and the exchange of knowledge about
climate change and the role of ecosystems in Latin
America, and does this through face-to-face meetings,
courses, seminars and workshops.
Regional Policy
Dialogue: Water and
Climate Change
Adaptation
Knowledge
communication;
Advocacy
The network is a regional effort where civil society,
multilateral partners, the private sector and governments
collaborate in dialogue to share knowledge and lessons
learned on climate change and water.54 With a clear focus
on water issues related to climate change, it aims to raise
awareness among the public and decision-makers,
promote a united voice in global discussions, and exchange
experiences.
1.
2.
3.
Sector / area of work
Latin
America
and the
Caribbean
PLACC, http://www.placc.org/
ADAnet, http://www.adaptacionyecosistemas.net/
54 Dialogue partners include the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, Agencia Nacional de Aguas, Red
Centroamericana de Acción del Agua, Consejo Consultivo de Agua, The Nature Conservancy, UN-Habitat, Gobierno de
Sao Paulo, Comisión Nacional del Agua, the Global Water Partnership and Tecnológico de Monterrey,
52
53
33
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Organization
4.
Plataforma Climática
Latinoamericana
(PCL)55
(Latin American
Platform on Climate)
Geographic
Type of Action
scope
Latin
America
Knowledge
communication
Sector / area of work
PCL is a space for civil society, experts, community
members and policy makers engage in dialogue and
exchange ideas. PCL’s aim is to link and connect existing
Latin American efforts on climate change, raise awareness
and influence decision making on political, social and
environmental issues.
6.0 Conclusions
South American countries already face multiple climatic hazards such as heavy rainfall, hail storms,
floods and droughts, especially in relation with El Niño events. Climate simulations for the region
project a warmer future, especially in the northern half and in the Andes. This will increase the speed
of glacial retreat and sea level rise. Rainfall projections are more uncertain, but the potential ranges
include changes with possibly disastrous consequences. Extreme events may increase in frequency
and intensity, although these projections are even more uncertain.
Governments of all countries have identified vulnerable sectors and corresponding adaptation
priorities and needs. Almost all countries consider resource-dependent sectors such as agriculture,
fisheries and forestry as critical areas for adaptation. Other important sectors are: freshwater, and,
related to that, hydroelectric energy; coastal areas; and human health. Further issues such as urban
areas or infrastructure have been identified by individual countries. In documents such as National
Communications, climate change strategies and action plans, governments have identified, to varying
degrees, specific or more general adaptation needs within these sectors.
Countries have also developed policies and strategies to manage adaptation. On a regional level, the
Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices is assisting parties in improving their
understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and in making informed
decisions on practical adaptation actions. The Andean Community has produced a scoping paper on
climate change and plans to provide its members with a regional strategy.
On the national level, some countries have already gone a long way in assessing vulnerabilities and
identifying specific adaptation measures and mainstreaming adaptation into development plans. The
Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, as well as Brazil, have been leading the way, but
smaller countries like Guyana are making impressive progress too. Policy action often goes hand in
hand with a good number of current adaptation projects and programs. They are, however, unevenly
distributed across countries. Possible explanatory factors for these differences include higher
vulnerability and awareness, degree of political leadership, and relations with donors who support
adaptation initiatives.
55
LAPC, http://www.intercambioclimatico.com/en/
34
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
The agricultural and water sectors have received the most attention to date. Ecosystems, human
health, coastal zones and disaster risk management have been addressed to a lesser extent.
Adaptation needs in the energy and infrastructure sectors have not been dealt with in any specific
way so far. Many projects deal with several sectors at the same time, or provide general support,
such as to the development of the climate change agendas of national and regional governments. In
the current situation, most projects are still predominantly focusing on capacity building and/or
policy-related research. Implementation of concrete adaptation action is still the exception, although
a few notable initiatives have been launched recently in various countries and sectors.
Overall, the gap between needs and actions is still wide. Of all the priorities listed in the strategic
documents of the national governments of South American countries, only a small number have
been addressed so far. The gap is particularly wide in sectors such as human health, coastal areas,
ecosystems, hydroelectric energy and urban areas. But considering the breadth of needs and their
importance to long-term development, greater attention to freshwater resources and agriculture also
may be required. Also, the gender implications of climate change are only slightly addressed through
current policies and in targeted programming. Adaptation options could benefit from greater
attention to the specific situation of women, including their limited access to decision making and
credit (IFAD, 2000).
The large gap in adaptation action may, however, not only have to do with a limited amount of
projects and policies but also with a lack of detailed and rigorous prioritization of adaptation
options. So far, many National Communications and other strategic government documents do not
explicitly prioritize sectors and actions nor sufficiently detail the needed policy measures, but rather
present long lists of general activities such as integrated watershed management. There is a clear
need to identify more specific needs and to prioritize them rigorously based on sound and
transparent methods.
In addition, a more systematic approach to adaptation management would generally be helpful.
Many countries have completed vulnerability assessments, lists of priority actions and strategic
guidelines. However, few have managed to integrate them into one coherent strategy and action
plan, mainstream it into national development planning, and begin to execute actions according to
prioritized needs. Furthermore, given the scale of the problem and the relative scarcity of resources
to deal with multiple, integrated issues, more coordinated and targeted action could go a long way in
making South American countries more resilient to the risks associated with climate change.
Although a range of shared, regional projects are underway, including those focused on important
regional watersheds, intergovernmental action is presently limited. More formal collaborative efforts
through bodies such as CAN may be appropriate. As well, the level of informal collaboration
between practitioners through communities of practice appears to be limited, which may be limiting
the sharing of good practice and lessons learned between adaptation practitioners. Building new
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networks in response to needs expressed by these practitioners may also help South American
countries collectively become more resilient to the risks associated with climate change.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
References
Comunidad Andina [CAN] (2011). Agenda Ambiental Andina–Cambio Climático. Retrieved from
http://www.comunidadandina.org/desarrollo/cambio_climatico.htm
Comunidad Andina [CAN] (2007). ¿Y por dónde comenzamos? Prioridades de la Comunidad
Andina ante el Cambio Climático.
Centro Nacional de Planeamiento Nacional (2009). Lineamientos Estratégicos para el Desarrollo
Nacional 2010–2021.
Christensen, J.H. et al. (2007). Regional Climate Projections. In: Solomon, S. et al. (Eds). Climate
Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.
Comisión Nacional del Medio Ambiente [CONAMA] (2008). Plan de Acción Nacional de Cambio
Climático. 2008–2012.
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ECLAC] (2010). Economics of Climate
Change in Latin America and the Caribbean: Summary 2010. Santiago, Chile: United Nations.
Global Environment Facility (GEF) (2009). Global Environment Facility: Financing adaptation action.
Washington, D.C.: GEF. Retrieved from
http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/publication/adaptation-actions_0.pdf
Government of Colombia [GOC] (2011). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo. Retrieved from
http://www.dnp.gov.co/PortalWeb/PND/PND20102014.aspx
Guyana (2010): A Low-carbon Development Strategy. Transforming Guyana’s Economy While
Combating Climate Change, Third Draft, May 2010.
Guyana (2002). Guyana Initial National Communication in Response to its Commitments to the UNFCCC.
February 2002.
Guyana (2001). Guyana Climate Change Action Plan in Response to its Commitments to the UNFCCC. June
2001.
International Fund for Agriculture Development [IFAD] (2000). An IFAD Approach to Gender
Mainstreaming. U. Quintily S.p.A, Rome, Italy. Retrieved from
http://www.ifad.org/pub/gender/menglish.pdf
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Magrin, G., Gay García, C., Cruz Choque, D., Giménez, J.C., Moreno, A.R., Nagy, G.J., Nobre, C.,
and Villamizar, A. (2007). Latin America. In Parry, M.L., Canziani, O.F., Palutikof, J.P., van der
McGray, H., Hammill, A., and Bradley, A. (2007). Weathering the Storm: Options for Framing Adaptation
and Development. Washington, D.C.: World Resources Institute.
Linden, P.J. and Hanson, C.E. (Eds). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (pp.581-615). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Meehl, G.A. et al. (2007). Global Climate Projections. In Solomon, S. et al. (Eds). Climate Change
2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McGray, H., Hammill, A., and Bradley, A. (2007). Weathering the Storm: Options for Framing Adaptation
and Development. Washington, D.C.: World Resources Institute.
McSweeney, C., New, M. and Lizcano, G. (2008). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles. UNDP:
New York, USA.
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia [MCT] (2010). Brazil. Second National Communication of Brazil
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Brasilia: Secretaria de Políticas y
Programas de Investigación y Desarrollo
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia [MCT] (2004). Brazil’s initial communication to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Brasilia: Ministry of Science and Technology.
Ministério de Planificación y Desarrollo (2007). Mecanismo Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio
Climático. Bolivia
Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo (2006). Bolivia - Plan Nacional de Desarrollo.
Ministério del Ambiente (2000). Comunicación Nacional. República del Ecuador. Convencion Marco de las
Naciones Unidas. Cambio Climático. Lima: Consejo Nacional del Ambiente. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=3190#beg
Ministerio del Ambiente (2010). El Perú y el Cambio Climático. Segunda Comunicación Nacional del Perú
ante la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático 2010. Lima: Ministerio del
Ambiente. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=PER/COM/2%
20E#beg
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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] (2009). DAC List of ODA
Recipients: Effective for reporting on 2009 and 2010 flows. Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/32/40/43540882.pdf
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (2011, June 4). Development: Aid
increases, but with worrying trends. Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/document/29/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_47519517_1_1_1_1,00.html
Paraguay (2010). Paraguay Para Todos y Todas. Propuesta de Política Pública para el Desarrollo
Social 2010–2020.
Perú (2001). Comunicación Nacional del Perú a la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre
Cambio Climático.
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático [RIOCC] (2008). The Ibero-American
Network of Climate Change Offices (RIOCC). Contribution of a regional cooperative structure to
the objectives of the UNFCCC Nairobi Work Programme (NWP). RIOCC pledges to Support the
NWP.
República Argentina (2007). Comunicación Nacional de la República Argentina a la Convención
Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático.
República Bolivariana de Venezuela (2005). Primera Comunicación Nacional en Cambio Climático
de Venezuela.
República de Colombia (2010). Segunda Comunicación Nacional ante la Convención Marco de las
Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático.
República de Colombia (2001). Primera Comunicación Nacional ante la Convención Marco de las
Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático.
República del Ecuador (2009). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo. Plan Nacional Para el Buen Vivir. 2009–
2013.
Secretaría de Ambiente (2001). Primera Communicación Nacional a la Convención Marco sobre
Cambio Climático.
Sistema Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático y la Variabilidad [SNRCC] (2010). Plan
Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático. Diagnóstico y Lineamientos Estratégicos.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Stockholm Environment Institute [SEI] and United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP]
(2010). Bilateral Finance Institutions and Climate Change: A mapping of 2009 climate financial flows to developing
countries. Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/pdf/dtie/BilateralFinanceInstitutionsCC.pdf
United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2010a). Human Development Report 2010: The Real
Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development. New York: United Nations Development
Programme.
United Nations Statistics Division [UNSD] (2010). Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions,
geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings. Retrieved from
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm
Wenger, E. (2006). Communities of Practice: A brief introduction. Retrieved from
http://www.ewenger.com/theory/communities_of_practice_intro.htm
World Atlas (undated). South America. Retrieved from http://www.world-atlas.us/southamerica.htm
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Appendices: Country Profiles
The appendices to this report provide an overview of adaptation action in each of: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
To assess the level of adaptation action occurring in each of these countries, a desk-based review of internet sources and relevant
documentation was undertaken. The content of these sources was assessed in relation to a set of parameters established to focus the
review’s scope and ensure consistency across regions. Notably, it examines discrete adaptation actions, or policies, programs and projects
designed and implemented specifically to address the current and projected impacts of climate change. Therefore, the review presents only a portion of the
breadth of the efforts underway to reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate change. In particular, it
does not capture the broad array of development activities that are increasing the adaptive capacity of communities and countries. As
well, within the review, adaptation efforts have been deemed to be “current” if they were ongoing or completed in 2009 or later.
Therefore, the review does not include projects completed prior to 2009 that may have contributed to building local and national
capacity to adapt. The review also only identifies those actions currently underway; it does not offer judgment of the effectiveness of
actions taking place. In addition, reflecting the desk-based nature of the review, it is acknowledged that the content is biased toward
identification of large-scale projects funded by international development assistance organizations and those projects about which
information is available online. Therefore, small-scale projects that meet the review’s definition of adaptation action, particularly those
occurring at the community level, are not fully represented within the review. A fuller explanation of the methodology used to develop
the country profiles that follow is provided in the methodology section of this report.
To facilitate analysis of the degree to which current adaptation projects and programs identified through the review are helping to meet
the adaptation needs and priorities of developing countries, a common classification system was developed. This system examined
identified projects and programs from two perspectives—their sector or areas of focus and the types of activities they are supporting. A
fuller description of these two types of classifications is provided below.
Sector or Area of Focus
To support development of a general classification system for adaptation projects on the basis of their sector or area of focus, a review
of the categories used by the Adaptation Learning Mechanism, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Nairobi Work Programme was completed and used to guide development of a series of
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categories for characterizing activities included in this review. Based on this review and expert judgment, a set of 14 macro project
categories were identified: food, fiber and forests; ecosystems; freshwater resources; oceans and coastal areas; disaster risk management;
migration and security; gender; business; infrastructure and transportation; human settlements; human health; climate information
services; governance; and multi-sectoral. Where appropriate, these macro project categories were further refined through the
identification of various sub-categories. These sub-categories were then used to label the discrete adaptation projects included in the
review.
Definitions of the macro project categories used in the review along with descriptions of the types of projects included within their
individual sub-categories are presented below.
1. Food, Fiber and Forests – Defined as the management and use of terrestrial natural resources to directly improve human wellbeing. Its sub-categories are:
 Agriculture – Encompassing subsistence agriculture, commercial agriculture and the rearing of confined domestic animals.
 Pastoralism – Encompassing the use of domestic animals as a primary means for obtaining resources from habitats (UNEP,
2007), particularly in nomadic and semi-nomadic communities.
 Forestry – Encompassing afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, commercial forestry, community-based forest management
and woodland management.
 Fire management – encompassing monitoring, planning and management to address the impact of fires on settlements and
ecosystems, including forested and grassland ecosystems.
2. Ecosystems – Defined as a system of living organisms interacting together and with their physical environment, the boundaries of
which may range from very small spatial scales to, ultimately, the entire Earth (IPCC, 2007). Its sub-categories are:
 Biodiversity – Encompassing activities related to the maintenance of living organisms at various spatial scales, including the
establishment and protection of parks and bio-reserves.
 Ecosystem conservation – Encompassing efforts to maintain the health of particular ecosystems, such as wetlands, grasslands, forests,
mangroves and coral reefs.
 Ecosystem restoration – Encompassing efforts to restore the health of particular ecosystems, such as wetlands, grasslands, forests,
mangroves and coral reefs.
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3. Freshwater Resources – Defined as the management and use of freshwater contained in terrestrial ponds, lakes, rivers, watersheds,
among others. Its sub-categories are:
 Freshwater fisheries – Encompasses the catching, packing and selling of fish and shellfish derived from lakes, rivers and ponds, as
well as through freshwater aquaculture.
 Watershed management – Encompassing management of the basins that supply water to different streams, rivers, lakes and
reservoirs, including integrated watershed management.
 Freshwater supply – Encompassing efforts to access and preserve freshwater for human consumption and use including drinking
water sources, groundwater resources, rainwater harvesting and water infrastructure such as wells, dams and dikes.
4. Oceans and Coastal Areas – Defined as the management and use of coastal areas and oceans. Its sub-categories are:
 Coastal zone management – Encompassing the management of land and water resources in coastal areas, including through
integrated coastal zone management and the establishment and maintenance of coastal infrastructure.
 Marine management – Encompassing the management and use of off-shore ocean and sea resources.
 Marine fisheries – Encompassing the catching, packing and selling of fish, shellfish and other aquatic resources found in the
oceans and seas, including through marine and coastal aquaculture.
5. Disaster Risk Management – Defined as the “systematic process of using administrative directives, organizations, and operational
skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of
hazards and the possibility of disaster” (UNISDR, 2009, pp. 10). It includes emergency response measures, preparation for extreme
events and early warning systems. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.
6. Migration and Security – Defined as efforts to support the movement of people and maintain their personal security in the face of
incremental climate changes or climate shocks.
 Migration – Encompassing preparations for and responses to the potential movement of people from one location to another
due to climate change impacts.
 Security – Relates to personal security and freedom from violence, crime and war due to natural and human-induced disasters
(UNEP, 2007) and encompasses peace building, conflict reduction and conflict avoidance activities.
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7. Gender – Defined as the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between
women and men, and girls and boys, as well as the relations between women and those between men. These attributes,
opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes (UN Women, undated). It
includes efforts to understand the vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change, gender-sensitive adaptation strategies,
and measures to improve the situation of women at the local and policy level, including through gender mainstreaming. No subcategories were established in relation to this macro project category.
8. Business – Defined as the purchase and sale of goods and services with the objective of earning a profit. Its sub-categories are:
 Tourism – Encompassing the adjustment and development of tourist facilities and operations to account for current and future
vulnerabilities, including these actions in relation to ecotourism.
 Private sector – Encompassing potential impact of climate change and potential adaptation strategies on the diverse activities
underway in the portion of the economy in which goods and services are produced by individuals and companies including
industry, mining and other economic sectors.
 Trade – Encompassing the exchange of goods and services within and between countries.
 Insurance – Encompassing the development, testing and adjusting of insurance and risk-management schemes, including weatherbased index systems.
9. Infrastructure – Defined as the basic equipment, utilities, productive enterprises, installations, institutions and services essential for
the development, operation and growth of an organization, city or nation (IPCC, 2001). Its sub-categories are:
 Energy – Encompassing energy-related systems and infrastructure, including small-scale and large-scale energy generation
through hydroelectric power generation, wind, solar and other forms of traditional and new energy sources, as well as
transmission networks.
 Transportation – Encompassing the components of the system required to move people and goods, including roads, bridges,
railway lines, shipping corridors and ports.
 Waste management – Encompassing sanitation, sewage systems, drainage systems and landfills.
 Buildings – Encompassing actions related to built structures such as houses, schools and offices, including changes to building
codes, building practices and green ways of construction.
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10. Human Settlements – Defined as a place or area occupied by settlers (IPCC, 2001). Its sub-categories are:
 Peri-urban areas – Encompassing the outskirts of urban centers, and the transition zone between rural and urban areas.
 Urban areas – Encompassing municipalities, towns and cities, as well as areas in these centers (such as slums).
 Rural areas – Encompassing villages and other small settlements, as well as rural landscapes and integrated rural development.
11. Human Health – Defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity (WHO, undated). It includes efforts to assess vulnerabilities to and the impacts of climate change on human health directly
and indirectly, and the development and implementation of appropriate adaptation strategies at the local, regional and national
levels. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.
12. Climate Information Services – Defined as the production and delivery of authoritative, timely and usable information about
climate change, climate variability, climate trends and impacts to different users at the local, sub-national, national, regional and
global levels.56 It includes efforts to develop, adjust and provide short- and long-term climate forecasts, including climate change
projections, to different audiences. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.
13. Governance – Defined as the institutions (laws, property rights systems and forms of social organization) through which societies
define and exercise control over resources.57 Its sub-categories are:
 Government – Encompassing efforts to build the capacity of government officials, either at the national or sub-national level, to
prepare for and facilitate adaptation to climate change, including through the development of policies, plans, frameworks and
strategies, as well as the establishment and operation of climate change trust funds.
 Civil society – Encompassing efforts to build the capacity of the public including non-governmental organizations, to understand,
prepare for and respond to climate change.
14. Multi-sectoral – Defined as actions that simultaneously address more than one sector in one and/or multiple locations. It includes
efforts that address more than one sector, which are challenging to tease apart, and in the context of this review includes large,
multi-country projects in which the specific sector of focus is nationally determined and, therefore, varies from country to country.
No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.
56
57
Derived from: http://www.joss.ucar.edu/cscc/climate-service-definition-condensed.pdf
Derived from UNEP, 2007.
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Types of Activities
The following categories were used to organize the types of activities being completed as part of current adaptation projects and
programs identified through the review:
 Research – Encompassing efforts to develop new knowledge and/or organize existing information so as to increase
understanding of the links between climate change, human society and ecosystems and inform adaptation decision-making.
 Assessment – Encompassing risk, impact and vulnerability assessments, as well as monitoring of ecological and societal trends.
 Capacity building – Encompassing the provision of technical training, technical assistance, institutional strengthening and
education.
 Knowledge communication – Encompassing efforts to share information, knowledge and practices related to climate change
adaptation, including awareness raising and engagement of media.
 Policy formation and integration – Encompassing efforts to inform, develop and implement climate change adaptation plans,
strategies, frameworks and policies at the local, sub-national, national and international levels.
 Field implementation – Encompassing physical measures to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, including the
implementation of pilot projects, construction of infrastructure, development and modification of technologies and the
management of physical resources.
 Community-based adaptation – Encompassing actions that directly engage community members in efforts to understand, plan
for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
References:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] (2001). Annex B. Glossary of Terms. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability. Retrieved from: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/glossary/tar-ipcc-terms-en.pdf
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women [UN Women] (undated). Gender Mainstreaming:
Concepts and definitions. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/conceptsandefinitions.htm
United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] (2007). Glossary. Global Environment Outlook 4. Retrieved from:
http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/report/Glossary.pdf
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction [UNISDR] (2009). 2009 UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Geneva: UNISDR. Retrieved from: http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf
World Health Organization [WHO] (undated). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from:
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1.0
Argentina
CATIE
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
CIFOR
Center for International Forestry Research
CNACC
Comisión Nacional Asesora sobre el Cambio Climático (National Consulting Commission on Climate Change)
DCC
Dirección de Cambio Climático (Climate Change Directorate)
ECLAC
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ECPA
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
ENSO
El Niño Southern Oscillation
FONTAGRO El Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology)
INIA
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
INTA
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (National Institute of Agricultural Technology)
OAS
Organization of American States
RIOCC
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
SAyDS
Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable (Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development)
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Argentina’s climate is mostly temperate, but ranges from subtropical in the north to arid and cold in the far south. It presently has a high
level of inter-annual climate variability due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño conditions bring above average
rainfall that can lead to floods, whereas La Niña brings drier conditions (República Argentina, 2007). The country’s climate is projected
to become warmer in the coming decades. Mean annual temperatures are expected to increase by up to 4°C in some regions of the
country by the 2080s, but large differences exist between regions. Southern Argentina is generally expected to warm much slower than
the North. Projections for changes in rainfall patterns are largely unclear except for the Andes, where they are clearly negative
(República Argentina, 2007).
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Argentina’s First National Communication (República Argentina, 1997) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) presents vulnerability assessments for ecosystems, agriculture, coasts, water, energy and health, as well as for the
region of Cuyo. In its Second National Communication (República Argentina, 2007), Argentina identifies adaptation needs for the
following sectors or regions: freshwater resources, urban systems, agriculture, energy, roads and railroads, the Maritime and River Plate
Coasts, natural systems, human health, oases in the region of Cuyo, and regions of Patagonia and Comahue. In relation to these sectors
and regions, the Second National Communication identifies the following adaptation needs (República Argentina, 2007):
 Water: Strengthen watershed governance; deepen waterways in the Paraná River; reevaluate hydroelectric potential; floodprotection dams; urban-environmental land use planning; hydrological warning systems; flood emergency plans and systems;
redefine design parameters for infrastructure; and adjust existing infrastructure.
 Urban Systems: Relocation programs; improve norms on high-risk areas; assess the water balance in vulnerable areas; improve
drainage; adjust building designs to a warmer climate; and improve urban planning so as to facilitate green space development
and air movements.
 Agriculture: Improve weather prediction systems; establish forage storage systems; substitute winter through summer crops;
tighten control systems against forest fires; genetic adaptation; and increase irrigation systems.
 Energy: Energy demand management; energy efficiency measures; cogeneration; public transport; grid interconnections with
other countries; long-term nuclear energy generation planning; and renewable energy development.
 Roads and Railroads: Take climate risk into account in the design of infrastructure, including in network design, taking into
account changing agricultural production and thereby changing transport routes.
 Maritime and River Plate Coasts: Coastal zone planning, such as defining retreat and protection zones.
 Natural systems: Establish protected areas along biological corridors, and study ecosystems impacts of climate change.
 Health: Epidemic monitoring and control; centralize statistics on infectious diseases; and programs to respond to sources of
infection.
 Oases of the Cuyo region (Andes): Better regulation of subterranean water resources; modernize irrigation systems; change to crops
that need less irrigation and add more value; and increase reservoir space.
 Patagonia and Comahue regions: Commission impact studies for key sectors such as tourism.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
As noted, Argentina has published two National Communications to the UNFCCC, the first in 1997 and the second in 2007. Between
these reports, it created a National Program on Climate Change Impacts in 2006 with a view to improve understanding of vulnerability
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and impacts and to help design adaptation measures. An additional program is addressing the same questions in the Antarctic region and
islands (República Argentina, 2007).
Argentina doesn’t have a National Development Plan per se, but its development is guided by a set of strategic national policies (see
Presidencia de la Nacion Argentina, 2011). Climate change, but not adaptation in particular, is mentioned in these policies in relation to
its environment. More directly, a National Climate Change Strategy is currently being elaborated through a participatory process that will
address both climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development (SAyDS) is the UNFCCC focal point. It operates on climate change
issues through its Climate Change Directorate (DCC). Furthermore, there is a National Consulting Commission on Climate Change
(CNACC) that brings together representatives of various ministries at the national level, regional governments, universities and private
sector.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
1.
First National Communication to
the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
Government of
Argentina
Published in 1997 Multi-sectoral
The initial National communication presents short
vulnerability assessments for a range of sectors, but without
consideration of adaptation itself.
2.
National Program on Climate
Change Impacts
Secretariat for
Environment and
Sustainable
Development
Created in 2006
Multi-sectoral
The program is meant to study impacts and vulnerability,
elaborate adaptation strategies and relate those with existing
government programs in other areas. It is also to develop a
national policy on climate change.
3.
Second National Communication
to the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
Secretariat for
Environment and
Sustainable
Development
Published in
2007
Multi-sectoral
This document describes adaptation needs for a wide range
of sectors as well as ongoing adaptation activities, barriers
and challenges, and identifies technical and financial needs
for adaptation.
4.
National Climate Change Strategy Secretariat for
Environment and
Sustainable
Development
In development
Multi-sectoral
The strategy is currently in development and will deal with
both adaptation and mitigation. In relation to adaptation, the
strategy’s objective is to identify, promote and implement
adaptation measures.
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C. Current Adaptation Action
Argentina currently is participating in a relatively low number of discrete adaptation projects, several of which have a large policy
research component. Thematically, they deal with agriculture, freshwater, coastal zones and disaster risk management, as well as with
macroeconomic impacts in general. Only one country-specific adaptation project was identified through the review, “Provincial
Agricultural Services III-PROSAP III,” financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Unlikely the majority of projects
underway in Argentina, this project involves implementation of specific agriculture-related adaptation measures at the community level.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Argentina
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Finance 20 provincial projects for agricultural
and rural development, among other things
in food and agricultural services (technology
development and climate change
adaptation, agricultural health and food
safety, commercial development, land titling
and regularization in rural areas, information
technologies and communications,
bioenergy development)
IADB
Programa De
Servicios
Agricolas
Provinciales
Field
2010–?
implementati
on
National Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Societies
Capacity
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Agriculture
Provincial
areas
National Action
1.
Provincial Agricultural
Services III-PROSAP III58
Budget:
US$250
million (loan)
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
2.
58
59
Preparedness for Climate
Change59
The aim of this program was for the Red
Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in
countries particularly vulnerable to climate
change to gain a better understanding of
climate change and its impacts to identify
country-specific adaptation measures in line
with risks. Activities could include organizing
a workshop on risks, assessment of risks
through preparation of a background
document, capacity building programs, and
Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Climate
Centre
Phase 1:
Disaster risk Global
2006–2009 management project:
Phase 2:
39 countries
ongoing
South
American
participants in
Phase 1:
Argentina
Bolivia
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=AR-L1120
IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme
51
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
developing climate change resilient plans.
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia
Guyana
In Argentina: Completed all four steps of the program.60
3.
4.
5.
Climate Change and
Irrigated Agriculture:
Towards a better
understanding of driving
forces and feedbacks
between decision makers
and biophysical
environments and their
impacts on hydrological
cycle and land use61
Evaluate impacts of climate and land use
change on irrigated agriculture and
characterize feedbacks between
environment and adaptation decisions;
assess changes in water demands and
irrigation needs at the regional level in
response to changes in hydro-meteorological
conditions and land use; analyze the
vulnerability of water and land use system;
identify and evaluate adaptation
opportunities for decision makers
InterAmerican
Institute for
Global
Change
Research
Coming Down the
Mountain: Understanding
the vulnerability of Andean
communities to
hydroclimatologic variability
and global environmental
change62
To identify and characterize vulnerabilities of
specific stakeholders to climate variability
and climate-induced water problems;
evaluate policies and capacities of water
management institutions to reduce the
vulnerabilities of stakeholders; and analyze
results of objectives 1 and 2 relative to
regional climate change scenarios and future
hydrological conditions.
InterUniversity of
American
Regina
Institute for (Canada)
Global
Change
Research
Review of the Economics of The purpose of the study is to make a
Climate Change in South
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
America63
climate change in selected countries of
South America, develop mitigation and
Pontificia
Universidad
Catolica de
Chile; Cornell
University;
Miami
Rosenstrel
Budget: US$7 School; INTA
million
Policy
2007–2011
formation and
implementati
on
Freshwater
supply;
Agriculture
Regional:
Argentina,
Chile
In Argentina: Research in Argentina takes place in the Mendoza River Basin.
Research;
Capacity
building
2007–2011
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile
In Argentina: Research in Argentina takes place in the Mendoza River Basin.
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone Regional:
Policy
management Argentina,
formation and
; Government Bolivia, Brazil,
integration
Chile,
IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/downloads/File/programs/Final%20PFCC%20General%20Assembly%20Document%20with%20renewed%20table.pdf
IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_3.pdf
62 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_4.pdf
63 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
60
61
52
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
adaptation policies and leverage financial
resources. In addition, this project includes a
component focused on the impact of climate
change in coastal areas–C3A (Cambio
Climatico en las Coastas de America Latina y
Caribe).
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Argentina: Further information required.
6.
Climate Change
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
ECLAC,
Capacity
2009–2011
Vulnerability Evaluation of Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
University of
building;
Coastal and Marine Areas64 Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Cantabria,
Assessment;
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
national
Knowledge
impacts of climate change on the coasts of
counterparts communicatio
any country in Spanish and Portuguese
n
speaking countries of Latin America and the
Caribbean. It has a particular focus on the
dynamics of beaches, estuaries, lagoons,
deltas, cliffs and dunes, coastal erosion,
flood risks and coastal infrastructure. This
In Argentina: Further information required.
initiative is linked to the project “Economics
of Climate Change in Central America - Phase
II”65 funded by IADB, UK, Denmark, Spain,
EU and Germany.
Coastal zone Most RIOCC
management countries66
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
7.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica67
Forestry
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
66 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
67 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
64
65
53
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and
fostering the representation of the forest
sector in the regional and international
dialogue.
In Argentina: Further information required.
8.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”68
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the
global project, “Capacity Development for
Policy Makers to Address Climate Change” in
the LAC region to provide technical support
to national policy makers and its Country
Offices and strengthen capacity on
budgetary issues related to the post-2012
climate regime. Activities include technical
backstopping for countries that begin to
consider adaptation to climate change in
their National Development Plans.
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Argentina: Further information required.69
9.
68
69
Integrating Climate Change Build climate resilience of vulnerable human Spain
Adaptation into National
and ecological systems in the region by
UNEP
Assessment;
Capacity
2010–2013
Government; LAC Region:
Agriculture; Phase 1: 19
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/argentina-en.aspx
54
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Development Processes in
Latin America and the
Caribbean
10. Sustainable Management of
the Water Resources of the
la Plata Basin with Respect
to the Effects of Climate
Variability and Change71
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
integrating adaptation options into national Budget:
building;
planning processes and building the
US$4,375,233
policy
associated capacity of key regional and
formation and
national institutions. The project will:
integration
undertake impact and vulnerability
assessments; identify good practices and
gaps in integrating adaptation into policy
and plans; and support adaptation planning
and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the In Argentina: Further information required.
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Freshwater
supply
RIOCC
countries70
To strengthen transboundary cooperation
among the riparian country governments of
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay to ensure management of shared
water resources of the River Plate in an
integrated sustainable manner, within the
context of climate variability and change,
while capitalizing on development
opportunities.
Watershed
Regional:
management Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Paraguay and
Uruguay
GEF, national UNEP, OAS,
governments National
environmental
Budget:
ministries
US$62.5
million
Duration
Capacity
2011–2015
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Argentina: The project involves environmental and coastal protection programs in
several rivers belonging to the River Plate Basin.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
A limited number of planned adaptation projects expected to be implemented in Argentina have been identified through this review.
They include a pledge by the United States to invest around US$1million on adaptation in Argentina, Peru and Chile through the
“Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas” (ECPA). As well, Argentina’s project “Increasing Climate Resilience and Enhancing
Sustainable Land Management in the Southwest of the Buenos Aires Province,” was endorsed by the Adaptation Fund Board at its June
2011 meeting.
The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
71 IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
70
55
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Argentina
Name
1.
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Energy and Climate
Partnership of the Americas
Geographic focus
(if any)
Regional:
Argentina, Chile, Peru
Notes: Announced as part of the United States’ Fast Start Financing, this
initiative will provide approximately $1 million for adaptation to climate
change. No further details are known.
2. Impacts of Climate Change in
Agricultural Zones and
Relevant Sectors in Chile
Argentina and Dominican
Republic: Economy,
production, water
requirements, adaptation
and policy orientation
Contribute to the competitiveness and food security of Policy formation and
Agriculture
LAC Region:
the agricultural sector in Argentina, Chile and Dominican integration
Argentina, Chile,
Republic through new knowledge generated by the
Dominican Republic
simulation and evaluation of economic and productive
Notes: Call for bids issued in 2010 (FONTAGRO, 2010)
impacts of climate change, proposition of adaptation
measures by sector and resulting policy
recommendations and support strategies.
3. Increasing Climate Resilience
and Enhancing Sustainable
Land Management in the
Southwest of the Buenos
Aires Province72
“The main project objective is to reduce climate
vulnerability of the agriculture sector in the Southwest
of the Province of Buenos Aires suffering from manmade and increasingly climate change induced
desertification processes. Climate resilience and
sustainable land management of affected
agroecosystems will be enhanced through pilot
adaptation measures focusing on water, crops and
livestock management.”73 Planned components will
implement measures that reduce the vulnerability of
institutions and communities, including taking concrete
measures related to water resource management, crop
management, and livestock and pasture management.
72
73
Implementation
Sustainable land
management
Southwest of the Buenos
Aires Province
Notes: Project endorsed by the Adaptation Fund Board in June 2011.
Planned Implementing Agency: World Bank
Requested budget: US$4,311,703
Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/document/1313-increasing-climate-resilience-and-enhancing-sustainable-land-management-southwest-buen
From: http://www.adaptation-fund.org/sites/default/files/Adaptation%20Fund%20Argentina.pdf
56
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
E. Assessment
Although climate change adaptation does not appear to be a priority issue for the Argentinian government, the issue has gained greater
attention in recent years. A national-level commission on climate change with a mandate to elaborate adaptation strategies and link them
to government policies was established in 2006, and a National Climate Change Strategy, with adaptation as one of the key pillars, is
currently in development. Through its National Communications, Argentina has also identified relatively specific lines of action for
adaptation in a range of sectors, including freshwater supplies, agriculture, urban systems, human health, ecosystems, energy and
infrastructure. It has also separately addressed the needs of two vulnerable regions are addressed separately—the oases of the Cuyo
region in the Andes and the regions of Patagonia and Comahue. However, few of the needs identified by the country are being explicitly
addressed through current adaptation programming. Existing projects are addressing concerns related to water and agriculture primarily,
with less attention being given to coastal zone management and disaster risk management. Gaps in programming appear exist in relation
to human health, urban systems, energy, infrastructure and the gender dimensions of climate change.
References:
El Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria [FONTAGRO] (2010). Perfil de Proyecto Convocatoria Cambio Climático
FONTAGRO 2010. Retrieved from http://www.fontagro.org/calls/2010/evalperfiles/10012.pdf
Presidencia de la Nación Argentina (2011). Políticas de Estado. Retrieved from
http://www.casarosada.gov.ar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=34
República Argentina (1997). Primera Comunicación del Gobierno de la República Argentina Según Convención Marco de las Naciones
Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/argnc1s.pdf
República Argentina (2007). Comunicación Nacional de la República Argentina a la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre
Cambio Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/argnc1s.pdf
57
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
2.0 Bolivia
CAN
CATIE
CIFOR
CICC
EU
GEF
GIZ
IADB
IAI
INIA
MMAyA
MNACC
OAS
PNCC
RIOCC
SCCF
UNEP
Comunidad Andina (Andean Community of Nations)
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
Consejo Interinstitucional del Cambio Climático
European Union
Global Environment Facility
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (National Institute for Research and Technology
in Agriculture and Food)
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua (Ministry for Environment and Water)
Mecanismo Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (National Climate Change Adaptation Mechanism)
Organization of American States
Programa Nacional de Cambios Climáticos (National Climate Change Programme)
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Special Climate Change Fund
United Nations Environment Programme
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Bolivia currently faces a number of climate hazards, particularly droughts and floods, which typically occur in relation to El Niño or La
Niña years (MMAyA, 2009). In the decades to come, the country’s climate is expected to warm, with mean annual temperatures
projected to increase up to 5° to 6°C by 2100. Precipitation is projected to increase in the rainy season but to decrease in the dry season.
It is also anticipated to decrease in the highlands and the north, whereas it could increase in the southeastern plains. Rapid glacier retreat
due to higher temperatures is also an important trend for the country (MMAyA, 2009).
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Through its National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and National Climate Change
Adaptation Mechanism, Bolivia has noted the vulnerability of its ecosystems, forests, agriculture, livestock, water, human settlements
and health sectors to the impacts of climate change. The country’s First and Second National Communications also suggest priority
adaptation actions in relation to some of these sectors (CICC, 2000; MMAyA, 2009):
 Forests: Sustainable forest management; improving the well-being of forest inhabitants; improved efficiency of industrial
processes; development and growth of the sector; identification of resistant species; and reducing habitat fragmentation.
 Agriculture: Soil and water management; agricultural research; and interactive technology transfer.
 Livestock: Identification of resistant pastures; introduction of native pastures; introduction of new livestock; migration; changing
pastoral seasons; and supplementary diet.
 Freshwater: Coordinated planning of water use for each watershed; establishment of regulations; irrigation and storage works;
infrastructure development, including treatment plants, dams, water mains, sanitation infrastructure and irrigation systems;
conservation policies; quality control in water bodies; controlled and remunerated supply systems; adoption of emergency plans;
linkages between watersheds; prediction system for floods and droughts; and capacity building and education regarding the
management and consumption of water.
 Human health: Transmitter surveillance; chemical control; reservoir control; biological control; reduction of contact between
vector and human beings; community participation; epidemiological and climatic surveillance; and health and sanitation
education.
The National Climate Change Adaptation Mechanism (MNACC) further translates the general stipulations of the National
Development Plan into adaptation policies and actions for key sectors, as presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Adaptation policies and actions for key sectors in Bolivia as identified through its National Climate Change Adaptation Mechanism
Sector
Policies
Measures and Implementation Strategies
Water
 Conserve and manage water quantity and quality
for various purposes, taking into account climate
scenarios
 Regulate, legislate and conduct education
activities with a view to maintaining water quality
 Integrate climate change and its impacts into water policies;
 Promote efficient use of water for irrigation
 Alternative technologies for intensive water management in agriculture, industry, mining,
etc.
 Generate vulnerability studies for population centers in the context of climate risks
 Ensure water supply to aquifers
 Synergies with other water policies
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Sector
Policies
Measures and Implementation Strategies





Identify alternative energies in the face of hydropower vulnerability
Improve water storage
Promote rainwater capture
Programs for efficient water use
Interconnections between watersheds
Health
 Standardized community health systems taking
into account climate change
 Independence and strong leadership of the health
system
 Social empowerment
 Acknowledge and analyze determinants of health,
including climate change
 Epidemiologic monitoring covering climate risks







Strong integration of risk reduction action with existing health policy is key
Inclusion of climate change in health policies and programs
Identification of current situation and future scenarios for health vulnerability
Proactive behavior of National Health System
Social participation and promotion
Prevention and environmental protection for health
Develop bioclimatic monitoring systems for prioritized diseases.
Food Security and
Sovereignty
 Guarantee availability and access of food through
adaptation measures on agricultural production
and the conservation and management of agrobiodiversity
 Information and monitoring systems with better
links to climate scenarios
 Establish an adaptation fund
 Early warning system and integrated watershed
management
 Availability phytogenic resources for adaptation













Develop vulnerability indicators
Establish food security early warning system
develop phytosanitary monitoring systems under climate scenarios
Strengthen genetic plant improvement systems
Plant disease control
Analyze the economic damages of climate change
Support agro-biodiversity conservation
Strengthen systematic observation systems (e.g. agro-meteorology)
Create programs for exploiting the positive impacts of climate change on agriculture
Consolidate adjusted agricultural calendars for regions
Develop integrated public policies on adaptation
Develop control systems for protected watersheds to promote sustainable production
Establish one institutional framework for food security
Ecosystems
 Protect areas, balancing attenuation zones and
biological corridors
 Identify climate-sensitive ecosystems







Extend protected areas
Implement biological corridors
Sustainable management of attenuation zones in protected areas
Avoid deforestation to regulate hydrological cycle
Alternative agricultural methods to slash-and-burn
Monitoring of forest fires and ecosystem change
Multilayered cultures, agro-forestry and tree nurseries
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Sector
Policies
Measures and Implementation Strategies
 Promote protection of native species in arid and semiarid areas
 Forestation in wetlands
 Social participation in management of protected areas
Human
Settlements and
Risk Management
 Human settlements in new areas based on agroecological zoning and land use planning
 Adaptations linked to human settlement systems
and risk management
 Safe housing and infrastructure for integrated
human development
 Territorial planning and climate risk management
 Territorial planning and planning of human settlements in urban and rural areas
 Improvement of construction technology taking into account climate scenarios
 Intensive integration of risk and disaster management through the generation of
information on extreme events
 Develop programs to improve housing and roads taking into account climate extremes
 Capacity building on the use of climate scenarios
 Planning of new settlements
 Watershed protection
 Improve drainage systems
 Generate information on vulnerability of infrastructure
 Early warning systems
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Bolivia has been active in establishing a policy framework for its response to the impacts of climate change. In addition to publication of
two National Communications, its 2006 National Development Plan establishes policies related to adaptation to climate change under
the natural resources section. The plan calls for the development of a risk management and adaptation strategy for vulnerable sectors
(Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo, 2006). The MNACC translates the general stipulations of the National Development Plan into
an action plan for adaptation. It is divided into seven programs, of which five are sector-specific (water, health, food security,
ecosystems, human settlements and risk management) and the other two concern scientific investigation and capacity building,
communication and education (Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo, 2007). The Ministry for Environment and Water (MMAyA) is
the government focal point for climate change and executes its work in the area through the National Climate Change Programme.
Table 2: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
1.
Consejo
Interinstitucional del
Cambio Climático
Published in 2000
Multi-sectoral
First National Communication to
the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
The First National Communication assesses the vulnerability
of a number of sectors and proposes adaptation measures
for most of them.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
2.
National Development Plan
Ministry for Planning
and Development
Published in 2006
Multi-sectoral
The Plan mentions adaptation as one important policy
under the environmental resources section, which calls for
an adaptation and risk reduction strategy for vulnerable
sectors.
3.
National Climate Change
Adaptation Mechanism (MNACC)
Ministry for Planning
and Development
Published in 2007
Multi-sectoral
The MNACC translates the general stipulations of the
National Development Plan into an action plan for
adaptation. It is divided into five sectoral programs and two
programs relating to scientific investigation and capacity
building, communication and education.
4.
Second National Communication
to the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
Ministry for
Published in 2009
Environment and Water
Multi-sectoral
The Second National Communication presents vulnerability
assessments for several sectors, describes ongoing projects
and policies as well as the priorities for future assessments
and initiatives.
C. Current Adaptation Action
Bolivia is involved in a high number of adaptation projects and programs in comparison to other countries in South America, most of
which are part of regional or global projects. Many of these projects focus on issues related to agriculture and/or freshwater supply, two
sectors that have been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change due to glacier retreat, changing temperatures and rainfall.
One of these initiatives explicitly considers the vulnerability of ecosystems. Other projects aim to build national capacities to mainstream
climate risks into policies and programs and address concerns related to human health, another a priority sector. Most projects focus on
research and capacity building; few projects involving the actual implementation of recommended adaptation measures.
Table 3: Current Project and Program Adaptation Action in Bolivia
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
The objective of this project is to support the
Government of Bolivia in the preparation of
activities for phase 1 of the Pilot Program on
IADB; cofinancing
IADB
2009 - ?
Government National
National Action
1.
74
Support to Mainstream
Climate Change into the
Planning Process74
Capacity
building
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=BO-T1095
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
IADB; cofinancing
Ministry for
Environment
and Water
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Community
2010 - ?
based
adaptation;
Field
implementati
on
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
National
Research;
Capacity
building
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile
Climate Resilience (PPCR), as well as
contribute to enhance the country’s capacity
to coordinate and plan activities related to the
Program.
2.
Pilot Adaptation Measures This project will finance small local works to
to Climate Change in the help mitigate the impacts of climate change
Water Sector75
and reduce vulnerability of agricultural
production and the general population and to
generate lessons learned that will help the
design of similar works to be financed under
the “Pilot Program for Climate Resilience”
implementation on Bolivia.
Budget:
US$812,000
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
3.
4.
Coming Down the
Mountain: Understanding
the vulnerability of
Andean communities to
hydroclimatologic
variability and global
environmental change76
To identify and characterize vulnerabilities of
specific stakeholders to climate variability and
climate-induced water problems; evaluate
policies and capacities of water management
institutions to reduce the vulnerabilities of
stakeholders; and analyze results of objectives
1 and 2 relative to regional climate change
scenarios and future hydrological conditions.
InterUniversity of
American
Regina
Institute for (Canada)
Global
Change
Research
2007–2011
In Bolivia: Research in Bolivia takes place in the Coquecota River Basin.
Health Vulnerability and
To provide national level evidence of the
World Health National
Climate Change
linkages between climate and health; improve Organization Ministries
Adaptation Assessments77 understanding of local and specific health risks
and vulnerabilities; provide the opportunity for
capacity building; and serve as a baseline
analysis to monitor how health risks may be
influenced by a changing climate over time.
Assessment;
Capacity
building
2008–2010 Human
health
Global: 15
countries
including
Bolivia, Brazil,
Cambodia,
Costa Rica,
Ghana, India,
Kyrgyz
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=BO-G1001
IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_4.pdf
77 WHO, http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/en/index.html
75
76
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Republic,
Mongolia and
Tunisia
In Bolivia: Assessment completed and overview available.78
5.
6.
7.
Design and
Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
the Andean Region (PRAA
Project)79
Utilization of Potato
Genetic Diversity as Tool
to Adaptation to Climate
Change80
Implement measures to meet the anticipated
consequences of the catastrophic glacier
retreat induced by climate change through
design and implementation of strategic pilot
adaptation measures to address key impacts
of glacier retreat, including: management
plans for potable water systems in urban
areas; promotion of less water consuming
management practices in the agricultural
sector; and measures to increase the natural
water storage capacity of highland
ecosystems.
SCCF cofinancing
To contribute to the adaptation of potato
production systems to the expected impact of
climate change, in order to develop
technological alternatives to counteract the
direct and potential effects of climate change
(drought- and frost-tolerant varieties; high
quality seeds; tools for risk evaluation) and the
negative impacts on farmers and their families;
as well as develop a climate change prevention
and mitigation plan suited to the particular
conditions of communities in the high Andes.
IADB, cofinancing
Integrated and Sustainable To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
Budget:
US$28.7
million
World Bank
with
Government
ministries,
regional
organizations
Capacity
2008–2012
building; Field
implementati
on
Freshwater
supply; Urban
areas;
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Ecuador, Peru,
Venezuela
In Bolivia: Implementation of measures in the Andes: Tuni watershed, other watersheds
affected by glacier retreat, defensive constructions in Huayhuasi and El Palomar.
Budget:
US$742,520
Fundación para
la Promoción e
Investigación
de Productores
Andinos
Research;
2009 - ?
Policy
formation and
integration
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia, Peru
Watershed
Regional:
In Bolivia: Further information required.
GEF, co-
UNEP, Amazon Capacity
2009–2014
WHO, http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/bolivia_va_Presentation.pdf
ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/projects/regional-design-and-implementation-pilot-climate-change-adaptation-measures-andean-region; and
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/CARE_PRAA_Summary.pdf
80 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1690
78
79
64
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Management of
Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 81
8.
Regional Instruments for
Adaptation to Climate
Change by the Health
Sector82
Objectives
Funder(s)
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
financing
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
Duration
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
management Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Bolivia: Further information required.
The project aims to create mechanisms to
IADB, coIADB
broaden knowledge of current and future
financing
impacts of climate on health in the population.
Budget:
US$1,202,000
Knowledge
2010 - ?
communicatio
n; Research
Human
health
LAC Region:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Mexico,
Paraguay
In Bolivia: Further information required.
9.
Pilot Program for Climate
Resilience (PPCR)83
PPCR aims to pilot and demonstrate ways in
which climate risk and resilience may be
integrated into core development planning
and implementation in a way that is consistent
with poverty reduction and sustainable
development goals. In this way, the PPCR
provides incentives for scaled-up action and
initiates transformational change. The pilot
programs and projects implemented under the
PPCR are country-led, build on NAPAs and
other relevant country studies and strategies.
World Bank’s World Bank
Strategic
Climate Fund
Policy
2008–
formation and ongoing
integration
US$971.75
million
pledged as
of February
2011
Multi-sectoral Global:
Bolivia,
Cambodia,
Mozambique,
Nepal, Niger,
Tajikistan,
Yemen, Zambia
Regional
Programs:
Caribbean and
Pacific
(includes Papua
New Guinea,
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681
83 CIF, http://www.climatefundsupdate.org/listing/pilot-program-for-climate-resilience
81
82
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Samoa, Tonga)
In Bolivia: The program is currently financing assessment work and capacity development
activities.84
10. Climate Change Impacts
on Biodiversity in the
Tropical Andes: Climate
risk, vulnerability and
decision making tools for
the planning of
conservation85
“To provide tropical Andean countries with a
standard methodology for estimating climate
change risks for biodiversity at local scales that
can be used to design adaptation measures
tailored to particular conditions. Case studies
will be conducted during three years (2011 2013) on short- to medium-term climate
change trends, biodiversity patterns and
gradients and the vulnerability of species and
ecosystems to climate and land use changes in
two cross-border areas: a) the Pacific slope of
the Northern Andes, in the border region of
Colombia and Ecuador; [and] (b) the
Amazonian slope of the Central Andes, in the
border region of Bolivia and Peru.”
John D. and IAI
Catherine T.
MacArthur
Foundation
11. Sustainable Management
of the Water Resources of
the la Plata Basin with
Respect to the Effects of
Climate Variability and
Change86
To strengthen transboundary cooperation
among the riparian country governments of
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay to ensure management of shared
water resources of the River Plate in an
integrated sustainable manner, within the
context of climate variability and change, while
capitalizing on development opportunities.
GEF, national UNEP, OAS,
governments National
environmental
Budget:
ministries
US$62.5
million
Research
2011–2013
Biodiversity
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Bolivia: To be determined
Capacity
2011–2015
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Watershed
Regional:
management Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Paraguay and
Uruguay
In Bolivia: The project involves environmental and riparian protection programs in rivers
belonging to the River Plate Basin.
PPRC, http://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/content/bolivia
IAI, http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=68
86 IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
84
85
66
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
12. Economics of Adaptation
to Climate Change87
The two specific objectives of the study were:
(1) to develop a global estimate of adaptation
costs to inform the international community’s
efforts to tailor support and provide new and
additional resources to help vulnerable
developing countries meet adaptation costs;
and (2) to support decision makers in
developing countries to better evaluate and
assess the risks posed by climate change and
to better design strategies to adapt to climate
change.
Netherlands, World Bank
Switzerland
and the
United
Kingdom
13. Review of the Economics The purpose of the study is to make a
of Climate Change in South socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
America88
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Research;
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral Global:
Policy
Bangladesh,
formation and
Bolivia,
integration
Ethiopia,
Ghana,
Mozambique,
Samoa and Viet
Nam
In Bolivia: Results of the Economics of Adaptation Study’s country case study in Bolivia are
accessible here:
http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/documents/EACC_Bolivia.pdf
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone Regional:
Policy
management Argentina,
formation and
; Government Bolivia, Brazil,
integration
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Bolivia: Further information required.
14. Preparedness for Climate
Change89
The aim of this program was for the Red Cross
and Red Crescent National Societies in
countries particularly vulnerable to climate
change to gain a better understanding of
climate change and its impacts to identify
country-specific adaptation measures in line
with risks. Activities could include organizing a
workshop on risks, assessment of risks
Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Climate
Centre
National Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Societies
Capacity
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Phase 1:
Disaster risk Global project:
2006–2009 management 39 countries
Phase 2:
ongoing
South American
participants in
Phase 1:
Argentina
Bolivia
World Bank, http://climatechange.worldbank.org/content/economics-adaptation-climate-change-study-homepage
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
89 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme
87
88
67
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
through preparation of a background
document, capacity building programs, and
developing climate change resilient plans.
15. Community-based
Adaptation (CBA)
Programme90
The objective of the program is to enhance the
capacity of communities in the pilot countries
to adapt to climate change including
variability. Planned outcomes are:
• Enhanced adaptive capacity allows
communities to reduce their vulnerability to
adverse impacts of future climate hazards;
• National policies and programs include
community-based adaptation priorities to
promote replication, up-scaling and
integration of best practices derived from
community-based adaptation projects; and
cooperation among member countries
promotes global innovation in adaptation to
climate change including variability.
16. Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”92
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia
Guyana
In Bolivia: Further information required.
GEF
UNDP
(Strategic
Priority on
Adaptation),
co-financing
Budget:
US$6.7
million
Knowledge
2009–2011
communicatio
n; Capacity
Building;
Communitybased
adaptation
Multi-sectoral Global:
Bangladesh,
Bolivia,
Guatemala,
Jamaica,
Kazakhstan,
Morocco,
Namibia,
Niger,
Samoa,
Viet Nam
In Bolivia: The project focuses on three main themes: security/agriculture, water
resources, and natural ecosystems.91
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
UNDP, http://www.undp-adaptation.org/projects/websites/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203
PAR, http://agrobiodiversityplatform.org/climatechange/2010/10/27/resilience-to-climate-change-the-community-based-adaptation-project-in-bolivia/
92 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
90
91
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Plans.
Geographic
focus (if any)
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Bolivia: To be identified.
17. Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica93
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
INIA, CIFOR,
new information and knowledge and
CATIE,
strengthen the capacity of research
Polytechnical
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
University of
sustainable forest management with
Madrid
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
In Bolivia: To be identified.
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,94
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
18. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
Spain
UNEP
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
Budget:
planning processes and building the associated US$4,375,233
capacity of key regional and national
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries95
Phase 2: 3-5
Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
95 The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
93
94
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Bolivia: Further information required.
19. Climate Change and
Biodiversity Information in
the Tropical Andes
(Información de Cambio
Climático y Biodiversidad
para el
Fomento de Políticas
Públicas de Conservación y
Adaptación en
la Región de los Andes
Tropicales)96
The objective of the project is to create a
regional system of public information on
climate change and its potential impact on the
biodiversity of the tropical Andes. The aim of
the project is to contribute in the generation
of public policies and the insertion of
biodiversity conservation into the national
climate change plans of participant countries.
IADB; cofinancing
20. Regional Program to
Adaptation to Climate
Change in Andes Region
The project seeks to promote integrated
measures of adaptation to climate change in
the agricultural sector with the countries
members of the CAN. It will strengthen
national food security strategies in the context
of climate change adaptation and institutions
in the agriculture sector.
German
GIZ, CAN,
Federal
Ministries
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ)
Budget:
US$878,720
Centro
Internacional
para la
Investigación
del Fenómeno
de El Niño
Policy
2011 - ?
formation and
integration;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Biodiversity; Regional:
Civil society Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru
In Bolivia: Further information required.
Capacity
2011–2016
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru
In Bolivia: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
No proposed actions have been identified beyond the priorities presented in the MNACC.
96
IADB, http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35427915
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E. Assessment
Climate change, and adaptation in particular, has received ample recognition at the highest policy levels in Bolivia. The National
Development Plan acknowledges the threats of climate change to development and calls for the development of an adaptation and risk
reduction strategy. The National Climate Change Adaptation Mechanism translates this call into a range of policies and actions in
explicitly prioritized sectors. The MNACC has been developed by the Ministry of Planning and Development, which further highlights
the important of adaptation to the government. Bolivia also has a long-standing and clear structure for climate change action, with a
respectable National Climate Change Programme being the core agency.
A range of adaptation activities are already being executed in the country, often related to capacity building and policy research.
Freshwater supply and agriculture, two of the five priority sectors, have received most of the attention of current activities. However,
health, ecosystems as well as human settlements, disaster risk management and gender have remained largely unaddressed by adaptation
action. The main challenge for Bolivia, it seems, is to translate its comprehensive and coherent policy framework into concrete
adaptation action on the ground.
References:
Consejo Interinstitucional del Cambio Climático (2000). Primera Comunicación Nacional ante la Convención Marco de las Naciones
Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/bolnc1e.pdf
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua [MMAyA] (2009). Segunda Comunicación Nacional del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia ante la
Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/bolnc2.pdf
Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo (2006). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo.
Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo (2007). Mecanismo Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
3.0 Brazil
BMU
CATIE
CEDEPLAR
CDM
CIA
CIFOR
CIM
CPTEC
ECLAC
EU
FNMC
GDP
GEF
GHG
GIZ
GPMC
IADB
IEM
INIA
INPE
IVIG
INCT
IPCC
MBSCG
Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorischerheit (German Ministry for the Environment)
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Centro de Desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional de Minas Gerais (Center for Regional Development and
Planning of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
Clean Development Mechanism
Central Intelligence Agency
Center for International Forestry Research
Comitê Interministerial sobre Mudança do Clima (Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change)
Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos (Centre for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies)
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
European Union
Fundo Nacional Sobre Mudança Climática (National Climate Change Fund)
Gross Domestic Product
Global Environment Facility
greenhouse gas
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Grupo de Pesquisa em Mudanças Climáticas (Climate Change Research Group) (housed under INPE)
Inter-American Development Bank
Integrated Ecosystem Management
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (National Institute on Space Research)
Instituto Virtual de Mudanças Globais (Virtual Institute of Global Changes)
Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (National Institute of Science and Technology)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Modelo Brasileiro do Sistema Climático Global (Brazilian Global Climate System Model)
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
MCT
MMA
OAS
PBMC
PNMC
REDE CLIMA
RIOCC
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia (Ministry of Science and Technology)
Ministério do Meio Ambiente (Ministry of Environment)
Organization of American States
Painel Brasileiros de Mudanças Climáticas (Brazilian Panel on Climate Change)
Plano Nacional sobre Mudanças Climáticas (National Climate Change Plan)
Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais (Brazilian Global Climate Change Research
Network)
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Brazil expands over an area 8,514,800 square kilometers, making it the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in
the world (CIA, 2011). The vast Brazilian territory supports a diverse mosaic of ecosystems which are estimated to be home to 1.8
million species, representing approximately 13 per cent of the world’s species (Lewinsohn and Prado, 2005). Brazil is also the fifth most
populous country in the world, with an estimated 2011 population of 203.43 million (CIA, 2011) of which approximately 24 per cent
live in the coastal zone (MCT 2010). Brazil’s economy outweighs the economies of all other South American countries combined and
ranks eighth globally (MCT 2010). It is the main exporter of several agricultural products, including sugarcane, beef, chicken, coffee,
orange juice, tobacco and alcohol, and is ranked second in corn and soy bean exports (MCT 2010). Brazil is also amongst the largest
producers of various manufactured products, including cement, aluminum, chemicals, petrochemical feedstock, and oil (MCT 2010).
High rates of deforestation are a concern in the country. However, Brazil has recently implemented legal, administrative and economic
measures to help curb deforestation, particularly in the Amazon (MCT 2010).
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (Parry et al., 2007; in MCT 2010) key potential impacts of climate
change in Brazil include:
 A very high-probability the less frequent and more variable rainfall will exacerbate water insecurity in the semi-arid northeastern
Brazil, particularly if population growth is considered. Groundwater recharge may diminish by 70 per cent in Brazil’s Northeast.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America





A high probability of increased rainfall in south-eastern Brazil will compromise crop yields and increase the frequency and
intensity of flooding.
A high probability of biodiversity loss, including the gradual replacement of the Amazon with savannahs and desertification of
semi-arid regions in Northeast Brazil.
A high probability that increasing sea level will affect Brazil’s coastal areas.
Global climate change could raise rainfall rates, thus exacerbating impacts caused by erosion and landslides. Brazil’s northeast is
particularly vulnerable as erosion has already caused sedimentation of reservoirs and subsequently reduced water storage and
supply capacity. Shanty towns (favelas), located on steep slopes in metropolitan areas, are also especially vulnerable to erosion
and landslides.
Climate change may impact human health, particularly with the spread of vector-borne diseases (i.e. dengue fever) and diseases
resulting from diminished water quality.
Moreover, warming of the South Atlantic Ocean may contribute to the increasing intensity and frequency of tropical storms. For
example, the first-ever reported hurricane in the South Atlantic, which made landfall in southern Brazil in March 2004, has been
attributed to warming of the South Atlantic (Pezza and Simmonds 2005).
To better understand the impacts of climate change, the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) has been actively
supporting down-scaling methods and the development of regional models. There is a relatively high degree of uncertainty associated
with the existing climate change scenario projections generated by the various global climate models used by the IPCC (MCT 2010),
since they use different formulas to simulate physical processes at a relatively low level of resolution, and conflicting scenarios are
sometimes generated. For example, some models project a drier climate for the Amazon whereas other models project a wetter Amazon
(MCT 2010). Similarly, some models suggest an increase in total rainfall for semi-arid Northeast Brazil (MCT 2010).
Consequently, the MCT has recognized the need to develop climate modeling capacity in Brazil, particularly with regards to downscaling methods to provide more detailed and accurate projections to better inform adaptation policy for water security, natural
ecosystem conservation, agriculture, and human health (MCT 2010). The MCT, through the Brazilian National Institute on Space
Research (INPE), has therefore supported the development and progressive refinement of regional climate models for South America
(see for example: Alves and Marengo, 2009; Chou et al., 2011; Marengo et al., 2009a; Marengo et al., 2009b; Pesquero et al., 2010). In
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
2007, INPE published a series of seminal Climate Change Reports97 (see Marengo et al. [2007] for a summary) which focused specifically
on Brazil and reported on climatic changes and impacts in the diverse regions of Brazil. These results are summarized in Table 1.
Various impact studies have also been conducted and published based on research presented in the INPE 2007 Climate Change
Reports, including Climate Change and Energy Security in Brazil (Schaeffer et al,. 2008), Global Warming and the New Geography in Agricultural
Production in Brazil (Assad and Pinto 2008), and Climate Change, Migration and Health: Scenarios for the Northeast region of Brazil (CEDEPLAR
and Fiocruz 2008), along with reports on economic impacts of climate change in Brazil (Marcovitch et al., 2010; ECLAC 2009).
Table 1. Climate change projections and impacts across different regions of Brazil based on INPE 2007 Climate Change Reports
Brazilian Region
Climate Change projection
North
(including the
Amazon)
 Pessimistic A2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 4-8 C, 15-20% rainfall
reduction
 Optimistic B2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 3-5oC, 5-15% rainfall
reduction
 Increase in extreme rainfall events in the Western Amazon and
increase in consecutive days without rain in the Eastern Amazon
 Possibility of more intense and frequent droughts after 2050






loss of ecosystem services and biodiversity in the Amazon
reduced river flows, affecting transportation and hydroelectric power
reduced humidity and thus favorable conditions for forest fires
risk that the Amazon may become a savannah
impacts on human health, migration and commerce
effects on the transportation of atmospheric humidity to the
southeast of South America
Northeast
 Pessimistic A2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 2-4oC, 15-20% rainfall
reduction
 Optimistic B2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 1-3oC, 10-15% rainfall
reduction
 Increased consecutive days without rain and air dryness
 Increased evapotranspiration from reservoirs
 Possibility of more frequent and intense droughts
 Increased desertification risk
 Possible sea level rise







loss of ecosystem services and biodiversity from the caatinga biome
reduced river flows, affecting transportation and hydroelectric power
reduced agricultural productivity resulting from increased aridity
compromised water security
impacts on human health, migration, tourism and employment
increased social conflict
potential reduction in in aquifer recharge by 2050
Central-West
(including the
Pantanal)
 Pessimistic A2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 3-6oC, increased rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 Optimistic B2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 2-4oC, increased rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 increased number of extreme rainfall events and consecutive days
without rainfall
 reduced agricultural productivity
 increased heat waves with impacts on health and energy consumption
 increased social conflict
97
Potential Impacts
o
INPE/CCST, http://mudancasclimaticas.cptec.inpe.br/
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Brazilian Region
Climate Change projection
Potential Impacts
 compromised water security
 impacts on the pantanal and cerrado biomes, increased fire risk
Southeast
 Pessimistic A2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 3-3oC, increased rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 Optimistic B2 Scenario: Temperatures rise by 2-3oC, increased rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 Possible sea level rise






South
 Pessimistic A2: Temperatures rise by 2-4oC, 5-10% increase in rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 Optimistic B2: Temperatures rise by 1-3oC, 0-5% increase in rainfall
intensity and irregularity
 increased extreme rainfall events and cyclones
 increased frequency of heat waves and warmer nights
 possible sea level rise
 health impacts including increased occurrence of tropical diseases
 agricultural productivity compromised by higher temperatures and
intense rainfall
 increased cost of food
 increased flooding and landslide risk
 increased social conflict
 impacts on ecosystems such as the Araucária forest and pampas
increased frequency of flooding and landslides
reduced agricultural productivity and compromised food security
increased heat waves with impacts on health and energy consumption
compromised water security
increased social conflict
impacts on ecosystems such as the Atlantic Rainforest
According to the Initial and Second National Communication (MCT 2004; MCT 2010) priority adaptation research areas include:
 Drought in the Northeast, as well as in other regions of the country and its impacts on agriculture and hydroelectric generation;
 Floods that present a serious problem in various regions, including the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro;
 Frost and its impacts, mainly on coffee and orange crops, in particular in the South and Southeast regions;
 Impacts of climate change on the productivity of agricultural crops (corn, soybean, wheat, etc.) of considerable importance to
Brazil’s GDP;
 Vulnerability of coastal zones because of rising sea levels, and implementation of a preventative approach in selecting sites for
urban expansion and industrial development;
 Vulnerability in the area of human health, especially related to the transmission of various infectious diseases whose vectors and
parasites are particularly sensible to climatic changes (malaria, dengue, etc.);
 Impacts of climate change on the electrical sector given the predominance of hydroelectric generation in the country; and
 Coral bleaching along Brazilian coastlines.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
B. National Level Policies
Recognizing the increasing importance of climate change, the Brazilian government has developed and allocated budgetary resources to
various national level organizations, the first of which was the development of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Global Climate
Change98 in 1999. Overseen by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, the role of the Inter-Ministerial Committee is
to disseminate the Brazilian federal government’s actions with regards to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) and serves as the Designated National Authority for Clean Development Mechanism projects.
In the year 2000, the Brazilian government launched the Climate Change Program as part of its 2000-2003 Multi-Year Plan (MCT 2004).
The main objective of the Climate Change Program was to generate scientific research related to greenhouse gas emissions and the
refinement of climate change policy. The Climate Change Program included six main actions, of which two pertained directly to
adaptation:
 Action 1–Development of studies on vulnerability and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The key objective was to
study climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in the areas of agriculture, ecosystems, biodiversity, water resources,
coastal resources and human health.
 Action 2–Development of forecasting models to monitor climatic changes. The key objective was to begin a process of scientific
research and development of climate information systems, with the goal of reducing uncertainty about the causes, effects,
magnitude and changes over time of climatic changes and the economic and social consequences of various response strategies.
The National Climate Change Program continues to operate as part of the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, and seeks to enhance
Brazil’s capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change (see Table 2). A National Climate Change Plan (PNMC) has also been
elaborated with participation from the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (CIM),99,100 which includes the Chief of Staff of
Brazil,101 the Secretariat of Strategic Affairs, 15 federal ministries102 and the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change. In addition to the
development of the PNMC, the CIM is also responsible for the dissemination, implementation and evaluation of the PNMC. Although
the PNMC places much greater emphasis on mitigation than on adaptation, it still identifies adaptation priorities and potential synergies
MDICE, http://www.desenvolvimento.gov.br/sitio/interna/interna.php?area=1&menu=783&refr=482
The Inter-ministerial Committee on Climate Change is different than the Inter-ministerial Committee on Global Climate Change (See Table 2).
100 Federal Decree describing structure and function of CIM: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2007-2010/2007/Decreto/D6263.htm
101 The Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Republic (Chefe da Casa Civil da Presidência da República) is the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of
Brazil and a senior aide to the President.
102 Ministries of: Agriculture, Livestock & Food Supply; Science & Technology; Defense; Education; Finance; National Integration; Health; Cities; Foreign Affairs;
Mines & Energy; Agriculture Development; Development, Industry & Foreign Trade; Environment; Planning, Budget & Management; Transportation
98
99
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
with existing programs to: combat desertification (Program of National Action to Combat Desertification and Mitigate Drought–PAN
Brasil103); establish integrated watershed resource management; and link with the National Environmental Council104 and the Brazilian
Unified Health System.
To legally enforce the over-arching goals of the PNMC, a National Climate Change Policy was also passed in December 2009, which
recognizes the importance of climate change vulnerability studies and the need to integrate climate change adaptation into municipal,
regional and national policy. The National Climate Change Policy lists a National Climate Change Plan and a National Climate Change
Fund as instruments to reach its objectives. The Brazilian government, via the Ministry of Environment (MMA), initiated the National
Climate Change Fund (FNMC)105 concurrently with the National Climate Change Policy in December 2009106 and operationalized the
FNMC in October 2010.107 The FNMC receives a significant portion of its funds from oil production revenue108 and provides financial
support to initiatives that seek to reduce greenhouse emissions, assess climate change impacts, or adapt to climate change impacts.
The Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) has also submitted Brazil’s Initial and Second National Communication (MCT
2004; MCT 2010) to the UNFCCC. Similar to the initial actions of the National Climate Change Program, one of the main objectives of
the Second National Communication was to further elaborate a methodological framework to evaluate vulnerability and adaptation
measures, with two main components focused on: 1) the development of more detailed climate projections for Brazil; and 2) the
preliminary analysis of key climate change impacts with specific emphasis on Brazil’s national circumstances.
The National Institute on Space Research (INPE), which is directly linked to the MCT, has been the national entity responsible for the
coordinating climate modeling and future climate change scenarios and adaptation research (MCT 2010). In particular, INPE’s Climate
Change Research Group (GPMC) has taken the lead with climate modeling, vulnerability analyses, and impact and adaptation studies.
The GPMC has considerable capacity since it collaborates with researchers from diverse academic and research institutes, including the
University of São Paulo, University of Campinas, and Brazilian Foundation for Sustainable Development, as well as Brazilian federal
government institutions such as the Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research and the Brazilian National Institute for Meteorology
MMA, http://www.mma.gov.br/estruturas/sedr_desertif/_arquivos/pan_brasil_portugues.pdf
MMA, http://www.mma.gov.br/port/conama/processos/B92F43DF/RelatFinalGTAdaMudCli_200804021.pdf
105 MMA, http://www.mma.gov.br/sitio/index.php?ido=conteudo.monta&idEstrutura=251
106 Government of Brazil, http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2007-2010/2009/Lei/L12114.htm
107 Government of Brazil http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2007-2010/2010/Decreto/D7343.htm
108 According to the CIA World Factbook, Brazil is ranked 9 th globally in total barrels of oil produced per day; just above Kuwait (10 th) and Venezuela (11th). CIA,
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2173rank.html.
103
104
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
(INMET).109 The GPMC is currently working on improving the regional climate model, for example, to include dynamic vegetation and
changes in land use.110 All the improvements are expected to fill in gaps from existing scenarios, further reduce margins of error and
increase spatial resolution from 40x40 square kilometers to 20x20 square kilometers to better assess climate change impacts (MCT
2010). In addition to regional models, INPE is also developing the Brazilian Global Climate System Model in collaboration with climate
centers in South America, South Africa, India and Europe (MCT 2010). Such plans to contribute global climate modeling research
reflect Brazil’s progressively advancing capacity for modeling climate change impacts.
In addition to actively supporting climate modeling research, the MCT has also strived to increase technical capacity via an
interdisciplinary approach, with the development of the National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) for Climate Change111 and
Brazilian Global Climate Change Research Network (Rede CLIMA).112 The INCT for Climate Change aims at developing a
comprehensive interdisciplinary research network on climate change with Brazilian and international research groups (MCT 2010). The
INCT is housed within INPE and provides scientific and technical expertise to Rede CLIMA. The main objectives of Rede CLIMA are
to disseminate climate change research and help establish additional research partnerships.
The Brazilian Climate Change Forum113 is another network that links researchers but also provides an opportunity to listen to public
concerns and priorities via public hearings organized across the country. It was established in June 2000, and is coordinated by the
Virtual Institute of Global Change (Alberto Luiz Coimbra Post-graduate and Engineering Research Institute of the Federal University of
Rio De Janeiro). The main objectives of the Brazilian Climate Change Forum are to plan and implement climate change forums at the
state level and public hearings in diverse regions of the country, as well as promote interdisciplinary studies on climate change
adaptation.
The Brazilian Panel on Climate Change (PBMC)114 was also created in September 2009 by the MCT and MMA.115 The PBMC is a
national, scientific organization that mirrors the IPCC, which synthesizes and evaluates climate change in Brazil, including impacts,
INPE/CCST, http://mudancasclimaticas.cptec.inpe.br/
Current models assume that existing vegetation is not altered by climate change, however, climate change would alter vegetation type and density and dynamic
modeling can include these effects.
111INPE, http://www.ccst.inpe.br/inct/
112 INPE, http://www.ccst.inpe.br/redeclima/
113 Forumclima, http://www.forumclima.org.br
114 PBMC, http://www.pbmc.coppe.ufrj.br/index.php?area=historia
115 PBMC, http://www.pbmc.coppe.ufrj.br/portaria356.pdf
109
110
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
vulnerability and adaptation actions. The PBMC directly supports activities outlined in the National Climate Change Plan, including
supporting state and municipal policy development on climate change mitigation and adaptation. The First National Assessment Report
is anticipated to be complete for 2012.
Table 2: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
1.
National Climate Change
Program116
Ministry of Science and
Technology
Established in Multi-sectoral
2000
The program enhances Brazil’s scientific, technological and
institutional capacity to better understand climate change, identify
impacts in Brazil, and support policy development at the national and
international level. This includes supporting preparation of the
Second National Communication of Brazil (MCT 2010).
2.
Initial National
Communication to the
UNFCCC 117
Ministry of Science and
Technology
Released Dec Multi-sectoral
2004
With regards to adaptation, the 1st National Communication presents
climate change impacts in the semi-arid region, coastal zone, health,
electrical sector, agriculture, disaster preparedness, and regional
climate modeling. The integration of climate change issues is also
presented but is mostly applicable to mitigation.
3.
National Climate Change
Plan118
Inter-Ministerial Committee Completed
on Climate Change
September
2008 and
open for
public
consultation
Multi-sectoral
Briefly addresses the identification of climate change impacts,
vulnerability mapping and adaptation options. Adaptation measures
identified include synergies with: National Program to Combat
Desertification and Drought Mitigation (PAN Brasil); Framework for
the Sustainable Water Resources Management of the Prata
Watershed; the work and role of National Environmental Council to
identify and adopt adaptation measures; and capacity building to
better address climate variability within the Unified Health System.
4.
National Climate Change
Policy119
Public administration
Multi-sectoral
Promotes adaptation measures to reduce environmental, social, and
economic vulnerability to climate change through the integration of
adaptation measures in local, region and national policy; promotion
of bilateral, regional, and multi-lateral international cooperation for
financing, capacity development, and research for adaptation
Established
December
2009
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
MCT, http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/77650.html#tlt
UNFCCC, http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=BRA/COM/1%20B%20COPY%201%20ENG#beg
118 MMA, http://www.mma.gov.br/estruturas/169/_arquivos/169_29092008073244.pdf
119 Government of Brazil, http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2007-2010/2009/lei/l12187.htm
116
117
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
actions.
5.
Second National
Communication to the
UNFCCC120
Ministry of Science and
Technology, under the
National Climate Change
Program
Released
November
2010
Multi-sectoral
With regards to adaptation, the Second National Communication
presents the regional climate model (Eta-CPTEC Model) and
introduces the MBSCG along with the impacts of climate change on
the semi-arid region, urban areas, coastal zone, human health,
energy and water resources, forests, agriculture and livestock, and
disaster preparedness. As in the First National Communication,
integration of climate change issues is focused primarily on
mitigation.
6.
Third National
Communication to the
UNFCCC
Ministry of Science and
Technology
Currently
being
compiled
Multi-sectoral
Will present updated and refined analysis of climate change impacts
and adaptation, for example, will present progress with the MBSCG
(MCT 2010).
C. Current Adaptation Action
The current adaptation actions outlined in Table 3 reflect those that significantly rely on contributions from external donors. This
restriction reflect the difficulty of capturing all of Brazil’s current climate change adaptation actions due its strong and rapidly advancing
capacity to assess climate change impacts and act upon the outcomes of this research. The strong civil society presence in Brazil also
provides solid support for the profusion of social and environmental initiatives that may serendipitously support adaptation to climate
change. For example, the Semi-Arid Brazilian Network (Articulação no Semi-Árido Brasileiro) is comprised of more than 700 entities
and has been developing water infrastructure across Northeast Brazil. This work includes the One Million Cistern Program (Programa
Um Milhão de Cisternas)121 that will provide five million people in Northeast Brazil with potable water, reducing their vulnerability to
drought.
Of the current adaptation actions identified in Table 3, one involves the development of high resolution climate scenarios and the others
focus on integrated approaches for natural resource management whilst addressing potential climate change impacts. The integration of
climate change adaptation into natural resource management plans reflects an evolution of climate change adaptation planning away
from previous climate change impact assessments. A small number of identified projects are being implemented solely in Brazil; the
120
121
MCT, http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/326984.html
ASA, http://www.asabrasil.org.br/Portal/Informacoes.asp?COD_MENU=1150
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remainder involve other countries, primarily from within the Latin American region. An exception is Brazil’s participation in the World
Health Organization’s (WHO) project “Health Vulnerability and Climate Change Adaptation Assessments.” The limited number of
solely Brazilian projects funded by large-scale external funders may reflect international recognition of Brazil’s internal capacity.
Table 3. Current Adaptation Actions in Brazil
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Rio de Janeiro Sustainable
Integrated Ecosystem
Management in
Productive Landscapes of
the North-Northwestern
Fluminense122
The aim of this project for Brazil is to address
threats to biodiversity of global importance;
reverse land degradation in agricultural
landscapes; enhance carbon sequestration,
and increase awareness at all levels of the
value of adopting an integrated ecosystems
management (IEM) approach in managing
natural resources. This project has four
components. Component 1 supports planning
for IEM actions. Component 2 supports
systems for adopting IEM and sustainable
management practices. Component 3 supports
organization and capacity building for IEM.
Component 4 finances project management,
monitoring, and evaluation.
GEF, cofinancing
Secretariat of
Agriculture,
Fisheries and
Rural
Development
(SEAPPA)
2005–2011
Ecosystem
conservation
NorthNorthwester
n parts of Rio
de Janeiro
State
Multiplying Best Practice
in Adaptation to Climate
Change123
In response to growing aridity in Brazil’s north, BMU
the project seeks to prepare the rural
population to cope through the
Budget: €
implementation of proven local strategies. This 871,241
includes expansion of existing irrigation pilot
projects, establishing of a network of
municipalities and organizations seeking to
disseminate successful adaptation measures,
and provision of training measures.
National Action
1.
2.
122
123
Budget:
GEF:
US$13.52
million
Capacity
Building;
Policy
Formation
and
integration
Centro Clima, Field
2008–2010 Rural areas;
Universidade implementati
Freshwater
Federal do Rio on
supply
de Janeiro
Northern
Brazil
World Bank, http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P075379
BMU, http://www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de/en/projects?p=2&d=457
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Name
Objectives
3.
The project aims to contribute to better
BMU
understand the links between to climate
change and biodiversity by helping to
Budget: €
coordinate biodiversity monitoring in selected 3,500,000
Brazilian protected areas. It will provide
information relevant to decisions on
mitigation. It is also anticipated that the
project will help prepare for decisions related
to protected areas and climate change.
Monitoring ClimateRelevant Biodiversity with
Regard to Mitigation and
Adaptation124
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Instituto Chico Research;
Mendes de
Capacity
Conservação
building
da
Biodiversidade,
MMA, state
environmental
authorities,
others
2010–2013
Biodiversity
Geographic
focus (if any)
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
4.
Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America125
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone
Policy
management;
formation and
Government
integration
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Brazil: Further information required.
5.
Health Vulnerability and
To provide national level evidence of the
World Health National
Climate Change
linkages between climate and health; improve Organization Ministries
Adaptation Assessments126 understanding of local and specific health risks
and vulnerabilities; provide the opportunity for
capacity building; and serve as a baseline
analysis to monitor how health risks may be
influenced by a changing climate over time.
Assessment;
Capacity
building
2008–2010 Human health
Global: 15
countries
including
Bolivia, Brazil,
Cambodia,
Costa Rica,
Ghana, India,
Kyrgyz
BMU, http://www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de/en/projects?p=1&d=650
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
126 WHO, http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/en/index.html
124
125
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Republic,
Mongolia and
Tunisia
In Brazil: Assessment completed and short summary available. 127
6.
Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas128
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
ECLAC,
Capacity
2009–2011
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
University of
building;
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Cantabria,
Assessment;
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
national
Knowledge
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
counterparts communicatio
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
In Brazil: Further information required.
project “Economics of Climate Change in
Central America - Phase II”129 funded by IADB,
UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
Coastal zone
management
Most RIOCC
countries130
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
7.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”131
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
See: WHO, http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/SUMMARY_Manaus_Brazil_VA.pdf
RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
129 See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
130 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
131 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
127
128
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Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Geographic
focus (if any)
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Brazil: Further information required.
8.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica132
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Brazil: Further information required.
9.
132
Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
GEF, cofinancing
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Regional:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Climate Variability and
Change 133
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
In Brazil: Further information required.
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
10. Regional Instruments for
Adaptation to Climate
Change by the Health
Sector134
The project aims to create mechanisms to
IADB, coIADB
broaden knowledge of current and future
financing
impacts of climate on health in the population.
Budget:
US$1,202,000
11. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the associated
capacity of key regional and national
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Spain
To strengthen transboundary cooperation
among the riparian country governments of
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay to ensure management of shared
GEF, national UNEP, OAS,
governments National
environmental
Budget:
ministries
Knowledge
2010 - ?
communicatio
n; Research
Geographic
focus (if any)
Suriname,
Venezuela
Human health
LAC Region:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Mexico,
Paraguay
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries135
In Brazil: Further information required.
12. Sustainable Management
of the Water Resources of
the la Plata Basin with
Respect to the Effects of
UNEP
Budget:
US$4,375,233
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Brazil: Further information required.
Capacity
2011–2015
building;
Policy
formation and
Watershed
management
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Paraguay and
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681
135 The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
133
134
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Climate Variability and
Change136
Objectives
Funder(s)
water resources of the River Plate in an
integrated sustainable manner, within the
context of climate variability and change,
while capitalizing on development
opportunities.
US$62.5
million
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
integration
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Uruguay
In Brazil: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
As in the assessment of current adaptation actions, providing a complete overview of all of Brazil’s proposed adaptation actions would
be very challenging considering the diverse institutes engaged in climate change adaptation research. Moreover, the recently published
Second National Communication (MCT, 2010) does not clearly define concrete adaptation actions. However, it does provide a summary
of general adaptation actions that need to be pursued across diverse areas, namely: forests, agriculture and livestock, biodiversity, semiarid, energy and water resources, coastal zones, urban areas, and human health. These are presented in Table 4.
Table 4. Future adaptation actions identified by Brazil (from MCT 2010).
Sector
Proposed Adaptation Actions
Forests
 Expand the quantity and quality of data and information needed for climate change vulnerability, impact and adaptation studies, and use methods
and tools that permit a better regional and local evaluation of forest ecosystems;
 Expand scientific knowledge on the potential impacts of climate change on forests and on the productive forest sector in general, as well as
identify the systems’ vulnerabilities;
 Monitor the economic and environmental impacts of extractive activities, emphasizing the permanent follow-up on direct and indirect
environmental impacts of logging;
 Disseminate information on already perceived impacts and their locations, and project the expected impacts of global climate change from diverse
emissions scenarios, warning about the irreversible impacts, estimating the different risks and identifying opportunities related to climate change;
 Develop technologies, methods and practices to make forests more resilient to the impacts of climate change;
 Establish methodologies and practices to define priority areas for the creation of ecological corridors in ecosystems that are sensitive to climate
change.
Agriculture and  Map agriculture and livestock sector vulnerabilities in the country;
Livestock
 Establish and implement solid ST&I programs on the evaluation of global climate change impacts on agriculture and possible adaptation measures,
considering the main agricultural and fodder crops, including significant extreme events for agriculture;
136
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Sector
Proposed Adaptation Actions










Evaluate the spatial distribution of plant diseases based on current climate conditions and global and regional climate change estimates;
Implement agroclimatological and agro-ecological zoning;
Develop and implement thermal comfort technologies for livestock production systems;
Implement integrated production systems and crop-livestock-forest systems;
Develop research on emissions of the main greenhouse gases in different areas and planting methods (direct planting x traditional planting) (pulp,
grains, sugarcane, etc.) and forests;
Evaluate the effects of growing CO2 concentrations in the soil-plant system of existing agricultural ecosystems in the country, together with
projected increases in temperature, water balance and nutrients;
Develop genetic improvements for animals and plants to deal with new climate conditions and the increase in pest and disease incidence;
Develop rural extension aimed at adapting the productive sector to the effects of global climate change, aimed at providing guidance about
adaptation measures;
Implement integrated ST&I actions aimed at food security in rural areas, especially semi-arid regions;
Implement public policies guided by modern scientific and technological knowledge in agronomy that maximize and intensify the use of biome
areas that were already altered, together with policies for adding value, via industrialization, to primary agricultural or forest products.
Biodiversity
 Survey of paleoecological, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate issues and environmental and ecological records, incorporating knowledge of the
current distribution of species and communities, reconstruction of migratory processes and evolution of threatened fauna and flora communities
in each state;
 Restructure and integrate initiatives related to biological inventories (species and genetic variability) and environmental information (study of soils
and climate and hydrological data) and implement a national program that includes the private sector;
 Support the consolidation of an organized and shared infrastructure of data (biological and abiotic) through the dynamic integration of distributed
information systems with the adoption of internationally accepted standards and protocols that facilitate the development of consistent analyses
and predictive modeling;
 Improve and develop models that are able to simulate synergic effects associated with ecosystems (climate change, fire, climate extremes, soil
use, socioeconomic aspects and ecological niche for species);
 Design and implement monitoring systems for global climate change impacts on species (native, endemic, threatened, exotic), defining the
biological indicators of the impact on species, populations and ecosystems;
 Develop models to recover degraded areas, restore ecosystems and control biological invasions;
 Implement research programs that study the role of ecological complexity and interactivity in ecosystem functioning, including ecophysiological
studies related to water and thermal stress;
 Review conservation priorities and establish ecological corridors, taking into account the impact of global climate change on biodiversity;
 Structure the National Program for Biological Resource Centers (off-site conservation, such as germplasm).
Semi-arid
 Assess the vulnerability of semi-arid areas to land use change, climate change, population increases and conflict regarding the use of natural
resources, including a risk and vulnerability map, integrating the different sectorial vulnerabilities;
 Evaluate water potential in the watersheds and hydrogeological basins in semi-arid areas;
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Sector
Proposed Adaptation Actions
 Evaluate food security in semi-arid areas;
 Conduct a multi-criteria analysis for mapping regional vocation and proposing appropriate policies for identified regional vocations;
 Develop applied research directed at evaluating global climate change impacts and mapping their risks, and identify vulnerable populations to
establish adaptation measures;
 Study the impacts on biodiversity, especially on Caatinga vegetation, riparian forests, and mountainside forests;
 Implement technological improvements for capturing, storing and treating water;
 Develop crops and agricultural systems adapted to semi-arid areas in the context of variability and global climate change;
 Define, at the northeast region state level, awareness and environmental education programs on global climate change and vulnerabilities, their
impacts and possible adaptation measures, with an emphasis on semi-arid regions.
Energy and
Water
Resources
 Elaborate climate vulnerability maps by watershed taking into account the multiple uses of water;
 Reduce generation vulnerability in the electricity system by integrating energy sources and enterprises at various scales;
 Develop models for the energy sector capable of taking into account global climate change scenarios to increase the reliability of simulation results
for the sector;
 Develop integration strategies, at the hydroelectric generation planning and operation levels, as well as water resource plans, for aspects tied to
global climate change to reduce the vulnerability of energy and water supply;
 Review operational rules for hydroelectric plants taking into account the possible impacts of global climate change;
 Review hydroelectric generation arrangements in the already installed park, mainly in relation to the multiple uses of water, whether for extreme
drought and flooding periods or to guarantee better adaptation to population and economic growth needs of watersheds;
 Assess the factors that can influence agricultural crops for alcohol and biodiesel production;
 Research and development, demonstration and deployment that speeds up production of lignocellulosic biofuels on a commercial scale within the
context of sustainable regional development;
 Establish strategies to stimulate greater continental and regional integration between watersheds and electric systems;
 Promote the National Water Resource Policy, supporting the implementation of its management instruments (such as the Water Resource Plans,
classification of water bodies, licensing and charging for the use of water) and its management system (such as Water Basin Committees and
Water Agencies);
 Promote management of water resource demand (rational use, multiple uses, reuse, saving equipment, loss control);
 Intensify and expand sector energy efficiency programs;
 Promote a savings policy and production incentives for reducing consumption and increasing energy efficiency in residential, industrial and service
sectors.
Coastal Zones
 Map and identify more susceptible regions and the evolution of their occupation, considering, among other things, urban areas, port regions,
public roads, production activities and biodiversity;
 Preserve & recover the technical records of coastal and port engineering works, including cartographic information, technical drawings, images
and reports;
 Elaborate risk studies for coastal zones, considering environmental, technical, engineering and socioeconomic aspects;
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Sector
Proposed Adaptation Actions
 Implement permanent & long-term environmental monitoring programs involving meteorological, oceanographic, geodesic & geomorphological
parameters;
 Implement an environmental monitoring system for the most threatened ecosystems (such as mangroves, coral reefs, etc.);
 Update land cartography of the coastal strip between 0 and 20 meters of altitude, with a 1 meter vertical resolution, or greater, vertical datum
compatible with nautical charts, encompassing the entire width of coastal plains from the coastline;
 Elaborate guidelines and technical norms for coastal and maritime works that incorporate possible global climate change impacts on works &
constructions;
 Develop techniques for biological improvement of mangroves, aimed at reforestation;
 Promote Integrated Coastal Management through the integration of water resource management programs and plans with those for coastal
management.
Urban Areas






Human Health
 Research aimed at developing and applying methods for analyzing population vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate on health;
 Analyze political and institutional adaptive capacity of the National Civil Defense System and other entities linked to human health;
 Update and expand available studies by incorporating data and information from other sectors that have direct relevance, such as determining
factors for the state of the population’s health (water quality/availability; food security, etc.);
 Conduct research to improve the model for morbi-mortality projections (Brazilian Climate and Health Model) with the objective of providing early
warnings to the population from changes in weather and climate conditions;
 Extend regional climate modeling studies to produce climate scenarios for shorter periods of time, aimed at creating compatibility with
socioeconomic and health scenarios;
 Identify the impacts of global climate change on human health and its physical and financial quantification, including, among others, information
on food production, endemic infectious disease treatment costs and those related to air pollution, mortality and material impacts;
 Integration between civil defense databases (municipalities and states) and medical care bodies, aimed at improvements in the quality of records
on health problems caused by extreme climate events;
 Implement systems directed at environmental, epidemiological and entomological surveillance in specific locations and situations aimed at the
early detection of signs of climate change’s biological effects (phenology, geographic distribution of species, etc).
Evaluate the vulnerability and map the areas of risk for flooding and landslides in cities;
Assess the economic, social and environmental impacts in relation to climate related events, such as floods and landslides;
Evaluate the possibilities of water supply in major cities and alternative sources for water supply during emergency and post-disaster periods;
Identify alternatives to low-income population housing in risk areas;
Reformulate the road system and sewage collection system, especially in coastal cities;
Regulate constructions through the Building Code and Director Plan, adapting them to future global climate change scenarios (rising
temperatures, intense rains and rising sea level);
 Re-naturalize (recreate micro climates, re-vegetation, drainage, revitalization of watercourses) urban areas;
 Adopt construction techniques that can adapt to higher temperatures, such as ecological roofs, buildings with natural illumination and ventilation,
etc.
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E. Assessment
Brazil’s rapid economic development has helped enable the country to build considerable internal capacity to address climate change
adaptation with significantly less international assistance than other developing countries. Its National Climate Change Program led to
the development of the National Climate Change Plan, which is legally reinforced by the National Climate Change Policy and financially
supported by the National Climate Change Fund. Brazil has invested heavily into the development and progressive refinement of
regional climate models to assess climate change impacts in Brazil and South America. With the development of the Brazilian Global
Climate System Model, Brazil will also soon be an important contributor at the international level for the assessment of global climate
change.
The Brazilian government has also enhanced the technical capacity to address climate change adaptation through the creation of social
capital via the development of research networks, such as the Brazil Global Climate Change Research Network, which aims to better
organize and synergize efforts between researchers through the dissemination of climate modeling research for use in vulnerability
analysis research. In addition to a technical approach, the Brazilian government has also invested in multi-stakeholder, public
engagement via the Brazilian Climate Change Forum, to seek feedback from the public and diverse groups on adaptation challenges and
priorities. The National Climate Change Fund provides direct financial support to support research that addresses adaptation priorities.
Moreover, the second Working Group of the Brazilian Panel on Climate Change will provide a synthesis of climate change vulnerability,
impacts and adaptation options in the First National Assessment Report, which is anticipated to be released to the public in 2012.
The numerous institutions and policies addressing climate change adaptation in Brazil confer a certain level of functional redundancy
ensuring that various mechanisms are in place so that climate change mitigation and adaptation may be integrated into policy across
various scales and sectors. However, this overlap may also present a challenge for accountability since institutional responsibility is
poorly defined, as is apparent in the National Climate Change Policy. Thus it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively adaptation
policy will progress. Moreover, even though climate change adaptation is recognized as being inevitable in both the National Climate
Change Plan and the Second National Communication, there is relatively little emphasis placed on it compared to mitigation.
The recent emphasis placed on climate modeling and assessment of climate change impacts will enable Brazil to develop effective
adaptation plans in the near future. Brazil’s strong internal capacity will also assist it with planning, implementation and evaluation of
future adaptation programming. As such Brazil is well positioned to respond to the challenge of climate change.
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References:
Alves, L.M. and Marengo, J. (2009). Assessment of regional seasonal predictability using the PRECIS regional climate modeling system
over South America. Theor Appl Climatol 100: 337-350.
Assad, E., and Pinto, H.S. (2008). Aquecimento global e a nova geografia da produção agrícola no Brasil. São Paulo: EMBRAPACEPAGRI/UNICAMP. 82p.
Centro de Desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
[CEDEPLAR/FIOCRUZ] (2008). Mudanças climáticas, migrações e saúde: cenários para o Nordeste Brasileiro, 2000-2050. Belo Horizonte:
CEDEPLAR/FIOCRUZ.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe [ECLAC] (2009). La economía del cambio climático en América Latina–Síntesis
2009. Santiago, Chile: Impreso en Naciones Unidas. 69pp.
Chou, S.C., Marengo, J.A., Lyra, A.A., Sueiro, G., Pesquero, J.F., Alves, L.M., Kay, G., Betts, R., Chagas, D.J., Gomes, J.L., et al., (2011).
Downscaling of South America present climate driven by 4-member HadCM3 runs. Climate Dynamics DOI: 10.1007/s00382-0111002-8.
Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Brazil. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/geos/br.html
Lewinsohn, T.M. and Prado, P.I. (2005). How many species are there in Brazil? Conservation Biology. 19: 619-624.
Marcovitch, J. (ed.) et al., (2010). Economia da mudança do clima no Brasil: custos e oportunidades. São Paulo: IBEP Gráfica, 82p. Retrieved from
http:// www.economiadoclima.org.br/files/biblioteca/ Economia_do_clima.pdf
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Marengo, J.A., Ambrizzi, T., da Rocha, R.P., Alves, L.M., Cuadra, S.V., Valverde, M.C., Torres, R.R., Santos, D.C., Ferraz, S.E.T.
(2009a). Future Change of Climate in South America in the late Twenty-First Century: Intercomparison of scenarios from three regional
climate models. Climate Dynamics. DOI 10.1007/s00382-009-0721-6.
Marengo, J.A., Jones, R., Alves, L.M., and Valverde, M.C. (2009b). Future change of temperature and precipitation extremes in South
America as derived from the PRECIS regional climate modeling system. International Journal of Climatology. DOI: 10.1002/joc.
Marengo, J.A., Nobre, C.A., Salati, E., and Ambrizzi, T. (2007). Caracterização do clima atual e definição das Alterações climáticas para
o território brasileiro ao longo do Século XXI. Brasilia: Ministerio do Meio Ambiente. 54pp. Retrieved from
http://mudancasclimaticas.cptec.inpe.br/~rmclima/pdfs/prod_probio/Sumario.pdf
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia [MCT] (2004). Brazil’s Initial National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. Brasilia: Ministry of Science and Technology. 275pp. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/brazilnc1e.pdf
Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia [MCT] (2010). Brazil. Second National Communication of Brazil to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change. Brasilia: Secretaria de Políticas y Programas de Investigación y Desarrollo. Retrieved from
http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/326984.html
Parry, M.L., Canziani, O.F., Palutikof, J.P., van der Linden P.J., and Hanson, C.E. (Eds) (2007). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, adaptation
and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, UK:
Cambridge University Press. 976pp. Retrieved from
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_wg2_report_impacts_adaptation_and_vulner
ability.htm
Pesquero, J.F., Chou, S.C., Nobre, C.A., and Marengo, J.A. (2010). Climate downscaling over South America for 1961-1970 using the
Eta Model. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 99: 75-93.
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Pezza, A.B. and Simmonds, I. (2005). The First South Atlantic Hurricane: Unprecedented blocking, low shear, and climate change.
Geophys. Res. Lett., 32: L15712, doi:10.1029/2005GL023390. Retrieved from
http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/~apezza/climate.dir/papers/2005/Pezza_Simmonds_2005.GRL.pdf
Schaeffer, R., Szklo, A.S., de Lucena, A.F.P., de Souza, R.R., Borba, B.S.M.C., da Costa, I.V.L., Júnior, A.O.P., da Cunha, S.H. (2008).
Mudanças Climáticas e Segurança Energética no Brasil. Rio De Janeiro: COPPE-UFRJ. 35pp. Retrieved from
http://mudancasclimaticas.cptec.inpe.br/~rmclima/pdfs/destaques/CLIMA_E_SEGURANCA-EnERGETICA_FINAL.pdf
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4.0 Chile
BMU
CATIE
Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorischerheit (German Ministry for the Environment)
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
CIFOR
Center for International Forestry Research
CONAMA
Comisión Nacional del Medio Ambiente (National Environment Commission)
ECLAC
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ECPA
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
EU
European Union
FONTAGRO El Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology)
IADB
Inter-American Development Bank
INIA
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (National Institute of Agricultural Research)
INTA
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina) (National Institute of Agricultural Technology)
MMA
Ministerio del Ambiente (Ministry of Environment)
RIOCC
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Climate projections for Chile suggest that its mean annual temperatures could increase by 1° to 4°C degrees by the end of this century,
with higher increases expected for the north and the Andes. Rainfall is projected to decrease in many areas of Chile; however, the degree
to which this will occur varies depending on the region and the scenarios (CONAMA, 2008). These projected changes will likely
augment the existing climate hazards Chile faces due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which in its El Niño phase brings heavy rains
in Chile, whereas La Niña leads to drought (CONAMA, 2008).
Through Chile’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it
examined the vulnerability of its agriculture, forests, water, coastal areas and fishing resources to the impacts of climate (CONAMA,
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
2000). Through its National Climate Change Action Plan (CONAMA, 2008), Chile has since prioritized the following sectors for
adaptation action: water; biodiversity; agriculture, livestock and forestry; energy; infrastructure and coastal urban zones; fisheries; and
health. Within these sectors, lines of action proposed by the National Climate Change Action Plan (CONAMA, 2008) are:
 Freshwater: evaluate climate change effects on the hydrological cycle; update water balances in critical areas; project future
availability of water for consumption and production; project hydrological trends; design aquifer monitoring systems; advance
engagements made in the National Strategy for Integrated Watershed Management; execute study on water use and efficiency;
apply water balance models to non-regulated watersheds; create an environmental research center for the northern desert, with a
focus on water; build desalination plants in northern Chile; put laws on irrigation and canal rehabilitation into practice; execute
studies on oceanography and meteorology of marine biodiversity and submarine morphology; and build a boat for research on
marine biodiversity and other topics.
 Biodiversity: Evaluate the effects of climate change in areas of high environmental value and interest; analyze effects of climate
change on species; initiate the rehabilitation of degraded systems; and develop a project on terrestrial influence of climate
change.
 Agriculture, livestock and forestry: Analyze climate vulnerability and adaptation; systematize policies and strategies; evaluate
socioeconomic impacts of climate change; identify adaptation measures and projects, in particular for small-scale farmers;
develop a agro-climatic risk management system; execute a genetic improvement program to develop adapted agricultural and
forestry varieties; and promote efficient water use in agriculture.
 Energy: Evaluate hydrological vulnerability of the energy sector and its effects on energy security in Chile.
 Infrastructure and coastal urban zones: Elaborate impact scenarios for susceptible infrastructure in riparian and coastal zones;
economic evaluation of impacts and preventive measures; elaborate criteria for the adaptation of regional emergency plans;
adjust design of new bridges and hydrologic infrastructure; increase irrigate surface by 50 per cent through the construction of
new dams; expand irrigation and water policies to include small dams, artificial aquifer recharge, canal refurbishment and glacier
management; expand infrastructure and barrier program in riparian and coastal areas; improve capacity for prediction and
response of hydrologic emergencies, incorporate results of impact studies into urban planning in coastal and riparian zones; and
improve linkages between urban planning tools and studies on coasts and watersheds conducted by other agencies.
 Fisheries: Model distribution and abundance of marine species in accordance with climate change scenarios; and elaborate impact
scenarios on extraction of marine resources.
 Health: Elaborate impact scenarios; elaborate criteria for adaptation; economic evaluation of preventive measures; strengthen the
capacities of health staff in the context of changing needs; identify vulnerable areas and population; strengthen monitoring of
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environmental health variables; interact with other sectors to identify health impacts of climate change; strengthen and create
new capacities to face yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria and other vector diseases; and incorporate climate change impacts
on health into risk management by adapting monitoring systems and emergency plans.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
To support its response to climate change, a National Advisory Committee on Global Change was established by in 1996. It was first
headed by the National Environment Committee (CONAMA) and since 2010 by the newly created Ministry for Environment (MMA).
Its understanding of climate change was furthered by the publication of Chile’s National Communication to the UNFCCC in 2000, and
its response planning by the creation of Chile’s National Climate Change Strategy in 2006. Adaptation is one of the strategy’s three
strategic themes. Three objectives fall under this theme: environmental and socioeconomic impact assessment, definition of adaptation
measures and execution of and follow-up on adaptation measures The strategy identifies key challenges as being important knowledge
gaps in terms of vulnerability and adaptation, as well as the need to integrate adaptation into development plans at different levels.
(CONAMA, 2006).
With a view to specifying the strategic lines of the National Climate Change Strategy, CONAMA (2008) has also elaborated a National
Climate Change Action Plan for the period 2008 to 2012. It describes climate scenarios and vulnerability assessments, and contains a
detailed list of short- and medium-term actions to address knowledge and capacity gaps in adaptation. It also calls for a national
adaptation plan, which has not yet been published. Chile’s current government plan does not refer to adaptation to climate change
(Gobierno de Chile, 2011).
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
1.
First National Communication to
the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
CONAMA
Submitted in
2000
Agriculture, forests, water,
coastal areas and fishing.
Chile’s First National Communication provides
results on vulnerability assessments for a number
of sectors.
2.
National Climate Change Strategy CONAMA; National
Advisory Committee on
Global Change
Published in
2006
Multi-sectoral
The strategy describes achievements,
opportunities and challenges for Chile in the
context of climate change. Adaptation is one of
three strategic themes.
3.
National Climate Change Action
Published in
Freshwater supply; biodiversity; This detailed plan lays out climate scenarios and
CONAMA
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Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Plan
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
2008
agriculture, livestock and
forestry; energy; infrastructure
and coastal urban zones;
marine fisheries; and human
health
vulnerability assessment for various sectors and
describes specific lines of adaptation action for
each sector.
C. Current Adaptation Action
A relatively low number of adaptation projects are being implemented in Chile compared to other South American countries. Most of
them are research-oriented and analyze impacts and potential adaptation options in sectors such as energy, freshwater supply, urban
areas, agriculture, land-use and human health, as well as general economic analysis. The majority of projects emphasize assessment of
vulnerabilities, identification of adaptation strategies, capacity building and research. Little action involving concrete adaptation action
exists to date. All except two of the projects in which Chile is involved are regional or global in nature.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Chile
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Develop climate change adaptation measures
for the Metropolitan Region of Santiago de
Chile in the key areas of energy, water and
land use, through the following steps: climate
change impact; develop, evaluate, prioritize
and plan to implement climate adaptation
measures; and spread results to other cities in
the Latin America region through a regional
learning network.
BMU
(through
International
Climate
Initiative)
CONAMA,
ECLAC,
Universities in
Germany and
Chile
Ministry for
Public Works
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if
any)
Assessment; 2009–2012
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Energy;
Freshwater
supply; Urban
areas
Santiago de
Chile
Research
Freshwater
supply
Glaciers and
watersheds
National Action
1.
2.
137
Developing a Climate
Adaptation Strategy for
Santiago de Chile and a
Network of Megacities137
Climate Change Action
Plan for Glacier
Budget:
US$2.14
million
Evaluation of the economic impact of glacier IADB, comelting and develop a monitoring plan for the financing
2010 - ?
BMU, http://www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de/en/projects?p=3&d=507
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Conservation
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if
any)
Freshwater
supply;
Agriculture
Regional:
Argentina,
Chile
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Chile
National Glacier Strategy.
Budget:
US$212,000
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
3.
4.
5.
Climate Change and
Irrigated Agriculture:
Towards a better
understanding of driving
forces and feedbacks
between decision makers
and biophysical
environments and their
impacts on hydrological
cycle and land use138
Evaluate impacts of climate and land use
change on irrigated agriculture and
characterize feedbacks between environment
and adaptation decisions; assess changes in
water demands and irrigation needs at the
regional level in response to changes in hydrometeorological conditions and land use;
analyze the vulnerability of water and land use
system; identify and evaluate adaptation
opportunities for decision makers
InterAmerican
Institute for
Global
Change
Research
Pontificia
Universidad
Catolica de
Chile; Cornell
University;
Miami
Rosenstrel
Budget: US$7 School; INTA
million
Coming Down the
Mountain: Understanding
the vulnerability of
Andean communities to
hydroclimatologic
variability and global
environmental change139
To identify and characterize vulnerabilities of
specific stakeholders to climate variability and
climate-induced water problems; evaluate
policies and capacities of water management
institutions to reduce the vulnerabilities of
stakeholders; and analyze results of objectives
1 and 2 relative to regional climate change
scenarios and future hydrological conditions.
InterUniversity of
American
Regina
Institute for (Canada)
Global
Change
Research
Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America140
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
Policy
2007–2011
formation and
implementati
on
In Chile: Analysis takes place in the Rio Maipo River Basin.
Research;
Capacity
building
2007–2011
In Chile: Research in Chile takes place in the Elqui River Basin.
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone
Policy
management;
formation and
Government
integration
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_3.pdf
IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/SGP-HD/Factsheets/SGP-HD_4.pdf
140 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
138
139
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Geographic
focus (if
any)
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Chile: Further information needed.
6.
Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas141
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
ECLAC,
Capacity
2009–2011
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
University of
building;
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Cantabria,
Assessment;
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
national
Knowledge
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
counterparts communicatio
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
project “Economics of Climate Change in
In Chile: Further information required.
Central America - Phase II”142 funded by IADB,
UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
Coastal zone
management
Most RIOCC
countries143
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay
and
Venezuela
7.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”144
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
143 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
144 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
141
142
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Geographic
focus (if
any)
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
and
Venezuela
In Chile: Further information required.
8.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica145
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
and
Venezuela
Agriculture
Regional:
Chile, Peru,
In Chile: Further information required.
9.
145
Adaptation to Climate
Change of Wheat and
The objective of this program is to contribute
to the improvement of the adaptive capacity
IADB, cofinancing
Instituto de
Research;
Investigaciones Capacity
2010 - ?
Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Potatoes Productive
Systems146
10. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
of the region, through an increase in the
Agropecuarios building
competitiveness of the productive systems of Budget:
potato and wheat to climate change in South US$920,000
America. Specifically, the project will support In Chile: Further information required.
the selection and development of genotypes
with increased tolerance to drought and high
temperatures. The project is being led and
implemented by local institutions.
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the associated
capacity of key regional and national
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Spain
Budget:
US$4,375,233
UNEP
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Geographic
focus (if
any)
Uruguay
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries147
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Chile: Further information needed.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
In the future, Chile expects to benefit from a commitment by the United States to invest around US$1 million in adaptation in
Argentina, Peru and Chile through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. As well, Argentina is likely to participate in the
project “Impacts of Climate Change in Agricultural Zones and Relevant Sectors in Chile Argentina and Dominican Republic: Economy,
production, water requirements, adaptation and policy orientation” supported by the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology.
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1657
The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
146
147
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions
Name
1.
Objectives
Energy and Climate
Partnership of the Americas
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
Regional:
Argentina, Chile, Peru
Notes: Announced as part of the United States’ Fast Start Financing, this
initiative will provide approximately $1 million for adaptation to climate change.
No further details are known.
2. Impacts of Climate Change in
Agricultural Zones and
Relevant Sectors in Chile
Argentina and Dominican
Republic: Economy,
production, water
requirements, adaptation
and policy orientation
Contribute to the competitiveness and food
Policy formation and
Agriculture
LAC Region:
security of the agricultural sector in Argentina,
integration
Argentina, Chile, Dominican
Chile and Dominican Republic through new
Republic
knowledge generated by the simulation and
Notes: Call for bids issued in 2010 (FONTAGRO, 2010)
evaluation of economic and productive impacts of
climate change, proposition of adaptation
measures by sector and resulting policy
recommendations and support strategies.
E. Assessment
Climate change has been recognized in Chile as an important topic. In 2006, a climate change strategy was published, and a detailed
action plan followed two years later. This plan identifies priority sectors for adaptation and proposes lines of action for each. However,
the recommendations often relate to institutional arrangements or further vulnerability and adaptation assessments, but rarely to specific
actions, suggesting that the knowledge basis for adaptation action is largely missing.
The country’s relatively low number of current adaptation projects tend to address identified sectoral priorities such as agriculture, water
and coastal resources. Most are research projects and their outcomes therefore may improve the thin knowledge basis for concrete
adaptation action in the country. It is also worth noting that some of the prioritized sectors have been left almost completely
unaddressed so far, including fisheries, forests and ecosystems. Nor have areas such as the gender dimensions of climate change or
urban systems been addressed through targeted adaptation projects in Chile. In sum, although Chile has a sound policy framework and
is slowly building up the basis for targeted adaptation action, there is a long way to go from identifying key climate risks to developing
and implementing an action plan for concrete adaptation measures in vulnerable sectors.
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References:
CONAMA (2000). Chile’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
CONAMA (2006). Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático.
CONAMA (2008). Plan de Acción Nacional de Cambio Climático. 2008–2012.
El Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria [FONTAGRO] (2010). Perfil de Proyecto Convocatoria Cambio Climático
FONTAGRO 2010. Retrieved from http://www.fontagro.org/calls/2010/evalperfiles/10012.pdf
Gobierno de Chile (2011). Programa de Gobierno. Retrieved from http://www.gob.cl/programa-de-gobierno/
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5.0 Colombia
BMZ
CAN
CATIE
CIFOR
DNP
ECPA
EU
GEF
GIZ
IADB
IAI
IDEAM
INIA
OAS
RIOCC
UNCDF
UNDP
UNEP
UNITAR
UNOPS
USDS
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
Comunidad Andina (Andean Community of Nations)
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
National Development Plan
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
European Union
Global Environment Facility
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
Instituto de la Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (Institute for Hydrology, Meteorology, and
Environmental Studies)
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Organization of American States
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
United Nations Capital Development Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
United Nations Office for Project Services
United States Department of State
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Colombia currently experiences about 1.7 disasters per year (PreventionWeb, 2011), including droughts (often related to the El Niño
phenomenon) and floods (related to La Niña). In this century, most of the territory is expected to experience temperature increases of
2.4°C by the period 2041 to 2070, according to the average of several scenarios. The highest increases in temperature are expected in the
highlands. Rainfall is expected to increase in coastal areas, the Amazon and near the city of Medellín, but to decrease in most of the
highland areas (República de Colombia, 2010).
National priority areas for adaptation in Colombia have been identified in several key documents:
 Colombia’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, submitted in
2001, address the impacts of climate change on a number of sectors, including coastal zones and islands, freshwater, mountain
ecosystems, glacial zones, agriculture and human health. It also proposes a range of adaptation measures for the health sector,
including public education, monitoring and evaluation, interventions in the ecosystem, biological control, chemical control and
infrastructure development (República de Colombia, 2001).
 A strategic document on climate change published by the Ministry of the Environment in 2002 highlights water, agriculture and
health as key areas for action (Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, 2002)
 The Second National Communication published in 2010 mentions water, biodiversity, coasts and the energy and farming sectors
in particular in the context of adaptation. It does not propose concrete adaptation actions, but it highlights the importance of
technology transfer and research, risk management, land use management, impact reduction, community-based adaptation,
institutional change, biodiversity protection and valuation, as well as cooperation and adaptation finance (República de
Colombia, 2010).
 Colombia’s National Development Plan (2010-2014), referring to the National Communications, identifies human settlements,
water, health, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, ecosystems and biodiversity as the most vulnerable sectors. It only mentions the
provision of green public spaces in cities as a specific climate adaptation measure, but calls for a general prioritization of
adaptation actions (NDP, 2010).
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Colombia has made progress with respect to the planning for the impacts of adaptation and integrating adaptation concerns into
national policy processes. Its National Development Plan (2010–2014) mentions adaptation on several occasions: as a cross-cutting issue
in the introduction; the innovation, agriculture and transport chapters; and most prominently in the chapter on environmental
sustainability and risk prevention. Adaptation is not only dealt with in a separate sub-chapter on climate change, but also in relation to
biodiversity and urban development. The plan also states that sectors should start to formulate their own climate change adaptation
plans, and that territories will receive support from the central government to prepare their territorial climate change adaptation plans.
Guidelines for a National Climate Change Policy were elaborated in 2002, but they never became a formal public policy document for
implementation. An official National Climate Change Policy was adopted by Colombia in July 2011.
In its Second National Communication (República de Colombia, 2010), Colombia proposes the elaboration of a National Adaptation to
Climate Change Plan (PNACC)that would focus on water, implementation of adaptation measures, extreme events and vulnerability
evaluation. The National Department of Planning is currently leading the formulation of the PNACC, with the support of the Ministry
of Environment and the Institute for Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). This Plan will consist of Sectoral
and Territorial Adaptation plans.
In addition, a national Adaptation Fund was established by decree in late 2010 (DNP, 2011). Formation of this fund was spurred by the
last La Niña period, the impacts of which affected more than three million people and devastated infrastructure and crops throughout
most of the country.
The Institute for Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies, a part of the Ministry for Environment, Housing and Land
Planning, is the central government agency responsible for climate change. A new institutional arrangement for climate change at the
national level is being set up as defined in the National Climate Change Policy document (adopted in July 2011). It includes a National
System for Climate Change, with an Executive Council on Climate Change, and four thematic inter-institutional commissions.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
Responsible
1.
First National Communication to
the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
IDEAM
2.
Guidelines for a Climate Change
Policy
3.
Submitted in
2001
Multi-sectoral
The First National Communication presents short vulnerability
assessments for a range of sectors as well as adaptation options
for malaria and dengue.
Ministry for
Published in
Environment, National 2002
Department for
Planning
Multi-sectoral
The document aims at guiding the elaboration of a climate
change policy by highlighting general lines of action. For
adaptation, it states the goal should be to improve adaptive
capacities in key sectors such as water, agriculture and health.
Second National Communication
to the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
IDEAM
Submitted in
2010
Multi-sectoral
The Second National Communication focuses on detailed climate
information, vulnerability assessments in some sectors, and
guidelines for climate change adaptation, as well as a description
of key adaptation activities.
4.
National Development Plan 20102014
Government of
Colombia
Published in 2010 Multi-sectoral
5.
Climate Change National Policy
Ministry for
Adopted in 2011
Environment, National
Department for
Planning
Institutional
arrangements
The current development plan mentions adaptation to climate
change on several occasions under the header environmental
sustainability and risk prevention. It considers human
settlements, water, health, infrastructure, energy, agriculture,
ecosystems and biodiversity as key sectors for adaptation and
calls for the elaboration of a National Adaptation Strategy.
The policy establishes a National System for Climate Change, with
an Executive Council on Climate Change, and four thematic inter
institutional commissions.
C. Current Adaptation Action
Colombia is attracting a comparatively high number of national and regional climate change adaptation projects, many of which are
focused on research and/or capacity building. Several programs assist the government in developing climate change strategies and the
respective institutional capacities. Beyond these, the sectoral focuses of most projects are freshwater resources, human health,
agriculture and coastal zone management.
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Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Colombia
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Improve climate information and to support
adaptation in high mountain ecosystems,
continental island and ocean island.
GEF, World
Bank
Several
government
ministries and
agencies
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
National Action
1.
National Pilot Project for
Adaptation to Climate
Change: High mountain
ecosystems, Colombia's
Caribbean insular areas
and human health148
Budget:
US$6.17
million
Field
2006–2011
implementati
on; Capacity
building
Human health; Highlands,
Ecosystem
rivers, islands
conservation;
Climate
information
services
2.
Program to Support the
Program to support the design and
Development of a Climate implementation of a Climate Change
Change Agenda149
Adaptation and Mitigation strategy for
Colombia. The components to be included are:
a) potential to mitigate impacts in transport,
energy, agriculture, livestock and forestry
sectors, b) biofuels development, c)
prevention and mitigation of natural disasters
and d) institutional strengthening.
IADB
Government of Capacity
2009 - ?
Colombia
building;
Budget:
Policy
US$$250
formation and
million (loan)
integration
Government
3.
Support to the
Institutional
Strengthening of the
MAVDT in Climate
Change150
IADB, cofinancing
Financial Fund
of
Development
Budget:
Projects
US$1,125,000 (Fonade)
Capacity
2010 - ?
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government
SantanderBoyacá,
others
4.
Integration of Ecosystems Pilot program involving participatory
and Adaptation to Climate construction of pilot water storage, handling
Spain,
Various
through the ministries and
Field
implementati
Freshwater
supply;
Municipalities
of Puracé and
This Technical Cooperation will support the
strengthening of the institutional capacity of
the government to advance in an integrated
manner in its climate change agenda. The
project is specifically aimed at supporting of
the Ministry for Environment, Housing and
Territorial Development (MAVDT) in the
preparation of climate change related
activities.
GEF, http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=2019
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=CO-L1063
150 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=CO-T1126
148
149
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Change in the Colombian
Massif151
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
and treatment models, and alternative rural
incomes, improve food production and
nutrition.
MDG
government
Achievement agencies
Fund
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
on; Capacity
building
Agriculture
Popayán
Capacity
building;
Research
Freshwater
supply
Andes
(potentially
other Andean
countries,
but only
Colombia is
mentioned
specifically)
Budget:
US$$4 million
5.
Energy and Climate
Partnership of the
Americas (ECPA)–Tropical
Glacier Retreat
Adaptation152
ECPA program to support adaptation work in USDS
the Andean region to address the impact of
tropical glacier retreat in mountainous and
Budget:
glacial areas as a result of climate change. The US$$1 million
initiative seeks to build capacity for water
resource management, improve citizens’
ability to make long-range plans to adapt to
climate change, and support research on
hydrological cycles and glacier dynamics, so
that better policy decisions can be made
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
6.
Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 153
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Regional:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Colombia: Further information required.
MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/integrationecosystemsandadaptationclimatechangecolombianmassif
USDS, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/164681.pdf
153 IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
151
152
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
7.
The aim of this program was for the Red Cross
and Red Crescent National Societies in
countries particularly vulnerable to climate
change to gain a better understanding of
climate change and its impacts to identify
country-specific adaptation measures in line
with risks. Activities could include organizing a
workshop on risks, assessment of risks
through preparation of a background
document, capacity building programs, and
developing climate change resilient plans.
Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Climate
Centre
National Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Societies
Phase 1:
Disaster risk
2006–2009 management
Phase 2:
ongoing
Preparedness for Climate
Change154
Capacity
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Global
project:
39 countries
South
American
participants
in Phase 1:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Guyana
In Colombia: Further information required.
8.
Climate Change in a Living
Landscape: Vulnerability
and Adaptation in the
Eastern Cordillera Real of
Colombia, Ecuador and
Peru155
Improve regional coordination, maintain the
EU
integrity of natural ecosystems and promote
sustainable livelihoods through targeted
action that contribute to reduce major
conservation threats, including climate change
and the urgent need to develop adaptation
strategies.
WWF, national Policy
?–2010
partners
formation and
integration
Agriculture;
Ecosystem
conservation
Regional:
Eastern
Cordillera
Real linking
Colombia,
Ecuador and
Peru
In Colombia: Research focused on Putumayo and Caquetá watersheds in the Eastern
Cordillera Real
9.
Capacity Development for
Policy Makers: Addressing
climate change in key
sectors156
The project is a targeted capacity development
initiative that supports two goals: 1. To
increase national capacity to co-ordinate
Ministerial views for more effective
participation in the UNFCCC process; and 2. To
United
Nations
Foundation
and the
Government
UNDP is
implementing
the project in
partnership
with the
Capacity
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral
building;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Global:
20
countries157
including
Colombia,
IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme
WWF, http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/colombia/?183441/Cordillera-Real-Oriental-un-paisaje-vivo
156 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/
157 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay.
154
155
111
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
assess investment and financial flows to
address climate change for selected key
sectors. As a result of this project, both the
technical understanding of key climate change
issues and their economic and policy
implications within the context of the
Convention will be enhanced.
s of
Switzerland,
Finland,
Spain and
Norway.
UNFCCC
Secretariat,
International
Strategy for
Disaster
Reduction and
the United
Nations
Environment
Programme
$6,953,413
USD
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru and
Uruguay
In Colombia: The focus sector is agriculture.158
10. Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”159
158
159
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/colombia-en.aspx
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
112
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
In Colombia: see description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy Makers to
Address Climate Change.”
11. Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas160
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
ECLAC,
Capacity
2009–2011
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
University of
building;
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Cantabria,
Assessment;
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
national
Knowledge
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
counterparts communicatio
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
In Colombia: Further information required.
project “Economics of Climate Change in
Central America - Phase II”161 funded by IADB,
UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
Coastal zone
management
Most RIOCC
countries162
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
12. Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica163
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
162 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
163 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
160
161
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
In Colombia: Further information required.
13. Integrating Climate
Change Risks and
Opportunities into
National Development
Processes and United
Nations Country
Programming164
The purpose of the project was to develop the
capacity of UN staff and Government
stakeholders to integrate risks and
opportunities of climate change in national
programming and development policies, such
as their United Nations Development
Assistance Framework, sectoral programs, and
development plans.
14. Territorial Approach to
Improve the resilience to climate change and
165
Climate Change (TACC)
reduce the carbon footprint in sub-national
territories in developing and transition
countries through: (1) “Access to up-to-date
climate change science, tolls and good
practices; (2) creating a partnership and
governance framework to address crosssectoral nature of climate change; and (3)
developing a climate change and draft a
climate change strategy and action plan to
ensure a programmatic approach to climate
change”. The main activities include capacity
building in 500 sub-national territories
worldwide and implementing plans in 50 of
them.
15. Regional Instruments for
Adaptation to Climate
Change by the Health
Sector166
Spain
UNDP
Budget:
US$1.2
million
Policy
2008–2010 Government
formation and (closed)
integration
Global:
Cape Verde,
Colombia, El
Salvador,
Malawi and
Nicaragua
In Colombia: Further information required.
UNDP
UNEP; UNDP; Capacity
2009 - ?
UNITAR; UNbuilding;
Habitat; UNCDF Knowledge
communicatio
n
Government
Global:
Albania,
Algeria,
Colombia,
Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal,
Uganda,
Uruguay and
others
In Colombia: The project is being implemented in the Capital Area (Bogotá-Cundinamarca)
The project aims to create mechanisms to
IADB, coIADB
broaden knowledge of current and future
financing
impacts of climate on health in the population.
Budget:
US$1,202,000
Knowledge
2010 - ?
communicatio
n; Research
Human health
LAC Region:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Mexico,
Paraguay
http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/integrating-climate-change-risks-and-opportunities-national-development-processes-and-unite-2 and UNDP,
http://www.undp.org/climatechange/integrating_cc_risks.shtml
165 UNDP, http://www.unep.org/roap/Activities/ClimateChange/TerritorialApproachtoClimateChangeTACC/tabid/6844/Default.aspx
166 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681
164
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
2011–2013
Biodiversity
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
Capacity
2011–2016
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Colombia: Further information required.
16. Climate Change Impacts
on Biodiversity in the
Tropical Andes: Climate
risk, vulnerability and
decision making tools for
the planning of
conservation167
“To provide tropical Andean countries with a
standard methodology for estimating climate
change risks for biodiversity at local scales that
can be used to design adaptation measures
tailored to particular conditions. Case studies
will be conducted during three years (2011 2013) on short- to medium-term climate
change trends, biodiversity patterns and
gradients and the vulnerability of species and
ecosystems to climate and land use changes in
two cross-border areas: a) the Pacific slope of
the Northern Andes, in the border region of
Colombia and Ecuador; [and] (b) the
Amazonian slope of the Central Andes, in the
border region of Bolivia and Peru.”
John D. and IAI
Catherine T.
MacArthur
Foundation
17. Regional Program to
Adaptation to Climate
Change in Andes Region
The project seeks to promote integrated
measures of adaptation to climate change in
the agricultural sector with the countries
members of the CAN. It will strengthen
national food security strategies in the context
of climate change adaptation and institutions
in the agriculture sector.
German
GIZ, CAN,
Federal
Ministries
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ)
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
18. Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America168
167
168
Research
In Colombia: Further information required.
In Colombia: Further information required.
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone
Policy
management;
formation and
Government
integration
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
IAI, http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=68
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Geographic
focus (if any)
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Colombia: Further information required.
19. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
20. Climate Change and
Biodiversity Information in
the Tropical Andes
(Información de Cambio
Climático y Biodiversidad
para el
Fomento de Políticas
Públicas de Conservación y
Adaptación en
la Región de los Andes
Tropicales)170
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the associated
capacity of key regional and national
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Spain
The objective of the project is to create a
regional system of public information on
climate change and its potential impact on the
biodiversity of the tropical Andes. The aim of
the project is to contribute in the generation
of public policies and the insertion of
biodiversity conservation into the national
climate change plans of participant countries.
IADB; cofinancing
UNEP
Budget:
US$4,375,233
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries169
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Colombia: Further information required.
Budget:
US$878,720
Centro
Internacional
para la
Investigación
del Fenómeno
de El Niño
Policy
2011 - ?
formation and
integration;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Biodiversity;
Civil society
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Colombia: Further information required.
The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
170 IADB, http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35427915
169
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
Colombia has identified a number of adaptation projects for implementation in the future, as noted in Table 3. This includes seeking
funding from the IADB to support implementation of the country’s PNACC and a project on disaster risk management and adaptation.
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Colombia
Name
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
1.
Seeks to influence the processes of
environmental, territorial and sectorial
planning, to make informed decisions, taking
into account the climate drivers and
projections, thus effectively reducing the
vulnerability of populations, ecosystems and
sectors, and increasing overall social,
economic and ecosystem resilience to respond
to climate events and weather disasters.
Policy formation and
integration
Government
National
2. Flood risk management for the
middle and lower Watershed
“Magdalena River”
Implementation of adaptation activities to
reduce vulnerability of communities to flood
risks.
Field implementation
3. Coastal erosion mitigation
Implementation of activities to reduce the
impacts of erosion caused by sea level rise.
Field implementation
National Adaptation Climate
Change Plan (PNACC)
Notes: IADB is anticipated to provide a loan of over US$50 million to support this
initiative.
Watershed management
Magdalena Watershed
Coastal zone
management
Coastal area
Notes:
Notes:
4. Restoration, recovery and
rehabilitation of ecosystems in
the Magdalena-Cauca macro
watershed and the Caribbean
Implementation of adaptation activities to
increase resilience of ecosystems to climate
change impacts.
Field implementation
5. Environmental Management of
the Colombian Massif
Implementation of adaptation activities to
increase resilience of ecosystems to climate
change impacts.
Field implementation
6. Definition of the National
Ecological Structure of the
Development of research activities to define
strategic areas and ecosystems conservation
Research
Coastal zone
Magdalena–Cauca
management; Ecosystem
conservation
Notes:
Ecosystem conservation
Colombian Massif
Ecosystem conservation
National
Notes:
Notes:
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Nation
Objectives
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
Field implementation
Watershed management
Ubaté - Suarez
under adaptation to climate change measures.
7. Environmental management
strategy for the basin Ubaté
Suarez - Laguna Fuquene
8. PBP-Disaster Risk Management
and Climate Change Adaptation
Program
Type of project
Notes:
Not available
Loan Operation
Notes: IADB is anticipated to provide a loan of over US$50 million to support this
initiative.
9. Project on Adaptation to Climate Implementation of adaptation and mitigation Capacity building,
Change in the region of the
activities in the metropolitan region of Bogotá, research.
Bogotá Corridor
focused on mountain ecosystems.
Notes:
Mountain Ecosystems.
Bogotá Metropolitan
Region.
E. Assessment
Climate change has received a lot of attention in Colombia and the importance of adaptation has been widely acknowledge at the highest
political levels, emphasized by the ample reference to adaptation in the current National Development Plan. The National Development
Plan calls for an adaptation policy, which could help to identify priority areas more clearly, and specify and prioritize adaptation
measures for these areas. As well, many projects are currently being implemented, and they tend to address some of the priorities
identified in the two National Communications the country has submitted to date. Gaps in programming appear to exist with respect to
human settlements, energy, the gender dimensions of climate change, and ecosystem conservation.
References:
Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (2002). Lineamientos de Política de Cambio Climático.
National Development Plan [NDP] (2011). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo. Retrieved from
http://www.dnp.gov.co/PortalWeb/PND/PND20102014.aspx
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
República de Colombia (2001). Primera Comunicación Nacional ante la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio
Climático.
República de Colombia (2010). Segunda Comunicación Nacional ante la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio
Climático.
PreventionWeb (2011). Retrieved from www.preventionweb.net
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
6.0 Ecuador
CAN
CATIE
CIFOR
ECLAC
ENSO
GEF
GIZ
IADB
IAI
INIA
OAS
PACC
RIOCC
SCCF
UNFCCC
UNDP
UNEP
USAID
WWF
Comunidad Andina (Andean Community of Nations)
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
El Niño Southern Oscillation
Global Environment Facility
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Organization of American States
Programa de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (Adaptation to Climate Change Programme)
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Special Climate Change Fund
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United States Agency for International Development
World Wildlife Fund
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Climate variability in Ecuador is currently largely associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. El Niño years bring
much more rainfall and floods in the coastal plains and western Andes, but the northwestern and eastern parts can experience droughts
at the same time (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2000). In the decades to come, models used in development of Ecuador’s First National
Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change project that mean annual temperatures will increase
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
by 1° to 2°C. Greater uncertainty exists with projected changes in average rainfall, with models ranging from a decline of 15 per cent to
an increase of 20 per cent (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2000). Although a timeline for these changes is not indicated in the National
Communication, subsequent vulnerability studies suggest the horizon is 2030.
Ecuador’s First National Communication also presents vulnerability assessments for agriculture, forestry, coastal zones and water. Along
with each sectoral vulnerability assessment, it suggests a number of adaptation measures for each sector (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2000):
 Agriculture: Agro-ecological zoning and adjusted seasons for sowing and harvesting; introduction of higher-yield varieties;
irrigation; suitable use of fertilizers; and pest and disease control systems.
 Forestry: Protective forest plantations; sustainable management of production plantations; integrated rural development in
watersheds; agroforestry and woodland/grazing land systems; forestry protection against pests and disease; protection against
forest fires; sustainable management of native forests; sustainable management of fragile ecosystems; and a comprehensive antidesertification program.
 Coastal zones: Establishment of a biophysical monitoring and climate change surveillance program; adjustment of the sewage
system for the city of Guayaquil; adjustment of a clean water system for the city of Guayaquil; mangrove protection and
reforestation; adjustment of shrimp farming systems; establishment of withdrawal lines, buffer zones and urban protection
borders; adjustment and maintenance of road drainage systems; and the hydraulic fill for densely populated urban zones.
Notable, no measures for the water sector were identified.
The National Communication notes that implementation of its proposed measures will require institutional and technological
cooperation, training and information, as well as financial resources. It also recommends that vulnerability assessments be undertaken
for sectors such as health, fishing and fragile ecosystems, including mountain zones and those with erosion problems and droughts.
Further assessments are suggested for agriculture and coastal areas, and an extension of the adaptation analysis to the water sector is
proposed.
Beyond the National Communication, the Ecuador’s climate change policy proposed in the National Development Plan highlights
fragile ecosystems such as peat lands, mangroves and wetlands, infrastructure and food security in the context of adaptation (República
del Ecuador, 2009).
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Ecuador’s National Development Plan 2009–2013 (República del Ecuador, 2009) mentions climate change adaptation and mitigation as one
of seven policies under the objective rights of nature and promotion of a healthy and sustainable environment. The policy includes the
formation of adaptation programs, with particular attention given to: ecosystems; emergency prevention programs for infrastructure;
adaptation initiatives related to energy and food security; vulnerability and impact assessments; and technology transfer. The plan also
contains quantitative goals: by 2013, the percentage of high-risk areas in the ecosystems vulnerability index should drop to 23 per cent,
and the proportion of medium-risk areas to 69 per cent.
The Ministry for Environment, through the National Climate Committee, is responsible for adaptation policy (Ministerio del Ambiente,
2011). In 2008, a draft climate change strategy was floated, but the document does not appear to have been officially adopted.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
1.
First National Communication to
the United Framework
Convention on Climate Change
Ministry of Environment Published in 2000
3.
National Development Plan 2009- National Planning
2013
Council
Published in 2009
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
Agriculture; Forestry; Coastal
Detailed vulnerability assessments along with
zone management; Freshwater evaluated adaptation measures are presented
supply
for a range of sectors. Further vulnerability and
adaptation assessments are recommended.
Multi-sectoral
The development plan contains 12 key
objectives, of which one relates to the
environment. Under this objective, a climate
change policy including key sectors for
adaptation is outlined.
C. Current Adaptation Action
In line with Ecuador’s priority areas, a number of current adaptation initiatives deal with biodiversity and forests, freshwater and
agriculture. To date, lesser attention has been given to the priority area of the impacts of climate change on Ecuador’s coastal areas. Nor
have issues such as the impacts of climate change on gender and areas such as human health, energy and human settlements been
addressed. A majority of projects are focused on capacity building and policy research, but implementation of specific adaptation actions
is a key component in several projects. Most of the adaptation programming in Ecuador is occurring through its participation in several
regional and global projects. Several of these projects are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
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Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Ecuador
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Support conservation and sustainable
management of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve,
in the context of which the development of
climate change responses and access to
finance will be improved.
Spain,
UNDP,
through the government
MDG
Achievement
Fund
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
National Action
1.
Conservation and
Sustainable Management
of the Natural and Cultural
Heritage of the Yasuní
Biosphere Reserve171
Capacity
2008–2010 Biodiversity;
building;
Forestry
Policy
formation and
integration
Yasuní
Biosphere
Reserve
Special
Ministry of
Climate
Environment
Change
Fund, UNDP,
Government
Policy
2008 - ?
formation and
integration;
Capacity
building
Freshwater
supply
Key national
watersheds,
United
States
Field
[2010] - ?
implementati
on
Watershed
management
High
grasslands
Capacity
building;
Community-
Agriculture
Pichincha
Province and
Jubones
Budget: US$4
million
2.
Adaptation to Climate
Change through Effective
Water Governance (PACC
Ecuador)172
3.
Watershed Conservation173 Protect water sources in the high grasslands
through integrated management that takes
into account climate change adaptation. The
project will create financial mechanisms for
water protection and biodiversity conservation
that address deforestation in important
ecosystems and ensure future water
availability.
4.
Reduce Ecuador’s vulnerability to climate
change through efficient water use. Among
the expected results are: integration of climate
change into key plans and programs of the
water sector; implement strategies and
measures that facilitate climate adaptation in
the water sector; strengthen institutional and
human capacities.
Budget:
US$585,000
Enhancing Resilience of
Reduce vulnerability and food insecurity of
Adaptation
Communities to the
communities and ecosystems, related to the Fund
Adverse Effects of Climate adverse effects of climate change, in the most
World Food
Programme
2011–2016
MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/conservationandsustainablemanagementnaturalandculturalheritageyasun%C3%ADbiospherereserve
GEF, http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=2931
173 USDS, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/164675.pdf
171
172
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Change on Food Security, vulnerable cantons of Pichincha Province and
in Pichincha Province and the basin of the river Jubones.
the Jubones River Basin174
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Budget:
US$7,449,46
8
based
adaptation
River Basin
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Regional:
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
Implement measures to meet the anticipated
consequences of the catastrophic glacier
retreat induced by climate change through
design and implementation of strategic pilot
adaptation measures to address key impacts
of glacier retreat, including: management
plans for potable water systems in urban
areas; promotion of less water consuming
management practices in the agricultural
sector; and measures to increase the natural
water storage capacity of highland
ecosystems.
SCCF, cofinancing
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
5.
6.
7.
Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 175
Design and
Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
the Andean Region (PRAA
Project)176
Climate Change in a Living Improve regional coordination, maintain the
Landscape: Vulnerability integrity of natural ecosystems and promote
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
In Ecuador: Further information required.
Budget:
US$28.7
million
World Bank
with
Government
ministries,
regional
organizations
Capacity
2008–2012
building; Field
implementati
on
Freshwater
supply; Urban
areas;
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Venezuela
Agriculture;
Ecosystem
Regional:
Eastern
In Ecuador: Implementation of measures in the Andes.
EU
WWF, national Policy
?–2010
partners
formation and
Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/project/1328-enhancing-resilience-communities-adverse-effects-climate-change-food-security-pichincha
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
176 ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/projects/regional-design-and-implementation-pilot-climate-change-adaptation-measures-andean-region; and
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/CARE_PRAA_Summary.pdf
174
175
124
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
and Adaptation in the
Eastern Cordillera Real of
Colombia, Ecuador and
Peru177
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
sustainable livelihoods through targeted
action that contribute to reduce major
conservation threats, including climate change
and the urgent need to develop adaptation
strategies.
Duration
integration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
conservation
Cordillera
Real linking
Colombia,
Ecuador and
Peru
In Ecuador: Research focused on several watersheds in the Eastern Cordillera Real
8.
Capacity Development for
Policy Makers: Addressing
climate change in key
sectors178
The project is a targeted capacity development
initiative that supports two goals: 1. To
increase national capacity to co-ordinate
Ministerial views for more effective
participation in the UNFCCC process; and 2. To
assess investment and financial flows to
address climate change for selected key
sectors. As a result of this project, both the
technical understanding of key climate change
issues and their economic and policy
implications within the context of the
Convention will be enhanced.
United
Nations
Foundation
and the
Government
s of
Switzerland,
Finland,
Spain and
Norway.
$6,953,413
USD
UNDP is
implementing
the project in
partnership
with the
UNFCCC
Secretariat,
International
Strategy for
Disaster
Reduction and
the United
Nations
Environment
Programme
Capacity
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral
building;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Global:
20
countries179
including
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru and
Uruguay
In Ecuador: The adaptation part is focused on forestry and food security.180
9.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America Spain, UNDP UNDP
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Budget:
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC US$3.6
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
WWF, http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/colombia/?183441/Cordillera-Real-Oriental-un-paisaje-vivo
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/
179 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay.
180 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/ecuador-en.aspx
177
178
125
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Makers to Address Climate region to provide technical support to national million
Change”181
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
integration
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Ecuador: see description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy Makers to
Address Climate Change.”
10. Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas182
181
182
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
ECLAC,
Capacity
2009–2011
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
University of
building;
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Cantabria,
Assessment;
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
national
Knowledge
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
counterparts communicatio
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
In Ecuador: Further information required.
Coastal zone
management
Most RIOCC
countries184
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
126
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
project “Economics of Climate Change in
Central America - Phase II”183 funded by IADB,
U.K., Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
11. Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica185
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
In Ecuador: Further information required.
12. Regional Program to
Adaptation to Climate
Change in Andes Region
13. Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America186
The project seeks to promote integrated
measures of adaptation to climate change in
the agricultural sector with the countries
members of the CAN. It will strengthen
national food security strategies in the context
of climate change adaptation and institutions
in the agriculture sector.
German
GIZ, CAN,
Federal
Ministries
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ)
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
IADB, U.K.,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
Capacity
2011–2016
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
In Ecuador: Further information required.
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone
Policy
management;
formation and
Government
integration
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
183 See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
185 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
186 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
184
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Ecuador: Further information required.
14. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
15. Climate Change Impacts
on Biodiversity in the
Tropical Andes: Climate
risk, vulnerability and
decision making tools for
the planning of
conservation188
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the associated
capacity of key regional and national
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
especially water and agriculture.
Spain
UNEP
“To provide tropical Andean countries with a
standard methodology for estimating climate
change risks for biodiversity at local scales that
can be used to design adaptation measures
tailored to particular conditions. Case studies
will be conducted during three years (2011 2013) on short- to medium-term climate
change trends, biodiversity patterns and
gradients and the vulnerability of species and
John D. and IAI
Catherine T.
MacArthur
Foundation
Budget:
US$4,375,233
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries187
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Ecuador: Further information required.
Research
2011–2013
Biodiversity
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Ecuador: Further information required.
The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
188 IAI, http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=68
187
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
IADB; cofinancing
Centro
Internacional
para la
Investigación
del Fenómeno
de El Niño
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Biodiversity;
Civil society
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
ecosystems to climate and land use changes in
two cross-border areas: a) the Pacific slope of
the Northern Andes, in the border region of
Colombia and Ecuador; [and] (b) the
Amazonian slope of the Central Andes, in the
border region of Bolivia and Peru.”
16. Climate Change and
Biodiversity Information in
the Tropical Andes
(Información de Cambio
Climático y Biodiversidad
para el
Fomento de Políticas
Públicas de Conservación y
Adaptación en
la Región de los Andes
Tropicales)189
The objective of the project is to create a
regional system of public information on
climate change and its potential impact on the
biodiversity of the tropical Andes. The aim of
the project is to contribute in the generation
of public policies and the insertion of
biodiversity conservation into the national
climate change plans of participant countries.
Budget:
US$878,720
Policy
2011 - ?
formation and
integration;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
In Ecuador: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
A coastal zone and forests initiative funded by the United States has been identified as being developed for implementation in Ecuador.
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Ecuador
Name
Objectives
1.
This project on sustainable coasts and forests
will also provide both adaptation and
mitigation benefits in Ecuador.
189
Sustainable Coasts and Forests
Biodiversity project
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus (if any)
Coastal zones, forests
Notes: Announced as part of the U.S. Department of State’s fast track financing.
The project will be financed by USAID to a total amount of US$780,000.
IADB, http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35427915
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
E. Assessment
The importance of adapting to climate change in Ecuador is acknowledged at the highest levels, as evidenced be the prominent
reference in the current National Development Plan 2009-2013. Ecuador is also already addressing some of its priority needs in terms of
adaptation. Several large projects aim at reducing vulnerabilities in the freshwater supply, agriculture, forestry and biodiversity sectors.
Further adaptation activities are planned that will address needs related to coastal zone management, a previously unaddressed priority
sector. Still missing are more specific adaptation policies and action plans at both the national and the regional and sectoral levels.
References:
Ministerio del Ambiente (2000). Comunicación Nacional. República del Ecuador. Convencion Marco de las Naciones Unidas. Cambio
Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/ecunc1.pdf
Ministerio del Ambiente (2011). Retrieved from www.ambiente.gob.ec
República del Ecuador (2009). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo. Plan Nacional Para el Buen Vivir 2009–2013.
130
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
7.0
Guyana
CARICOM
CCCCC
ENSO
EU
GEF
IADB
OAS
RIOCC
SCCF
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
USDS
Caribbean Community
Caribbean Community Climate Change Center
El Niño Southern Oscillation
European Union
Global Environment Facility
Inter-American Development Bank
Organization of American States
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Special Climate Change Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United States Department of State
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Guyana’s current climate is highly influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation. In its El Niño phase, ENSO provokes dry periods
throughout the year and higher temperatures in July and August, whereas its La Niña phase leads to the opposite situation. Over the last
century observed climatic changes have occurred in Guyana, such as an increasing temperature trend of an estimated 0.07°C per decade
since 1960. In addition, rainfall has increased at an average rate of 4.8 millimeter per month per decade since 1960, but trends in
seasonal rainfall are not statistically significant (UNDP Oxford 2010). It is estimated that the mean annual temperature in Guyana will
increase by 0.9° to 3.3°C by the 2060s. On the other hand, projections for rainfall are very uncertain but suggest slightly negative
ensemble median changes for both the 2060s and the 2090s. Disagreement over changes in future El Niño conditions adds to the
uncertainty of surrounding these precipitation projections. Sea level rise in the region could be anywhere between 0.18 and 0.56 meters
by the 2090s, compared to the 1980 to 1999 average level, according to different scenarios (UNDP Oxford 2010).
Guyana’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Guyana, 2002)
and its supplement, the Climate Change Action Plan (Guyana, 2001), identify coastal zones, agriculture, fisheries, water, energy, forestry
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
and land use, and waste as both important in socio-economic terms and vulnerable to climate variability and change. Priority actions
identified in these documents include:
 Coastal zones: Inventory coastal assets and monitor changes; ocean current and vulnerability studies; fortification and use of
building set-backs; shore protection and beach nourishment procedures; initiate an integrated coastal zone management
program; and studies on the impacts of sea level rise for various sectors and for cities.
 Agriculture and fisheries: Change crops, varieties and possibly practices; improve farm-level management and productivity; identify
inland areas for new large-scale agricultural areas; move crops away from the coastal zone; promote aquaculture; change export
market policies; transfer of appropriate technologies; introduce new species and crops; pest control for crops; mainstream
climate change into poverty alleviation program; and impact surveys and studies.
 Water: Water conservation, monitoring and inventory of water availability; more efficient use in agriculture and energy
production; increase availability through rainwater collection, building wells inland, expanding water storage capacity, and putting
stricter controls and improve management of the supply network; drainage re-use, artificial recharge of reservoirs from rivers,
and removing sediments and weeds; encourage growth of low water use crops, high value per water use crops, and salt-tolerant
crops and fish species; relocate fishing ponds; reduce evaporation from reservoirs; adjust energy production to balance with
other uses; and closing plants during low flow times.
 Energy: Promote conservation techniques; fuel efficient equipment and buildings; efficient transportation; alternative power
sources such as hydropower; co-generation; and wind, solar, ocean thermal and wave energy.
 Forestry and land-use: Introduce sustainable logging practices; forest fire protection; agro-forestry/reforestation/afforestation of
commercially important species in areas likely to favor growth as a result of a shift in vegetation zones due to climate change; use
previously cleared forests for human settlements; promote settlements, industry and agriculture in selected regions of the
interior; and detailed studies on climate and environment.
 Waste: Improved water disposal management plans, managed waste sites, waste reduction measures, sewage treatment and
wastewater recycling.
In addition, Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy (Guyana, 2010) mentions adaptation as a priority and suggests the following
key measures:
 Upgrading infrastructure and assets to protect against flooding through urgent, near-term measures (such as upgrading and
maintaining drainage systems, building ocean seawalls, improving sanitation and water and flood-proofing health clinics).
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America





Addressing systematic and behavioral concerns (such as by strengthening building codes, early warning systems and emergency
response system).
Developing financial and risk insurance measures to boost resiliency post-flooding.
Switching to flood resistant crops.
Establishing the climate change adaptation needs of Guyana’s hinterland regions, including forest communities.
In the longer term, further upgrading of flood protection, seawalls and expansion of drainage and irrigation is proposed.
A National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector (CCCCC, 2009) has also been established. It lists
adaptation actions for the agricultural sector that include technical and institutional capacity enhancement, infrastructure measures,
policy and legislation changes, research and development, and awareness building and communication.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Guyana has completed one National Communication so far, which was supplemented by a Climate Change Action Plan. Both
documents identify largely coinciding adaptation measures for a number of sectors, but give little indication as to how these measures
will be implemented or incentivized. Also, Guyana’s National Development Strategy for 2001 to 2010 (Guyana, 2000) does not mention
adaptation to climate change. Recently, however, a comprehensive low-carbon development strategy (Guyana, 2010) has been
elaborated. Within it, adaptation is one of eight priorities, and specific short-term projects as well as longer term priorities are set out. It
is proposed that the measures will be funded through Fast Track finance in the coming years (up to 2020) and mitigation finance for
forests as soon as the respective mechanisms are operational. Additionally, Guyana has a National Climate Change Adaptation Policy
(Khan, 2001) focusing on adaptation in its low-lying coastal areas. It is unclear the extent to which this policy has been implemented.
Finally, National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector was elaborated through a Guyana’s
participation in a regional adaptation project (CCCCC, 2009). As previously noted, the strategy proposes capacity enhancements,
infrastructure improvements, changes in policies and legislation, promotion of research and development and awareness building and
communication measures.
Within Guyana the key authorities for climate change are the National Climate Change Committee and the Office of Climate Change,
headed by a presidential adviser. Regionally, Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its Climate Change
Center (CCCCC), and has been involved in its recent regional projects.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
1.
Guyana Initial National
Communication to the UNFCCC
2.
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
National Climate Change Published in 2002
Committee, Natural
Resources and
Environment Advisory
Committee
Multi-sectoral
Guyana’s First National Communication contains climate
conditions and projections, vulnerability assessments for
various sectors, and an adaptation section with proposed
measures for coastal zones.
Guyana Climate Change Action
Plan
National Climate Change Published in 2001
Committee, Natural
Resources and
Environment Advisory
Committee
Multi-sectoral
The Climate Change Action Plan, a supplement to the First
National Communication, identifies adaptation measures
as one of nine program areas, and lists such measures for
priority sectors. It also links the climate change agenda to
the national development plan and sets out guidelines for
elaborating climate change legislation.
3.
National Climate Change
Adaptation Policy and
Implementation Plan
National Ozone Action
Unit of Guyana /
Hydrometeorological
Service
Published in 2001
Coastal zone
management
This document was elaborated as part of a CCCCC project.
It complements the above two with a more detailed focus
on coastal low-lands. It lays out the foundation for a
national policy.
4.
National Agricultural Sector
Adaptation Strategy to Address
Climate Change (2009-2018)
various
Published in 2009
Agriculture
The strategy was elaborated as part of the Mainstreaming
Adaptation to Climate Change: Caribbean Community
(MACC) project (see below). Its goal is to reduce the risks
posed by climate change and position the agricultural
sector to adapt through technical innovation and
diversification to increase its competitiveness and
sustainability by 2018.
5.
Low-Carbon Development
Strategy
Office of the President
Third draft
published in 2010
Ecosystem
conservation;
Forestry
The strategy sets out a path for low-carbon, lowdeforestation and climate-resilient development. The
document mainly deals with forests and mitigation, but
also addresses adaptation and announces a Priority
Adaptation Plan for the third quarter of 2010.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
C. Current Adaptation Action
Guyana has participated in a series of capacity building projects implemented by CCCCC, through which adaptation strategies and plans
for both its coastal areas and agriculture sector were developed. At present, its relatively low level of current adaptation programming
supports efforts in the sectors of disaster risk management, coastal zone management, freshwater supply, watershed management and
enhancing the capacity of government to support adaptation to climate change. Gaps in programming appear to exist in relation to
human health and gender. The majority of programming is taking place through Guyana’s participation in regional and global initiatives.
Examples of ongoing national projects include: the research focused project “Measurement of Climate Change Impacts and Ecosystem
Services in Iwokrama,” which provides a better foundation for adaptation measures in the areas of biodiversity and forests; and the
“Conservancy Adaptation Project,” one of the first projects to be financed by the Special Climate Change Fund. The project sought to
improve coastal drainage capacity in East Demerara. There are also some community-based adaptation activities, such as the U.S. Peace
Corps program to increase awareness and knowledge on adaptation and to implement specific local-level measures related to energy
production.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Guyana
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
The goal is to help the Government of Guyana
reduce the country’s vulnerability to flooding
by: improving the overall discharging capacity
of the East Demerara Conservancy (flood
protection) during rainfall; and counteracting
the effects of sea level rise by widening of key
drainage relief canals, improving water flow
system within the conservancy, as well as to
upgrade water control structures, selected
equipment purchase and installation.
SCCF, cofinancing
World Bank,
Ministry of
Agriculture
This project is designed to formulate a new
science program at Iwokrama which will
IADB, cofinancing
IADB
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Assessment; 2007–2011
Field
(closed)
implementati
on
Disaster risk
management
East
Demerara
Research;
Field
Forestry;
Ecosystem
Iwokrama
Forest
National Action
1.
2.
190
Conservancy Adaptation
Project190
Measurement of Climate
Change Impacts and
Budget:
US$20
million
2009 - ?
GEF, http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=3227
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Ecosystem Services in
Iwokrama191
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
provide a series of studies, coordinated by a
new resident scientist. The project will
Budget:
contribute to the provision of eco-system
US$286,500
services, including carbon, watershed service
and biodiversity. Key element of the project is
to implement field works and carry out the
analysis and modeling on climate change.
implementati
on
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
conservation
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
3.
191
192
Mainstreaming Adaptation
to Climate Change:
Caribbean Community
(MACC)192
The objective of the MACC project is to
facilitate an enabling environment for climate
change adaptation in the Caribbean
Community small islands and coastal
developing states participating in this effort.
Project components aimed to: (1) build
regional capacity to collect and analyze data,
thus expand the knowledge base on climate
change impacts in order to assess the
associated physical and socioeconomic
vulnerabilities; (2) build in-country capacity to
formulate and analyze adaptation policy
options and finalize sectoral adaptation
strategies for participating countries; (3) build
capacity in preparation for a regional position
for the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change; and (4) support public
education and outreach programs by
strengthening information access and data
resources, and foster public awareness
through technical assistance and capacity
building.
GEF Trust
Fund; cofinancing
CCCCC,
CARICOM,
World Bank,
Government of
Budget:
Canada, GEF,
US$16 million Government of
US
Capacity
2003–2009 Government
building;
(closed)
Knowledge
communicatio
n; Policy
formation and
integration
LAC Region:
Antigua and
Barbuda,
Bahamas,
Barbados,
Belize,
Dominica,
Grenada,
Guyana,
Jamaica, St.
Kitts and
Nevis, Saint
Lucia, St.
Vincent and
the
Grenadines,
Trinidad and
Tobago
In Guyana: Among other things, a vulnerability and adaptation assessment was conducted
in the agricultural sector, and an adaptation strategy was elaborated for this sector.
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=GY-T1069
GEF, http://www.gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=1084 and CCCCC, http://caribbeanclimate.bz/projects/projects.html
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
4.
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,
among other things, increase municipal, school
and communities’ awareness and knowledge
of climate change (including adaptation) and
support community-led projects, including on
adaptation.
United
U.S. Peace
States
Corps, USDS
Department
of State
(USDS)
5.
Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 193
Peace Corps Renewable
Energy and Climate
Change Initiative194
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Geographic
focus (if any)
Regional:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Guyana: Further information required.
Community
Ongoing
based
adaptation;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Energy
LAC Region:
Costa Rica,
Dominican
Republic, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Guyana,
Honduras,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Suriname
Disaster risk
management;
Government
Global:
17 countries
and the
In Guyana: Further information required.
6.
Global Climate Change
Alliance195
The Global Climate Change Alliance seeks to
deepen the policy dialogue between the
European Union and developing countries on
European
National
Commission, Governments
Czech
Policy
2008–
formation and ongoing
implementati
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35
195 GCCA, http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html
193
194ECPA,
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
7.
Preparedness for Climate
Change198
Objectives
Funder(s)
climate change; and to increase support to
target countries to implement priority
adaptation and mitigation measures, and
integration climate change into their
development strategies. The program’s five
priority areas for funding are: improving the
knowledge base of developing countries to
the effects of climate change; promoting
disaster risk reduction; mainstreaming climate
change into poverty reduction development
strategies; reducing emissions from
deforestation and degradation; and enhancing
participation in the Clean Development
Mechanism.
Republic,
Sweden, 10th
European
Developmen
t Fund
The aim of this program was for the Red Cross
and Red Crescent National Societies in
countries particularly vulnerable to climate
change to gain a better understanding of
climate change and its impacts to identify
country-specific adaptation measures in line
with risks. Activities could include organizing a
workshop on risks, assessment of risks
through preparation of a background
document, capacity building programs, and
Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Climate
Centre
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
on;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Geographic
focus (if any)
Pacific
region,196
including:
Jamaica
Budget:
€ 140 million
In Guyana: Focused on mangrove restoration, the objective of the project is to abate
climate change (carbon sequestration) and mitigate its effects (sea defense,
biodiversity); rehabilitate mangrove fields; map mangroves for better monitoring;
mainstream mangrove issues into the Forest Plan; raise awareness in the general public
and nearby local communities.
Duration: 2010–2014
Focus area(s): mangrove management and public awareness raising
Budget: Euros 4.2 million
Implementing partners: Ministry of Agriculture, Sea Defenses Division of WSG, Guyana
Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, University of Guyana and Honey
Producers Association.197
National Red
Cross/Red
Crescent
Societies
Capacity
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Phase 1:
Disaster risk
2006–2009 management
Phase 2:
ongoing
Global
project:
39 countries
South
American
participants
in Phase 1:
Argentina
Bolivia
These countries are Bangladesh, Belize, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guyana, Jamaica, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Pacific region,
Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and Vanuatu.
197 GCCA, http://www.gcca.eu/usr//GUYANA_FICHE.pdf
198 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme
196
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
developing climate change resilient plans.
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia
Guyana
In Guyana: To be confirmed
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
There are two documents among Guyana’s polices and strategies that list specific adaptation actions, including budgets, timelines and
potential funding sources. The National Adaptation Strategy for Agriculture (CCCCC, 2009) proposes 52 actions for the agricultural
sector, ranging from infrastructure measures to communication. Further, Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy (Guyana, 2010)
proposes a series of larger programs dealing with: coastal infrastructure; water and agriculture in the hinterland; early warning systems
and emergency response; financial instruments; and agricultural research and technology. These measures are projected to cost around
US$400 million and are expected to be funded through Fast Track Funding (2010 to 2012) and 2013 to 2020 financing commitments
contained in the 2009 Copenhagen Accord (Guyana, 2010).
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Guyana
Name
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
1.
The document proposes 52 actions in the categories of institutional
and technical capacity enhancement, infrastructure, policy and
legislation, research and development and awareness building and
communication. A timelines, possible funders and collaborating
agencies are mentioned for each action.
Capacity building;
Research;
Knowledge
communication
Agriculture
Maintaining and upgrading the intricate drainage and irrigation
system of Guyana; construction and rehabilitation of sluices,
kokers, revetments and embankments; continuous dredging and
de-silting of Guyana’s major rivers and creeks; reinforce the ocean
sea wall that protects most of the low-lying coastal areas from the
Atlantic; constructed of groynes and additional drainage pumps in
Field
implementation
Recommended Actions in
the National Adaptation
Strategy to Address Climate
Change in the Agriculture
Sector
2. Upgrading infrastructure
and assets to protect against
flooding through urgent,
near-term measures
Geographic focus
(if any)
Notes:
Coastal zone
management
Coasts, rivers
Notes: From Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy.
Estimated cost is US$225 million.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
Development, reproduction and distribution of plant varieties and
crop management techniques that are suitable for hinterland
communities; construction of all-weather roads and bridges which
are crucial for the transport of agricultural inputs; training and
educational programs and introduction of additional drainage and
irrigation equipment in particularly vulnerable areas; solar and wind
power for water distribution; facilities for rainwater harvesting;
creation of systems to guarantee access to safe drinking water
during crisis situations; and incorporation of the environmental
impacts of climate change into building designs, particularly for
clay, sandy and loam areas.
Field
implementation
Freshwater supply;
Agriculture
Hinterland
Revamping Guyana’s early warning system and improving the
timely and accurate of collection and dissemination of data and
information on weather related events and their impacts on the
ground; set up an emergency response system that will minimize
the risks to public health and ensure that crucial civil structures,
such as the major infrastructure, safe drinking water systems and
electricity and communications networks, are maintained in a
functioning state; and provide training and education campaigns of
the wider population.
Capacity building;
Knowledge
communication;
Field
implementation
Develop and introduce instruments suitable in the Guyana context
that will aim to introduce incentives to avoid and reduce all possible
sources of risk while aiming to transfer risks that are outside of the
control of individuals and firms to third parties, which will
compensate the insured in the event of an extreme event.
Significant investments will need to be channeled towards training,
data collection and transmission systems, particularly in relation to
vital weather and hydrological information.
Capacity building;
Research
strategic locations across the coastline; upgrade the East Demerara
Water Conservancy that protects Georgetown, the East Bank and
most of the East Coast from excess water; and strengthen other
conservancies around the country.
3. Hinterland Adaptation
Measures
4. Addressing systematic and
behavioral concerns
5. Developing innovative
financial risk management
and insurance measures to
resiliency
Notes: From Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy.
Estimated cost is US$10 million.
Disaster risk
management;
Freshwater supply;
Human health
Notes: From Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy.
Estimated cost is US$33 million.
Multi-sectoral
Notes: From Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy.
Estimated cost is US$10 million.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
6. Switching to flood resistant
crops
Funding research to identify flood resistant crops that are Research
Agriculture
applicable to the context of Guyana, creating flood-proof
germplasm banks, and the introduction of new technology that Notes: From Guyana’s Low-carbon Development Strategy.
allows for the cultivation of crops during prolonged flood Estimated cost is US$10 million.
conditions.
E. Assessment
Guyana is a small nation with less than 1 million in habitants, yet it has made impressive advances in terms of defining its adaptation
priorities, developing strategies and policies, and proposing concrete actions. The coastal and agriculture sectors appear to be the highest
priorities, considered in key documents such as the First National Communication and sectoral adaptation strategies. Fisheries, water,
energy, forests and waste are also mentioned. Moreover, concrete action is already taking place in coastal infrastructure, with a large
conservancy project funded through the Special Climate Change Fund. Further, Guyana has proposed a number of specific projects to
be financed by Fast Track financing and other funding included in the Copenhagen Accord. Through these efforts, the country is well
placed to make significant advances in terms of concrete adaptation action over the next decade.
References:
Caribbean Community Climate Change Center [CCCCC] (2009). National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in the
Agriculture Sector of Guyana. Strategy and Action Plan.
Guyana (2000). National Development Strategy 2001-2010. Retrieved from http://www.sdnp.org.gy/nds/
Guyana (2001). Guyana Climate Change Action Plan in Response to its Commitments to the UNFCCC.
Guyana (2002). Guyana Initial National Communication in Response to its Commitments to the UNFCCC. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=GUY/NAP/1%20B#beg
141
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Guyana (2010). A Low-carbon Development Strategy: Transforming Guyana’s economy while combating climate change. Third Draft,
May 2010.
Khan, M. (2001). National Climate Change Adaptation Policy and Implementation Plan for Guyana.
UNDP Oxford (2010). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles: Guyana. Retrieved from http://countryprofiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Guyana&d1=Reports
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
8.0 Paraguay
CATIE
CIFOR
EU
ECLAC
GEF
IADB
INIA
OAS
RIOCC
SEAM
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
USDS
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
European Union
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Global Environment Facility
Inter-American Development Bank
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Organization of American States
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Secretaría del Ambiente (Environment Secretariat)
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United States Department of State
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Paraguay currently faces various climate hazards, including droughts, heat waves, extreme rainfall and floods (PreventionWeb, 2011).
According to scenarios presented in its First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) (Secretaría de Ambiente, 2001), Paraguay will experience temperature increases of 1.2° to 6.2°C by 2100. Projected
changes in rainfall are much more uncertain, ranging from -34 per cent to +22 per cent, depending on the scenario and region.
National priority areas for adaptation are identified in the First National Communication and Paraguay’s Iberoamerican Climate Change
Plan. The First National Communication (Secretaría de Ambiente, 2001) provides vulnerability assessments for the following sectors
(and thereby implicitly prioritizes them): agriculture, livestock and human health. Additionally, the Iberoamerican Climate Change Plan,
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
referenced in a national Human Development Report by UNDP (2007), considers agriculture, health, water and biodiversity as priority
sectors for adaptation. Based on these two documents the following are Paraguay’s priority actions:
 Human health: Develop a cross-cutting anti-malaria program; improve diagnosis and treatment; strengthen monitoring, control
and analysis of future trends; vulnerability studies; monthly projection system, controls and institutional mechanisms in two
high-risk departments; improve access and communication to high-risk areas; improve sanitary inspection, source control and
maintenance of water pipes and sewage systems; promote the use of treated mosquito nets; and build on local leaders to
promote sanitary activities.
 Other: Complementary studies in agriculture and health; register and follow-up on data for local species.
UNDP (2007) mentions important adaptation action in Paraguay as being a malaria prognosis system, establishing flood barriers, risk
analysis for the agriculture sector, heat-resistant agricultural practices, water efficiency measures, agricultural research and land use
planning. Moreover, Paraguay’s national development policy (Paraguay, 2010) proposes the development of climate risk management
options for agriculture, such as risk insurance.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Paraguay has prepared its First National Communication to the UNFCCC (Secretaría de Ambiente, 2001), and has incorporated
adaptation within its national development policy, Paraguay para Todos y Todas. In the latter document (Paraguay, 2010), vulnerability to
climate disasters is mentioned as one obstacle to poverty alleviation and agricultural development. The policy proposes to develop risk
management options for agriculture. The Environment Secretariat (SEAM) is the focal point of the UNFCCC, which implements and
coordinates climate change related activities through its National Climate Change Program. SEAM elaborated a five-year plan on climate
change for the period 2008 to 2012. However, it is not available and not referenced in newer documents.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
1.
First National Communication to
the UNFCCC
2.
National Development Policy
(2010–2020) “Paraguay para
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
Environment Secretariat Published in 2001
Agriculture; Human
health
The communication presents results for vulnerability
assessments in several sectors. However, in terms of
concrete action, the focus is on mitigation rather than
adaptation.
Presidency of the
Republic
Multi-sectoral
The national development policy for 2010–2020
considers climate risks as a threat to poverty alleviation
Published in 2010
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Todos y Todas”
Summary description
and to small-scale agriculture development. It proposes
the development of climate risk management options
for agriculture, such as insurance mechanisms.
C. Current Adaptation Action
Although no purely national projects have been identified as being underway in Paraguay, the country does participate in a number of
regional activities. Many of these are capacity development initiatives supported through the United Nations. Furthermore, two policy
research projects focused on health (“Regional Instruments for Adaptation to Climate Change by the Health Sector”) and watershed
management (“Sustainable Management of the Water Resources of the la Plata Basin with Respect to the Effects of Climate Variability
and Chang” are ongoing in the country. Overall, however, the level of adaptation programming in Paraguay is very low relative to other
South American countries.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Paraguay
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
United
Nations
Foundation
and the
Government
s of
Switzerland,
Finland,
Spain and
Norway.
UNDP is
implementing
the project in
partnership
with the
UNFCCC
Secretariat,
International
Strategy for
Disaster
Reduction and
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
1.
Capacity Development for
Policy Makers: Addressing
climate change in key
sectors199
The project is a targeted capacity development
initiative that supports two goals: 1. To
increase national capacity to co-ordinate
Ministerial views for more effective
participation in the UNFCCC process; and 2. To
assess investment and financial flows to
address climate change for selected key
sectors. As a result of this project, both the
technical understanding of key climate change
issues and their economic and policy
implications within the context of the
Capacity
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral Global:
building;
20 countries200
Knowledge
including
communicatio
Colombia,
n
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru
and Uruguay
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/
These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay.
199
200
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Convention will be enhanced.
$6,953,413
USD
the United
Nations
Environment
Programme
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
In Paraguay: The adaptation part is focused on agriculture and health.201
2.
Regional Instruments for
Adaptation to Climate
Change by the Health
Sector202
The project aims to create mechanisms to
IADB, coIADB
broaden knowledge of current and future
financing
impacts of climate on health in the population.
Budget:
US$1,202,000
Knowledge
2010 - ?
communicatio
n; Research
Human
health
LAC Region:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Mexico,
Paraguay
In Paraguay: Further information required.
3.
4.
Sustainable Management
of the Water Resources of
the la Plata Basin with
Respect to the Effects of
Climate Variability and
Change203
Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America204
To strengthen transboundary cooperation
among the riparian country governments of
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay to ensure management of shared
water resources of the River Plate in an
integrated sustainable manner, within the
context of climate variability and change,
while capitalizing on development
opportunities.
GEF, national UNEP, OAS,
governments National
environmental
Budget:
ministries
US$62.5
million
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
Capacity
2011–2015
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Watershed
Regional:
management Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Paraguay and
Uruguay
In Paraguay: The project involves environmental and riparian protection programs in rivers
belonging to the River Plate basin.
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone Regional:
Policy
management Argentina,
formation and
; Government Bolivia, Brazil,
integration
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay,
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/paraguay-en.aspx
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681
203 IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
204 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
201
202
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Geographic
focus (if any)
Venezuela
In Paraguay: Further information required.
5.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica205
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
INIA, CIFOR,
Capacity
2009–2011
new information and knowledge and
CATIE,
building;
strengthen the capacity of research
Polytechnical Research;
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
University of
Knowledge
sustainable forest management with
Madrid
communicatio
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
n
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the In Paraguay: Further information required.
regional and international dialogue.
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,206
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
6.
Peace Corps Renewable
Energy and Climate
Change Initiative207
Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,
among other things, increase municipal,
school and communities’ awareness and
knowledge of climate change (including
adaptation) and support community-led
projects, including on adaptation.
Energy
LAC Region:
Costa Rica,
Dominican
Republic, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Guyana,
Honduras,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay, Peru,
Suriname
United
U.S. Peace
States
Corps, USDS
Department
of State
(USDS)
Community
Ongoing
based
adaptation;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
In Paraguay: Further information required.
7.
Integrating Climate
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
Spain
UNEP
Assessment;
2010–2013
Government; LAC Region:
Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
207ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35
205
206
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
and ecological systems in the region by
Capacity
integrating adaptation options into national
Budget:
building;
planning processes and building the associated US$4,375,233
policy
capacity of key regional and national
formation and
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
integration
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
In Paraguay: Further information required.
especially water and agriculture.
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries208
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
No proposed adaptation activities have been identified for Paraguay.
E. Assessment
Climate change has not received significant attention so far in Paraguay. Although the country is currently finalizing its Second National
Communication, climate change plans only exist within the respective section of the Environment Secretariat itself. Similarly, the
National Development Policy only mentions climatic risks as a further consideration.
Paraguay has identified priority needs that include agriculture, freshwater supply, human health and government, and it participates in a
number of regional projects. However, no current or future national projects have been identified. It is noted that two of the regional
projects underway in Paraguay have a focus on human health and agriculture. While these projects fit into the priorities identified in the
First National Communication, large gaps remain to be addressed. Future programming could address further needs in these areas as
well as in relation to gender, freshwater supply and improving the capacity of government.
The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
208
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
References:
Paraguay (2010). Paraguay Para Todos y Todas. Propuesta de Política Pública para el Desarrollo Social 2010–2020.
PreventionWeb (2011). Retrieved from www.preventionweb.net
Secretaría de Ambiente (2001). Primera Communicación Nacional a la Convención Marco sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=PRY/COM/1%20B#beg
United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2007). Cambio Climático. Riesgos, vulnerabilidad y desafío de adaptación en el
Paraguay.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
9.0 Peru
CAN
CATIE
CIFOR
ECLAC
ECPA
ENSO
EU
GEF
GIZ
IADB
IDRC
INIA
MINAM
OAS
RIOCC
SCCF
SDC
SIDA
UNDP
UNFCCC
USDS
WWF
Comunidad Andina (Andean Community of Nations)
Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre/ Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y
Enseñanza (Spain)
Center for International Forestry Research
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
El Niño Southern Oscillation
European Union
Global Environment Facility
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
Inter-American Development Bank
International Development Research Centre
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Ministerio del Ambiente (Ministry of Environment)
Organization of American States
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Special Climate Change Fund
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Swedish International Development Agency
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United States Department of State
World Wildlife Fund
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A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Peru currently faces various climate hazards, such as droughts, heavy rain, floods, landslides, frost and hailstorms; many of these events
are related to occurrence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010). Over the rest of this century,
temperatures in Peru are expected to increase by 2° to 3°C by 2100, depending on the region. Rainfall projections vary widely by region,
with increases or decreases of up to 30 per cent expected as early as 2030 in some areas (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010).
Responding to these projections, Peru has developed two National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) that outline its adaptation needs and priorities. Its First National Communication (Iturregui, 2001)
highlights the vulnerability of Peru’s freshwater resources and glaciers, marine ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure and, in particular,
concerns related to human health and wellbeing. It is worth noting, however, that the main hazard highlighted in the analysis is El Niño,
whereas climate change is only prominently mentioned in the context of water and glaciers. In its National Climate Change Strategy (El
Peruano, 2003) released between the two National Communications, Peru mentions the sectors of health, agriculture, coasts and
fisheries, infrastructure, forests and ecosystems in the context of vulnerability and adaptation. The Second National Communication
(Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010) presents vulnerability and adaptation studies for water, biodiversity and the Amazon, agriculture and
fisheries, as well as services, energy and transport.
Through its First National Communications Peru proposed the following adaptation measures:
 Infrastructure: Construction of dams and tunnels to avoid glacier lake outburst floods; and prevention and preparedness for risks
to infrastructure.
 Health: Use of technology transfer; identification of vector diseases; and the development of vaccination, as well as related
capacity building.
Moreover, the Second National Communication (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2010) proposes a series of generic actions that are meant to
flow into the forthcoming National Adaptation Plan. These actions include: climate scenarios at smaller scale; taking stock of and
exchanging experiences; risk analysis; cost analysis; adaptation mainstreaming; pilot projects on vulnerability reduction; proposals for
action in the areas of tourism and aquaculture; land use planning; inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coordination, especially with
education and health; and ecosystems conservation.
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B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Peru has highly developed series of polices and strategies to tackle climate change vulnerability within its priority sectors. For instance,
Peru’s current development strategy, called the Plan Bicentenario, recognizes the threat of climate change in the context of several
strategic themes, including economic development and governance. Moreover, Peru elaborated a National Climate Change Strategy in
2003. The paper lays out 11 strategic objectives that seek to: (1) conduct research; (2) develop policies and projects related to adaptive
capacity development; (3) participate in international negotiations; (4) introduce mitigation policies and actions; (5) foment knowledge
dissemination; (6) promote poverty reduction projects with adaptation and mitigation co-benefits; (7) appropriate technology use; (8)
include civil society participation; (9) encourage forest ecosystems management; (10) promote just compensation from polluters; and
(11) management of fragile ecosystems, particularly in high mountains. Each objective is divided into several sub-objectives. Drawing
upon the ample knowledge base created through completion of its Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, Peru is preparing
a National Adaptation Plan. It is expected that this plan, once completed, will be integrated into the National Climate Change Strategy.
Currently there are four regional climate change strategies for the regions of Piura, Cajamarca, Arequipa and Lima, promoted by a law
introduced in 2002. The Ministry of Environment (MINAM) is the government’s focal point on climate change issues.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
1.
First National Communication
to the UNFCCC
National Climate Change
Commission
Published in 2001 Multi-sectoral
The report emphasizes glacier retreat, the threat to marine
systems, health, agriculture and various infrastructures and the
need for adaptation in these sectors. However, in all sectors
except water, El Niño events rather than climate change itself
are considered the main threat.
2.
National Climate Change
Strategy
National Commission for
Climate Change
Published in 2003 Multi-sectoral
The strategy aims at integrating climate change into policies
and action plans and lists 11 strategic objectives as well as subobjectives for each.
3.
Plan Bicentenario–Peru
towards 2021
National Center for
Strategic Planning
Published in 2009 Multi-sectoral
This development plan mentions climate change in several of
its strategic axes, including governance, economy and
competitiveness as well as in natural resources and
environment. Under the latter, adaptation is also mentioned as
an explicit strategic objective.
4.
Second National
Ministry of Environment
Published in 2010 Multi-sectoral
This extensive document covers a wide range of knowledge on
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Communication to the UNFCCC
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
climate scenarios, sectoral and regional studies. It also contains
a list of current and past action in adaptation and vulnerability
reduction.
C. Current Adaptation Action
A very high and wide range of discrete adaptation projects are presently being implemented in Peru that address many climate risks in all
parts of the country. Several of these are nationally focused, and address needs related to freshwater supply (especially glacier retreat),
agriculture and ecosystems; a number of projects take a watershed-based approach. The Andes and the dry areas on the Northern Coast
have attracted more projects than other areas. Furthermore, there are many initiatives focused in enhancing the capacity of governments
at the national and sub-national level to understand, plan for and implement adaptation actions.
Over and above these national projects, Peru is also involved in many regional or global projects, the former of which often involve
other Andean countries, particularly Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador. Examples include the project “Design and Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Andean Region” and “Utilization of Potato Genetic Diversity as Tool to Adaptation to
Climate Change.” Additional projects are being implemented as part of Peru’s involvement in Ibero-American Network of Climate
Change Offices (RIOCC). Peru’s ongoing projects address a number of priority sectors, but gaps may be noted with respect to human
health, hydroelectric power generation and the absence of any projects focused on gender and climate change.
Over and above the projects identified in Table 2, a wider array of adaptation related initiatives were identified in Peru’s Second
National Communication.209 Greater effort to help build the adaptive capacity of the country is therefore underway than what is
suggested in Table 2.
Peru’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC lists 63 adaptation initiatives in the country. Projects the met the definition of adaptation action as
used within this review, and for which additional information could be found, are included in Table 2.
209
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Peru
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Grupo
Propuesta
Ciudadana
Research;
Capacity
building
¿ - 2009
Multi-sectoral
National;
regional in
Piura and
Cusco
Capacity
building;
Research
2008–2011
Watershed
management
Andes
Policy
2008–2012
formation and
integration;
Field
implementati
on
Freshwater
supply;
Agriculture;
Disaster risk
management
Regions of
Cusco and
Apurimac
National Action
1.
Baseline Study on Public
Policy Action and Budget
Allocation of the Peruvian
State with regards to
Climate Change
Adaptation
Understand the government response to
Oxfam
climate change through public policies and
allocation of public resources, by establishing a
baseline on policy and budgets in ministries
and some regional governments and making
recommendations on future monitoring of
future actions.
2.
Integrated and Adaptive
Management of
Environmental Resources
and Climatic Risks in High
Andean microwatersheds210
Develop and reinforce the abilities of local and
regional governments, communal authorities
and the general population to improve local
adaptive management of environmental
resources and the provision of services in High
Andean rural areas through a participatory,
informed and decentralized perspective that
effectively incorporates environmental and
climate change issues into public policy
decisions at the local and regional government
levels.
3.
210
211
Spain,
UNDP
through the
MDG
Achievement
Fund
Budget:
US$3.9
million
Climate Change
The program seeks to reduce climate
SDC
Intercooperati
Adaptation Programme in vulnerability for the local populations of Cuzco
on, Libelula,
Peru (PACC)211
and Apurimac. Focusing on water resources, Budget:
PREDES,
disaster prevention and food security, the
US$12 million Ministry for
PACC combines local and scientific knowledge
Environment
in a resolutely transdisciplinary fashion in order
(MINAM)
to identify the most suitable adjustment
measures. A few examples include increasing
the number of water reserves, introducing
crop varieties that are capable of enduring
MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/integratedandadaptivemanagementenvironmentalresourcesandclimaticriskshighandeanmicrowatershe
ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/climate-change-adaptation-programme-pacc-peru
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Oxfam
Asociación
Capacity
Proyección;
building;
Practical Action Communitybased
adaptation
2009–2012
Agriculture
Caylloma
(Arequipa) y
Espinar
(Cusco)
IADB
Policy
2009 - ?
formation and
integration;
Capacity
building;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Government
National
Government of Capacity
2010 - ?
Peru
building;
Budget:
Research;
US$25 million
Policy
(loan)
formation and
integration
Government
National
extreme weather conditions, integrating
specific disaster prevention measures in
regional planning.
4.
Q’emikuspa: Adaptation to
climate change measures
to protect and improve
livelihoods of Alpaca and
High-Andean indigenous
communities
5.
Study of the Economic
This technical cooperation aims to fund studies
Impacts of Climate Change to assess the impacts of climate change on
in Peru212
priority sectors of the Peruvian economy. The
studies will inform the Government of Peru on
strategies and policy instruments. The study
also seeks to strengthen institutional capacity
of government agencies, as well as of those
actors who will be mostly affected by the
impacts of climate change. Finally, the
cooperation aims to increase public awareness
on socio-economic impacts of climate change
in Peru.
IADB, cofinancing
6.
Support Program for the The objective of the program is to assist Peru
Climate Change Agenda213 in its efforts to create the legal, institutional,
and technical conditions for preventing,
mitigating, and responding to climate change
and its impacts on the country’s future
development, taking advantage of the
investment and financing opportunities
associated with carbon markets and
international funding for adaptation and
IADB
212
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PE-T1167
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PE-L1080
213
The project seeks to promote traditional
methods to avoid increasing mortality of
alpacas in the face of increasing climate risks
which lead to water shortages.
Budget:
US$500,000
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Ministry of
Environment
(MINAM)
Capacity
2010 - ?
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government
Ministry of
Environment
(MINAM)
Field
2010 - ?
implementati
on
Government;
Watershed
management
Programa De
Desarrollo
Productivo
Agrario
Assessment
Agriculture
Peruvian
Andes
AEDES
Research
Watershed
management
Ocoña
watershed
IGP
Policy
Disaster risk
Mantaro
vulnerability reduction measures.
7.
8.
9.
Support to the
Strengthening of Regional
Capacity for Climate
Change Management214
The following technical cooperation seeks to
support regional governments to overcome
difficulties in the conformation of the Regional
Climate Change Strategies. Additionally it will
support the Ministry of Environment in the
supervision and follow-up of the strategies.
IADB, cofinancing
Implementation of
Adaptation Measures in
Four Watersheds215
This technical cooperation will support the
“Dirección de Cambio Climático,
Desertificación y Recursos Hídricos” of the
Ministry of Environment in the preparation
and execution of pilot adaptation measures.
IADB, cofinancing
This project intends support research to scale
up and find the technical and financial
feasibility to let AGRORURAL co-finance with
local and regional governments the
implementation of a far-reaching program of
pre-Columbian Andean terrace reconstruction
as a practical way to execute adaptation
projects in the field, in the scope of Andean
indigenous communities impacted by global
warming.
IADB
Terraces Recuperation in
the Andes216
10. Actions to Reduce the
Negative Impacts of
Climate Change in the
Ocoña watershed217
Budget:
US$500,000
Budget:
US$1,250,000
Budget:
US$1.325
million
Generation and systematization of information
on the watershed, local capacity building and
awareness raising with a view to reduce
vulnerability of communities in the face of
climate change.
11. Disaster Risk Management Strengthen risk management capacity in the
IDRC
2010 - ?
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PE-T1194
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PE-T1168
216 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PE-T1165
217 AEDES, http://www.aedes.com.pe/#
214
215
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
in the context of Extreme
Meteorological Events
(droughts, frost and heavy
rain) as an Adaptation to
Climate Change Measure
in the Mantaro Valley
Objectives
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
face of extreme meteorological events such as
droughts, frost and heavy rain, with a view to
reducing vulnerability and improving adaptive
capacity of the urban and rural population in
the Mantaro Valley. The projects involves
studies, capacity evaluation, the elaboration of
an integrated risk management and
adaptation plan and capacity building
12. Agricultural Insurance for Improving access to insurance products for
Adaptation to Climate
smallholder farmers in northern Peruvian
Change
coastal areas for better risk management
13. Proyecto Gestión integral
y adaptativa de recursos
ambientales para
minimizar vulnerabilidades
al cambio climático en
microcuencas
altoandinas218 (Integrated
Management of Natural
Resources to Minimize
Vulnerability to Climate
Change in the Micro-basins
of the Andean Highlands
Project)
Funder(s)
German
GIZ
Federal
Ministry for
the
Environment
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
formation and
integration;
Capacity
building
management
Valley
Capacity
building
Agriculture;
Insurance
Peru:
northern
Peruvian
coastal areas
Watershed
management
Cotababas
and
Challhuahuac
ho Provinces
The objectives of this project are to: (1)
MDG Fund
UNDP; FAO;
Capacity
2008–2011
understand the impacts of climate change in
UNOPS; UNEP building;
the micro-basins of the Andean Highlands and Budget:
Research;
the surrounding communities; and (2) to
US$704, 977
Community
provide capacity building for local
based
communities, local and regional officials, and
adaptation;
organizations in developing development
Policy
strategies. In addition, this projects aims to
formation and
carry out a preliminary study of the area’s
integration
water balance and map out the risks faced by
the provinces of Cotabambas y
Challhuahuacho. It also aims to consider a
proposed Water Management policy and to
strengthen the Municipal Association of the
Santo Tomás River Basin. The overarching aim
of the project is to strengthen and contribute
to local efforts on climate change strategies.
UNDP, http://www.onu.org.pe/Publico/CentroPrensa/DetalleNoticia.aspx?id=2617 and Soluciones Practicas,
http://www.solucionespracticas.org.pe/cusco/noticias.php?not_id=14
218
157
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
14. Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 219
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
15. Climate Change in a Living
Landscape: Vulnerability
and Adaptation in the
Eastern Cordillera Real of
Colombia, Ecuador and
Peru220
Improve regional coordination, maintain the
EU
integrity of natural ecosystems and promote
sustainable livelihoods through targeted
action that contribute to reduce major
conservation threats, including climate change
and the urgent need to develop adaptation
strategies.
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Regional:
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana,
Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Peru: Further information required.
WWF, national Policy
?–2010
partners
formation and
integration
Agriculture;
Ecosystem
conservation
Regional:
Eastern
Cordillera
Real linking
Colombia,
Ecuador and
Peru
In Peru: Research focused on the Chinchipe river in the northeastern part of Peru
belonging to the Eastern Cordillera Real.
16. Adaptation for
Smallholders to Climate
Change (AdapCC)221
This public–private partnership supports
coffee and tea farmers of Cafédirect’s supply
chain in developing strategies to cope with the
risks and impacts of climate change.
German
GIZ, Cepicafe
Federal
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ),
Cafédirect
Research;
Capacity
building
2007–2010
Agriculture;
Trade; Private
sector
Global:
Kenya,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Peru,
Tanzania,
Uganda
In Peru: The project looked at drought, frosts, erosion/landslides and strong winds, their
impacts and adaptation strategies in Piura.
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
WWF, http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/colombia/?183441/Cordillera-Real-Oriental-un-paisaje-vivo
221 AdapCC, http://www.adapcc.org/
219
220
158
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
17. Design and
Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
the Andean Region (PRAA
Project)222
Implement measures to meet the anticipated
consequences of the catastrophic glacier
retreat induced by climate change through
design and implementation of strategic pilot
adaptation measures to address key impacts
of glacier retreat, including: management
plans for potable water systems in urban
areas; promotion of less water consuming
management practices in the agricultural
sector; and measures to increase the natural
water storage capacity of highland
ecosystems.
SCCF, cofinancing
World Bank
with
Government
ministries,
regional
organizations
The project is a targeted capacity development
initiative that supports two goals: 1. To
increase national capacity to co-ordinate
Ministerial views for more effective
participation in the UNFCCC process; and 2. To
assess investment and financial flows to
address climate change for selected key
sectors. As a result of this project, both the
technical understanding of key climate change
issues and their economic and policy
implications within the context of the
Convention will be enhanced.
United
Nations
Foundation
and the
Government
s of
Switzerland,
Finland,
Spain and
Norway.
18. Capacity Development for
Policy Makers: Addressing
climate change in key
sectors223
Budget:
US$28.7
million
Duration
Capacity
2008–2012
building; Field
implementati
on
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Freshwater
supply; Urban
areas;
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Venezuela
In Peru: Implementation of measures in the Andes.
$6,953,413
USD
UNDP is
implementing
the project in
partnership
with the
UNFCCC
Secretariat,
International
Strategy for
Disaster
Reduction and
the United
Nations
Environment
Programme
Capacity
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral
building;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Global:
20
countries224
including
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru and
Uruguay
ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/projects/regional-design-and-implementation-pilot-climate-change-adaptation-measures-andean-region; and
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/CARE_PRAA_Summary.pdf
223 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/
224 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay.
222
159
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
In Peru: The sectors of focus are agriculture, freshwater fisheries and water.225
19. Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”226
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Peru: see description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy Makers to
Address Climate Change.”
20. Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas227
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Spain
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
ECLAC,
University of
Cantabria,
national
counterparts
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Assessment;
Knowledge
communicatio
Coastal zone
management
Most RIOCC
countries229
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/peru-en.aspx
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
227 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
229 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
225
226
160
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
In Peru: Further information required.
project “Economics of Climate Change in
Central America - Phase II”228 funded by IADB,
UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
21. Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica230
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Geographic
focus (if any)
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
Government
Global:
Albania,
Algeria,
Colombia,
Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal,
Uganda,
In Peru: Further information required.
22. Territorial Approach to
Climate Change (TACC)231
Improve the resilience to climate change and
reduce the carbon footprint in sub-national
territories in developing and transition
countries through: (1) “Access to up-to-date
climate change science, tolls and good
practices; (2) creating a partnership and
governance framework to address cross-
UNDP
UNEP; UNDP; Capacity
2009 - ?
UNITAR; UNbuilding;
Habitat; UNCDF Knowledge
communicatio
n
See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
231 UNDP, http://www.unep.org/roap/Activities/ClimateChange/TerritorialApproachtoClimateChangeTACC/tabid/6844/Default.aspx
228
230
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
sectoral nature of climate change; and (3)
developing a climate change and draft a
climate change strategy and action plan to
ensure a programmatic approach to climate
change”. The main activities include capacity
building in 500 sub-national territories
worldwide and implementing plans in 50 of
them.
23. Utilization of Potato
Genetic Diversity as Tool
to Adaptation to Climate
Change232
To contribute to the adaptation of potato
production systems to the expected impact of
climate change, in order to develop
technological alternatives to counteract the
direct and potential effects of climate change
(drought- and frost-tolerant varieties; high
quality seeds; tools for risk evaluation) and the
negative impacts on farmers and their families;
as well as develop a climate change prevention
and mitigation plan suited to the particular
conditions of communities in the high Andes.
24. Climate Risk Management The project aims at increasing in-country
Technical Assistance
capacities to manage current and future
Support Project
climate risks.
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Uruguay and
others
In Peru: The project is being implemented in Piura, Northern Peru
IADB, cofinancing
Budget:
US$742,520
Fundación para
la Promoción e
Investigación
de Productores
Andinos
Research;
2009 - ?
Policy
formation and
integration
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia, Peru
Agriculture
22 countries
in Phase 2
(2010-2011)
In Peru: Further information required.
SIDA
UNDP; IISD
through
UNDP; UNDP
core finance
Policy
2010-2011
formation and
integration
In Peru: Following a literature review on the state-of-the-art of climate risk knowledge
and management in Peru, two focused regional assessments in Piura and Junin will
analyze vulnerabilities and risks, especially in agriculture, and identify priority risk
reduction measures.
Implementing agency: International Institute for Sustainable Development
25. Adaptation to Climate
Change of Wheat and
232
The objective of this program is to contribute
to the improvement of the adaptive capacity
IADB, cofinancing
Instituto de
Research;
Investigaciones Capacity
2010 - ?
Agriculture
Regional:
Chile, Peru,
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1690
162
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Potatoes Productive
Systems233
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
“To provide tropical Andean countries with a
standard methodology for estimating climate
change risks for biodiversity at local scales that
can be used to design adaptation measures
tailored to particular conditions. Case studies
will be conducted during three years (2011 2013) on short- to medium-term climate
change trends, biodiversity patterns and
gradients and the vulnerability of species and
ecosystems to climate and land use changes in
two cross-border areas: a) the Pacific slope of
the Northern Andes, in the border region of
Colombia and Ecuador; [and] (b) the
Amazonian slope of the Central Andes, in the
border region of Bolivia and Peru.”
John D. and IAI
Catherine T.
MacArthur
Foundation
27. Regional Program to
Adaptation to Climate
Change in Andes Region
The project seeks to promote integrated
measures of adaptation to climate change in
the agricultural sector with the countries
members of the CAN. It will strengthen
national food security strategies in the context
of climate change adaptation and institutions
in the agriculture sector.
German
GIZ, CAN,
Federal
Ministries
Ministry for
Economic
Cooperation
(BMZ)
234
Priority
Sector(s)
of the region, through an increase in the
Agropecuarios building
competitiveness of the productive systems of Budget:
potato and wheat to climate change in South US$920,000
America. Specifically, the project will support In Peru: Further information required.
the selection and development of genotypes
with increased tolerance to drought and high
temperatures. The project is being led and
implemented by local institutions.
26. Climate Change Impacts
on Biodiversity in the
Tropical Andes: Climate
risk, vulnerability and
decision making tools for
the planning of
conservation234
233
Duration
Research
Geographic
focus (if any)
Uruguay
2011–2013
Biodiversity
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
Capacity
2011–2016
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Peru: Further information required.
In Peru: Further information required.
IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1657
IAI, http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=68
163
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
28. Peace Corps Renewable
Energy and Climate
Change Initiative235
Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,
among other things, increase municipal, school
and communities’ awareness and knowledge
of climate change (including adaptation) and
support community-led projects, including on
adaptation.
United
U.S. Peace
States
Corps, USDS
Department
of State
(USDS)
Duration
Community
Ongoing
based
adaptation;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Energy
LAC Region:
Costa Rica,
Dominican
Republic, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Guyana,
Honduras,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Suriname
In Peru: Further information required.
29. Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America236
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone
Policy
management;
formation and
Government
integration
Regional:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Peru: Further information required.
30. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
Spain
UNEP
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
Budget:
planning processes and building the associated US$4,375,233
Assessment;
Capacity
building;
policy
2010–2013
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries237
235ECPA,
236
http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
and the Caribbean
31. Climate Change and
Biodiversity Information in
the Tropical Andes
(Información de Cambio
Climático y Biodiversidad
para el
Fomento de Políticas
Públicas de Conservación y
Adaptación en
la Región de los Andes
Tropicales)238
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
capacity of key regional and national
formation and
institutions. The project will: undertake impact
integration
and vulnerability assessments; identify good
practices and gaps in integrating adaptation
into policy and plans; and support adaptation
planning and its integration into national
development processes. It will focus on the
most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,
In Peru: Further information required.
especially water and agriculture.
The objective of the project is to create a
regional system of public information on
climate change and its potential impact on the
biodiversity of the tropical Andes. The aim of
the project is to contribute in the generation
of public policies and the insertion of
biodiversity conservation into the national
climate change plans of participant countries.
IADB; cofinancing
Budget:
US$878,720
Centro
Internacional
para la
Investigación
del Fenómeno
de El Niño
Policy
2011 - ?
formation and
integration;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Geographic
focus (if any)
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
Biodiversity;
Civil society
Regional:
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru
In Peru: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
Three proposed adaptation initiatives have been identified. Firstly, a project to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank
(IADB), proposes continued support to the government to implement their climate change agenda. The second project would be
funded by the U.S. through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. The third is a proposed project that would bring
together countries from around the world, “Up-scaling and Replicating Successful Approaches to Adaptation at the Local Level.”
The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
238 IADB, http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35427915
237
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Peru
Name
Objectives
Type of project
1.
This operation constitutes the second phase of the
Programmatic Policy Based Loan to Support Peru’s
Climate Change Agenda. During the second stage, the
compliance of the conditions set for the first phase
will be verified. Also, lines of action aimed at
completing the triggers for the third operation will be
set and executed.
Capacity building; Policy
formation and
integration
PBP - Support to Climate
Change Agenda II
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
Notes: US$25m IADB loan to Peruvian government
2. Energy and Climate
Partnership of the Americas
Regional:
Argentina, Chile, Peru
Notes: Announced as part of the U.S.’ Fast Start Financing, this initiative will
provide approximately US$1 million for adaptation to climate change. No
further details are known.
3. Up-scaling and Replicating
Successful Approaches to
Adaptation at the Local
Level239
The objectives of this project are not available.
Community based
adaptation
Global: Indicative 10
countries: Barbados, China,
Indonesia, Mali, Nicaragua,
Peru, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan,
Tanzania, Tunisia
Notes: This project has been proposed to the Special Climate change Fund.
E. Assessment
Peru is one of the most advanced countries in South America in terms of mainstreaming climate change adaptation into policies and
programs. A national climate change strategy has been established as early as 2003, and many government institutions have participated
in capacity building programs for years. Strategies to confront climate change have also been elaborated for several regions, and studies
to inform these strategies have been conducted for vulnerable sectors, especially water, agriculture and ecosystems. In respect to
projects, there are a very high number of ongoing initiatives and three proposed actions have been identified; many more appear to
exist. So far, much activity has been related to research and capacity building, but projects involving concrete adaptation action are also
being initiated.
239
GEF, http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/publication/adaptation-actions_0.pdf
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
References:
Centro Nacional de Planeamiento Nacional (2009). Lineamientos Estratégicos para el Desarrollo Nacional 2010–2021.
El Peruano (2003). Aprueban Estrategia Nacional sobre Cambio Climático. El Peruano, Diario Ofiical, N° 8527.
Iturregui, P. (2001). Comunicación Nacional del Perú a la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved
from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=3190#beg
Ministerio del Ambiente (2010). El Perú y el Cambio Climático. Segunda Comunicación Nacional del Perú ante la Convención Marco de
las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático 2010. Retrieved from http://sinia.minam.gob.pe/index.php?idElementoInformacion=245
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10.0 Suriname
CARICOM
CCCCC
GEF
IADB
NCCAP
OAS
UNDP
UNFCCC
USDS
Caribbean Community
Caribbean Community Climate Change Center
Global Environment Facility
Inter-American Development Bank
National Climate Change Action Plan
Organization of American States
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United States Department of State
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Similar to other South American countries, Suriname faces climate hazards that are heavily influences by the El Niño Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) events. On the one hand, El Niño provokes dry periods throughout the year and higher temperatures in July and
August, whereas La Niña leads to the opposite situation. There is an observed increasing trend in temperatures over the last century
(around +0.05°C per decade since 1960), but no discernible change in rainfall patterns (UNDP Oxford 2010).
Among Surinam’s climate projections, it is projected that the mean annual temperatures will increase by 0.8° to 3.1°C by the 2060s.
Projections for rainfall are very uncertain, with a slightly negative ensemble of median changes for both the 2060s and the 2090s. Sea
level rise in the region could be anywhere between 0.18 and 0.56 meters by the 2090s compared to the 1980 to 1999 average level
according to different scenarios (UNDP Oxford 2010).
Based on Suriname’s climate projections, the country has outlined priority areas for adaptation through key documents. For example, its
First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Republic of Suriname,
2005) identifies the low lying coastal zone (where fertile land and most economic activities and people are concentrated) as a priority
area, within which a number of sectors are at risk from sea level rise. The vulnerability assessments in the National Communication also
address water, freshwater swamps, agriculture, socio-economic sectors and human health. Secondly, a draft National Climate Change
Action Plan (NCCAP) from 2007 identifies coastal areas and river banks, water, health, agriculture, energy, education and awareness,
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
capacity development, scientific research and adaptation finance as the areas relevant for adaptation (Tiempo Climate Newswatch,
2011). Finally, the 2009 address of President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Summit (Youtube,
2011) highlights forests, biodiversity and coasts as key areas for climate change adaptation.
Suriname’s First National Communication (Republic of Suriname, 2005) prioritizes the following measures:
 Coastal Zones: Integrated coastal zone management; retreat from coastal areas; building dikes and dams to prevent further erosion
in areas where structures are already in place and where other options will be more expensive and less sustainable; and
breakwaters—hard structures to reduce wave energy reaching the coast lines that are expensive but have less environmental
impact than dikes.
 Water Resources: More efficient water use; optimization of cultivation practices; water recycling; water storage; dams on wetlands
to purify drainage water; conservation of estuaries; use of brackish water for fish and shrimp cultivation; increase drainage
capacity in urban and production areas; and maintenance of dikes.
 Freshwater Zone Ecosystem (including Swamps): Protection of all mangrove forests; implementation of current multi-use plans;
conservation of estuary zone; withdrawing abandoned land; provision of incentives to protect existing mangroves and
discourage further agricultural activities on issued land in the estuarine zone; and implementation of a monitoring system.
 Agriculture (and Aquaculture): Development and introduction of new rice varieties; construction of windbreaks (shelterbelts) for
banana cultures; use of greenhouses with shadow-netting and drip irrigation for horticulture; agro-forestry; for aquaculture, the
establishment of ponds in areas with no protection measures and establishment of artificial lakes in the interior.
 Socio-Economic Sector: Mainly related to coastal zones, therefore a combination of protective measure, retreat and
adaptation/coastal zone management is proposed.
 Human Health: Disease prevention, control and surveillance programs; and notes the need for more studies.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
As indicated previously, Suriname has submitted one National Communication to the UNFCCC (Republic of Suriname, 2005). The
document identifies priority areas and lists adaptation measures for a number of sectors. In addition, Suriname drafted a National
Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) in 2007 that identifies key areas and measures for both mitigation and adaptation (Tiempo
Climate Newswatch, 2011). However, there is no evidence of implementation of this plan to-date. The country’s national authority for
climate change is the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment. Regionally Suriname is a member of the
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its Climate Change Center, but does not appear to have been involved in any of its recent
regional projects.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus Summary description
1.
Ministry of Labour,
Technological
Development and
Environment
Published in 2005
Multi-sectoral
First National Communication to
the UNFCCC
The communication identifies low-lying coastal areas as the
priority for adaptation. It furthermore presents vulnerability
assessments and a list of proposed adaptation measures for
a range of sectors.
C. Current Adaptation Action
Suriname is involved in a very low number of adaptation projects relative to other countries in South America. This involvement
includes one project financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, “Support for Improving Disaster Risk Management for
Climate-Resilient Development,” that is being implemented through the National Coordination Center for Disaster Preparedness and
aims render development more resilient to climate-related disasters, especially floods. The remaining projects in the country address
adaptation needs related to transboundary water management; assist governments, communities and the tourism sector at the local and
national; and increasing awareness and support for community-led projects on various issues, including adaptation.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Suriname
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Disaster risk
management
Main rivers
National Action
1.
240
Support for Improving
Disaster Risk Management
for Climate-Resilient
Development240
The project proposes to (a) improve
IADB
knowledge and understanding of climaterelated disaster risk; (b) improve preparedness Budget:
for flood events in the populated upper bank US$500,000
of the main rivers; and (c) facilitate a greater
incorporation of hazard prevention and
mitigation in development decision making.
The collective application of these approaches
National
Coordination
Center for
Disaster
Preparedness
Policy
2010 - ?
formation and
integration;
Research
IADB, http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35476242
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
is expected to lead to a reduction in the loss of
life and socioeconomic losses due to climate
related hazards and disasters in Suriname.
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
2.
3.
241
242
Integrated and
Sustainable Management
of Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 241
CARIBSAVE Climate
Change Risk Atlas: Phase
1242
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision of
sustainable development in the region based
upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Budget: US$ Organization,
51.5 million OAS
To provide practical assistance to the
governments, communities and the tourism
sector at the local and national levels to assess
climate change impacts and manage risks. The
project focuses on key sectors as they relate to
tourism and livelihoods, including agriculture
and gender, and “is using climate models,
examining sectoral vulnerabilities, assessing
adaptive capacity and developing practical
response strategies with the countries across
the region.”
DFID;
AusAID
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
building;
management
Policy
formation and
integration
Regional:
Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Suriname: Further information required.
CARIBSAVE
Research;
Capacity
building
2010–2011
Budget:
£750,000 +
AUS$
1,000,000
Tourism;
Agriculture;
Gender;
Government
LAC Region:
Antigua &
Barbuda,
Barbados,
Belize, The
Bahamas,
Dominica,
Dominican
Republic,
Grenada,
Jamaica, St
Kitts & Nevis,
Saint Lucia,
St Vincent &
the
Grenadines,
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
CARIBSAVE, http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5; and DFID, http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Suriname,
Turks &
Caicos
In Suriname: Further information required.
4.
Peace Corps Renewable
Energy and Climate
Change Initiative243
Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,
among other things, increase municipal, school
and communities’ awareness and knowledge
of climate change (including adaptation) and
support community-led projects, including on
adaptation.
United
U.S. Peace
States
Corps, USDS
Department
of State
(USDS)
Community
Ongoing
based
adaptation;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Energy
LAC Region:
Costa Rica,
Dominican
Republic, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Guyana,
Honduras,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Suriname
In Suriname: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
No indication of any proposed future adaptation action in Suriname has been identified.
E. Assessment
Suriname has clearly identified coasts as its priority area in the context of climate adaptation. More importantly, it’s first and so far only
National Communication provides a list of adaptation measures for various sectors, many of them related to the vulnerability of its
coastal areas. Furthermore, many of those measures are specific enough to provide a good starting point for targeted interventions.
There is little evidence, however, of these recommendations being acted upon. For example, the NCCAP is mentioned by several
sources, but no evidence of its implementation has been found. Also, little current climate change programming has been identified, and
no proposed action has been found. In sum, the priorities identified by the government do not seem to have been addressed thus far.
243
ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
References:
Republic of Suriname (2005). First National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=5462#beg
Tiempo Climate Newswatch (2011). Politics and Climate Change in Suriname. Retrieved from
http://marimengenalsuriname.blogspot.com/p/tiempo-climate-newswatch.html
UNDP Oxford (2010). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles: Suriname. Retrieved from http://countryprofiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Suriname&d1=Reports
Youtube (2011). Suriname: Statement 2009 UN Climate Change Summit. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P317ImsOS-I
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11.0 Uruguay
CATIE
CIFOR
ECLAC
EU
GEF
IADB
INIA
OAS
OPP
PNRCC
RIOCC
SNRCC
UNDP
UNFCCC
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
European Union
Global Environment Facility
Inter-American Development Bank
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Organization of American States
Officina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto
Plan Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático (National Climate Change Response Plan)
Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)
Sistema Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático y la Variabilidad (National System to Respond to Climate Change
and Variability)
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Uruguay experiences climate hazards such as droughts and floods, along with frost, heat waves, hail and storms (Uruguay, 2010). It is
estimated that Uruguay’s temperatures will increase by 2° to 3°C by 2100; and rainfall is projected to increase in the entire country—
around 10 per cent to 20 per cent on average, but more so in the summer (Uruguay, 2010).
Uruguay’s First and Second National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
(Uruguay, 1997; Uruguay, 2004) both look at agriculture, livestock and coastal zones in the context of adaptation. The Second National
Communication also looks at the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, energy, freshwater and human health.
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In addition to its National Communications, Uruguay has developed its National Plan on Climate Change (PNRCC) that identifies the
vulnerability of its agricultural and terrestrial ecosystems, energy system, coastal zones, urban habitats, health sector and industry and
services. Within this document, strategic adaptation measures are divided into the following groups: integrated risk management; water;
energy; ecosystems and biodiversity; production and consumption (including agriculture, industry, tourism and consumption); and
quality of life (including habitat and health) (SNRCC, 2010).
Through its key climate change documents, including a Third National Communication released in 2010, Uruguay has identified the
following priority adaptation measures (SNRCC, 2010; Uruguay, 2004, 2010):
 Agriculture: Improve seed banks for genetically more adapted crops; and sustainable soil management, including direct seeding
and other soil conservation methods.
 Biodiversity: Monitoring of changes in main ecosystems; delimitation, implementation and management of protected areas; and
productive diversification.
 Energy: Extend studies on water availability; support hydropower plants; update time series on water data used in models for
planning and operations; planning and maintenance of infrastructure involving consideration of climate risks; diversification of
the energy matrix; and promotion of energy efficiency in the framework of the strategic guidelines of the national energy policy.
 Coasts: Promote integrated coastal zone management; establish monitoring systems on waves and beach profiles; and study
degraded coastal areas.
 Water: Incorporate climate change in specific hydraulic projects; formulate and propose an effective national water policy that
takes into account climate change; integrated water management; and assurance of the availability of water (including monitoring
and efficiency measures).
 Fishery: Monitoring of the oceanographic variables of marine species; artificial shrimp cultures; and increased checks on water
contamination.
 Health: Education, information and communication to prevent climate-related diseases; entomological monitoring for disease
prevention; and creation of an inter-institutional work group on health and climate change.
 Disaster Risk Management: Improvement of the country’s preparedness to respond to extreme climate events and variability, and
implementation of insurance and dedicated funds to cover the country’s production (mainly of agricultural goods) against
climate-related hazards.
 Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Protection of terrestrial and coastal biodiversity ecosystems.
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America


Production and Consumption: For agriculture, actions proposed are: horizontal integration of farmers for more efficient water
management; sustainable land management; animal and plant breeding; and the use of adapted species. Further measures are
suggested for industrial production, tourism and consumption patterns.
Quality of life: Sustainable development of cities; and preservation human health.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Currently, Uruguay does not have one united national development plan, but the government agency responsible for planning aims at
elaborating a long-term strategy. Working documents available on the government’s website (OPP, 2011) do not indicate, however, any
considerations of climate change impacts in the forthcoming strategy. However, a National System to Respond to Climate Change and
Variability (SNRCC) was set up in 2009, and its function is to coordinate climate change action among public and private institutions at
the national and local levels. In addition, in 2010, the SNRCC published the National Plan on Climate Change (PNRCC). For
adaptation, the plan identifies priority strategic actions, and specifies institutional and capacity building measures to create an enabling
environment for adaptation. Furthermore, Uruguay has submitted three National Communications, the only country in South America
to have submitted more than two.
Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
1.
First National Communication to
the UNFCCC
Ministry for Housing,
Land Planning and
Environment
Published in
1997
Agriculture; Coastal
zone management
This report mentions the results of vulnerability assessments
in vulnerable sectors and sketches out some directions for
adaptation.
2.
Second National Communication
to the UNFCCC
Ministry for Housing,
Land Planning and
Environment
Published in
2004
Multi-sectoral
The Second National Communication looks at a range of
sectors and presents a vulnerability analysis, key adaptation
measures and details on implementation for each measure.
3.
Third National Communication to
the UNFCCC
Ministry for Housing,
Land Planning and
Environment
Published in
2010
Multi-sectoral
The document draws heavily on the PNRCC (see below). The
same vulnerability assessments and strategic adaptation
options are recommended as in the PNRCC.
4.
National Plan on Climate Change
National System to
Respond to Climate
Change and Variability
Published in
2010
Multi-sectoral
This plan is the main instrument of the National System to
Respond to Climate Change. It aims at coordinating,
integrating and improving climate change adaptation and
mitigation in key sectors. It proposes strategic adaptation
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Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
actions for several areas.
C. Current Adaptation Action
A low number of adaptation projects compared to other South American countries are presently being implemented in Uruguay. The
majority of these actions are through Uruguay’s participation in multi-country initiatives; fewer projects developed solely for
implementation in Uruguay are currently being implemented. Most programming focuses on research, capacity building and
development of the policy structure needed to support adaptation. The specific sectoral focus of current initiatives includes agriculture,
freshwater supply and coastal zone management, all of which have been identified as priority areas for action by the national
government.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Uruguay
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
UNDP,
Presidency,
OPP
2008–2010 Disaster risk Various
management departments
National Action
1.
Strengthening of Risk
Management Capacity of
Departments
Strengthen risk management capacities on the UNDP
departmental level through the creation and
consolidation of emergency committees,
capacity building, building links between
national and local level, integration of risk
management, adaptation and development,
maps and plans, early warning systems.
2.
Implementing Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
Coastal Areas of
Uruguay244
Eliminate barriers to adaptation through
policies and practices relating to land use
planning and coastal zone management that
increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems.
244
GEF,
UNDP
Government
of Uruguay
Capacity
building
Field
2008–2011
implementati
on
Coastal zone Coastal areas
management
Budget:
US$3.7
million
GEF, http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=3134
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Territorial Approach to
Improve the resilience to climate change and
Climate Change (TACC)245 reduce the carbon footprint in sub-national
territories in developing and transition
countries through: (1) “Access to up-to-date
climate change science, tolls and good
practices; (2) creating a partnership and
governance framework to address crosssectoral nature of climate change; and (3)
developing a climate change and draft a
climate change strategy and action plan to
ensure a programmatic approach to climate
change”. The main activities include capacity
building in 500 sub-national territories
worldwide and implementing plans in 50 of
them.
UNDP
UNEP; UNDP;
UNITAR; UNHabitat;
UNCDF
Capacity Development for
Policy Makers: Addressing
climate change in key
sectors246
United
Nations
Foundation
and the
Government
s of
Switzerland,
Finland,
Spain and
Norway.
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Government
Global:
Albania,
Algeria,
Colombia,
Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal,
Uganda,
Uruguay and
others
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
3.
4.
The project is a targeted capacity
development initiative that supports two
goals: 1. To increase national capacity to coordinate Ministerial views for more effective
participation in the UNFCCC process; and 2. To
assess investment and financial flows to
address climate change for selected key
sectors. As a result of this project, both the
technical understanding of key climate change
issues and their economic and policy
implications within the context of the
Convention will be enhanced.
Capacity
2009 - ?
building;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
In Uruguay: The project is being implemented in Metropolitan Region ( Canelones,
Montevideo and San José departments)
$6,953,413
USD
UNDP is
implementing
the project in
partnership
with the
UNFCCC
Secretariat,
International
Strategy for
Disaster
Reduction and
the United
Nations
Capacity
2008–2010 Multi-sectoral Global:
building;
20
Knowledge
countries247
communicatio
including
n
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru and
Uruguay
UNDP, http://www.unep.org/roap/Activities/ClimateChange/TerritorialApproachtoClimateChangeTACC/tabid/6844/Default.aspx
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/
247 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay.
245
246
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Government
LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
Environment
Programme
In Uruguay: The focus area is not chosen yet.248
5.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”249
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America
and the Caribbean has expanded on the global
project, “Capacity Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate Change” in the LAC
region to provide technical support to national
policy makers and its Country Offices and
strengthen capacity on budgetary issues
related to the post-2012 climate regime.
Activities include technical backstopping for
countries that begin to consider adaptation to
climate change in their National Development
Plans.
Spain, UNDP UNDP
Budget:
US$3.6
million
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
In Uruguay: see description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy Makers to
Address Climate Change.”
6.
Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas250
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
Spain
ECLAC,
University of
Cantabria,
national
Capacity
building;
Assessment;
Knowledge
2009–2011
Coastal zone Most RIOCC
management countries252
including:
Argentina,
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/uruguay-en.aspx
UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
250 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
248
249
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
impacts of climate change on the coasts of any
counterparts communicatio
country in Spanish and Portuguese speaking
n
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It has a particular focus on the dynamics of
beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs and
dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks and coastal
infrastructure. This initiative is linked to the
In Uruguay: Further information required.
project “Economics of Climate Change in
Central America - Phase II”251 funded by IADB,
UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and Germany.
7.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica253
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate
Spain
new information and knowledge and
strengthen the capacity of research
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
sustainable forest management with
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
INIA, CIFOR,
CATIE,
Polytechnical
University of
Madrid
Geographic
focus (if any)
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Research;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Forestry
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
Agriculture
Regional:
Chile, Peru,
Uruguay
In Uruguay Further information required.
8.
Adaptation to Climate
Change of Wheat and
Potatoes Productive
Systems254
The objective of this program is to contribute
to the improvement of the adaptive capacity
of the region, through an increase in the
competitiveness of the productive systems of
potato and wheat to climate change in South
IADB, cofinancing
Instituto de
Research;
Investigaciones Capacity
Agropecuarios building
2010 - ?
Budget:
US$920,000
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
251 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
253 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
254 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=rg-t1657
252
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
9.
Sustainable Management
of the Water Resources of
the la Plata Basin with
Respect to the Effects of
Climate Variability and
Change255
10. Review of the Economics
of Climate Change in
South America256
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
America. Specifically, the project will support
the selection and development of genotypes
with increased tolerance to drought and high
temperatures. The project is being led and
implemented by local institutions.
In Uruguay: Further information required.
To strengthen transboundary cooperation
among the riparian country governments of
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay to ensure management of shared
water resources of the River Plate in an
integrated sustainable manner, within the
context of climate variability and change,
while capitalizing on development
opportunities.
GEF, national UNEP, OAS,
government National
s
environmental
ministries
Budget:
US$62.5
million
The purpose of the study is to make a
socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
Duration
Capacity
2011–2015
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Watershed
Regional:
management Argentina,
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Paraguay and
Uruguay
In Uruguay: The projects looks at upper and lower parts of the Uruguay river and its
linkages to agriculture, energy, etc.
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone Regional:
Policy
management; Argentina,
formation and
Government Bolivia,
integration
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay,
Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Uruguay: Further information required.
11. Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
255
256
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the
Spain
Budget:
US$4,375,233
UNEP
Assessment;
Capacity
building;
policy
2010–2013
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries257
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799469815
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
and the Caribbean
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
associated capacity of key regional and
formation and
national institutions. The project will:
integration
undertake impact and vulnerability
assessments; identify good practices and gaps
in integrating adaptation into policy and plans;
and support adaptation planning and its
integration into national development
processes. It will focus on the most vulnerable In Uruguay: Further information required.
sectors and ecosystems, especially water and
agriculture.
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
Only one proposed adaptation action for implementation in Uruguay has been identified, a recently submitted proposal to the
Adaptation Fund for an agriculture project.
Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Uruguay
Name
Objectives
Type of project
Priority Sector(s)
Geographic focus
(if any)
1.
To contribute to building national capacity to
adapt to climate change and variability focusing on
critical sectors for the national economy,
employment and exports. The project would focus
on supporting livestock smallholders in selected
Landscape Units of the Basalto and the East Hills
regions to build resilience to climate change.
Capacity building; Research
Agriculture; Trade
Basalto, East Hills
Building Resilience To
Climate Change In
Vulnerable Smallholders258
Notes: Project submitted to Adaptation Fund in January 2011. Approval of
project formulation grant provided March 2011. To be implemented by the
National Innovation and Research Agency and executed through the Ministry for
Agriculture and Livestock. Total requested funding is US$7.35 million.
The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
258 Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/endorsed_concepts
257
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
E. Assessment
Uruguay has a relatively good basis for adaptation decision-making and project implementation in terms of both existing vulnerability
assessments and reports (three National Communications, several policy research projects) and existing institutions and policies (such as
the National System to Respond to Climate Change and Variability and National Plan on Climate Change), coupled with a range of
strategic adaptation actions have been identified for key sectors. However, most adaptation needs remain unaddressed. Only one project
per sector has been identified for agriculture, water and coastal zone management, whereas other priorities such as energy, human
health, disaster risk management and gender have not yet been tackled.
References:
Officina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto [OPP] (2011). Oficina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto. Retrieved from www.opp.gub.uy.
Sistema Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático y la Variabilidad [SNRCC] (2010). Plan Nacional de Respuesta al Cambio Climático.
Diagnóstico y Lineamientos Estratégicos.
Uruguay (1997). Primera Comunicación Nacional del Uruguay. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=URY/COM/1%20B#beg
Uruguay (2004). Segunda Comunicación Nacional a la Conferencia de la Partes en la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el
Cambio Climático. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=URY/COM/2%20B#beg
Uruguay (2010). Tercera Comunicación Nacional a la Conferencia de la Partes en la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el
Cambio Climático. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=URY/COM/4%20E#beg
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
12.0 Venezuela
CATIE
CIFOR
ECLAC
GEF
IADB
INIA
MARN
MINAMB
OAS
SCCF
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher
Education Centre)
Center for International Forestry Research
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Global Environment Facility
Inter-American Development Bank
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (Chile) (National Institute of Agricultural
Research)
Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales
Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Ambiente
Organization of American States
Special Climate Change Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities
Venezuela’s climate is susceptible to droughts, often related to El Niño events, and extreme rainfall events (República Bolivariana de
Venezuela, 2005). Climate projections for the country estimate that temperatures will increase by 1° to 2°C by the 2060s, with minimum
temperatures expected to increase twice as fast as maximum temperatures. In addition, decreasing trends for rainfall, especially in the
South, are projected for Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela, 2005).
Venezuela has so far submitted only one National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), which highlights that water, agriculture, coastal areas and socio-economy are among its priority sectors (República
Bolivariana de Venezuela, 2005). The National Communication outlines its adaptation priorities as follows:
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America




Water: Promotion of water demand and supply management; implementation of legal norms on water use and price measures;
use of fiscal measures; land use planning; institutional strengthening; social and organizational measures; awareness raising;
further studies; and investments in infrastructure.
Agriculture: Short term (up to five years): strengthening social organization; environmental taxes; implementation of good
practices in agriculture; maintain livestock mobility in dry areas; adjust agricultural calendars; impact evaluation of adaptation
measures; education of the rural population; and risk reduction planning. In the medium term (5 to 20 years): strengthening
cooperative development and diversification; consolidate environmental taxes; consolidate good practices; develop and distribute
hybrids and resistant crops; improve efficiency of water use; promote agroforestry; develop new technologies; use genetically
modified varieties; and evaluate the impact of adaptation measures. In the long-term (after 20 years): consolidate agroforestry;
consolidate crop substitution; and evaluate residual climate change impacts. A number of additional measures were identified in
regional workshops, including: strengthening social organization; implementation of environmental taxes; supervised credit;
policies to increase local value-added production; organization of the extension service; regionalized zonal planning; policies to
diversify production; establish a network of real time weather stations; and capacity building.
Coastal zones (measures regarding sea level rise): establish national coordination body on sea level rise; evaluation of coastal zones
and islands regarding current and future use; analysis of coastal and marine topography, geology, geomorphology and
oceanography; hydraulic analysis of river run-off; awareness raising; and strengthening the national oceanography network.
Socio-economy: strategic areas for adaptation include: awareness raising; assessments in sectors like agriculture, energy, water,
technology, ecology and the socio-economy; monitoring and field work; environmental participation, management and
protection; sanitation and control of rivers and watersheds; and food security.
B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents
Venezuela’s current Social and Economic Development Plan (República Bolivariana de Venezuela, 2007), does not address climate
change, and the country has not yet established a climate change strategy, action plan or policy. So far, Venezuela has submitted one
National Communication to the UNFCCC (República Bolivariana de Venezuela, 2005), and the Ministry for External Affairs is the
government’s UNFCCC focal point. The Ministry for Environment (MINAMB, previous the Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources, MARN), however, deals with climate change issues at the national level.
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Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions
Name of Policy Action
Government Division
Responsible
Status
Sector(s) of Focus
Summary description
1.
MARN
Published in
2005
Multi-sectoral
The First National Communication includes an analysis of climate
variability and change as well as vulnerability and impact
assessments for a range of sectors.
First National Communication to
the UNFCCC
C. Current Adaptation Action
Adaptation programming in Venezuela is currently low when compared to other countries in South America. This level of action
appears to be occurring exclusively through Venezuela’s participation in multi-country projects and programs, all of which involve Latin
American countries. Although the number of projects underway in Venezuela is limited, they are addressing a range of sectoral needs,
including coastal zone management, the supply of freshwater, watershed management, urban issues, forestry, agriculture, and enabling
government to understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Table 2: Current Adaptation Projects and Programs active in Venezuela
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
SCCF, cofinancing
World Bank
with
Government
ministries,
regional
organizations
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Freshwater
supply;
Urban areas;
Agriculture
Regional:
Bolivia,
Ecuador, Peru,
Venezuela
Participation in Regional and Global Actions
1.
Design and
Implementation of Pilot
Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in
the Andean Region (PRAA
Project)259
Implement measures to meet the anticipated
consequences of the catastrophic glacier
retreat induced by climate change through
design and implementation of strategic pilot
adaptation measures to address key impacts
of glacier retreat, including: management
plans for potable water systems in urban
areas; promotion of less water consuming
management practices in the agricultural
sector; and measures to increase the natural
water storage capacity of highland
ecosystems.
Budget:
US$28.7
million
Capacity
2008–2012
building; Field
implementati
on
In Venezuela: Further information required.
ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/projects/regional-design-and-implementation-pilot-climate-change-adaptation-measures-andean-region; and
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/CARE_PRAA_Summary.pdf
259
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
2.
To strengthen, in a coordinated and coherent
manner, the institutional framework for
planning and executing activities for the
protection and sustainable management of
the water resources of the Amazon River
Basin, endeavoring to realize a shared vision
of sustainable development in the region
based upon the protection and integrated
management of transboundary water
resources and adaptation to climatic changes.
GEF, cofinancing
UNEP, Amazon
Cooperation
Treaty
Organization,
OAS
3.
Integrated and Sustainable
Management of
Transboundary Water
Resources in the Amazon
River Basin Considering
Climate Variability and
Change 260
Review of the Economics The purpose of the study is to make a
of Climate Change in South socioeconomic analysis of the impacts of
America261
climate change in selected countries of South
America, develop mitigation and adaptation
policies and leverage financial resources. In
addition, this project includes a component
focused on the impact of climate change in
coastal areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las
Coastas de America Latina y Caribe).
Budget: US$
51.5 million
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
Capacity
2009–2014 Watershed
Regional:
building;
management Bolivia, Brazil,
Policy
Colombia,
formation and
Ecuador,
integration
Guyana, Peru,
Suriname,
Venezuela
In Venezuela: Further information required.
IADB, UK,
Denmark,
Spain, EU,
Germany
ECLAC
Assessment; 2008–2009 Coastal zone Regional:
Policy
management Argentina,
formation and
; Government Bolivia, Brazil,
integration
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay,
Venezuela
In Venezuela: Further information required.
4.
Climate Change
Vulnerability Evaluation of
Coastal and Marine
Areas262
This project is part of the Ibero-American
Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate
Change (PIACC) and aims to determine the
impacts of climate change on the coasts of
any country in Spanish and Portuguese
speaking countries of Latin America and the
Caribbean. It has a particular focus on the
dynamics of beaches, estuaries, lagoons,
Spain
ECLAC,
University of
Cantabria,
national
counterparts
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Assessment;
Knowledge
communicatio
n
Coastal zone Most RIOCC
management countries264
including:
Argentina,
Brazil, Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru,
Uruguay and
Venezuela
IW-LEARN, http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799471058 and http://www.otca.org.br/gefam/
ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/dmaah/noticias/noticias/2/35232/samaniego_recc.pdf
262 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm
260
261
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Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
Geographic
focus (if any)
RIOCC
countries,
including:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
deltas, cliffs and dunes, coastal erosion, flood In Venezuela: Further information required.
risks and coastal infrastructure. This initiative
is linked to the project “Economics of Climate
Change in Central America - Phase II”263
funded by IADB, UK, Denmark, Spain, EU and
Germany.
5.
Mitigation and Adaptation
to Climate Change in
Sustainable Forest
Management in IberoAmerica265
Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate Spain
INIA, CIFOR,
Capacity
2009–2011
new information and knowledge and
CATIE,
building;
strengthen the capacity of research
Polytechnical Research;
institutions in the forestry sector on linking
University of
Knowledge
sustainable forest management with
Madrid
communicatio
adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
n
This includes strengthening specific research
activities, developing and disseminating
methodologies and case studies,
strengthening human resources and fostering
the representation of the forest sector in the
regional and international dialogue.
In Venezuela: Further information required.
Forestry
6.
Climate Policy 2012:
Extension of the global
project “Capacity
Development for Policy
Makers to Address Climate
Change”266
The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America Spain, UNDP UNDP
and the Caribbean has expanded on the
global project, “Capacity Development for
Budget:
Policy Makers to Address Climate Change” in US$3.6 million
the LAC region to provide technical support
to national policy makers and its Country
Offices and strengthen capacity on budgetary
issues related to the post-2012 climate
regime. Activities include technical
backstopping for countries that begin to
Government LAC Region:
Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Cuba,
Dominican
Republic,
Ecuador, El
Capacity
2009–2011
building;
Policy
formation and
integration
The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
263 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html
265 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/
266 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf
264
188
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
Name
Objectives
Funder(s)
Implementing Type of
Agency(s)
project
Duration
Priority
Sector(s)
consider adaptation to climate change in
their National Development Plans.
Geographic
focus (if any)
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, and
Venezuela
In Venezuela: Further information required.
7.
Integrating Climate
Change Adaptation into
National Development
Processes in Latin America
and the Caribbean
Build climate resilience of vulnerable human
and ecological systems in the region by
integrating adaptation options into national
planning processes and building the
associated capacity of key regional and
national institutions. The project will:
undertake impact and vulnerability
assessments; identify good practices and
gaps in integrating adaptation into policy and
plans; and support adaptation planning and
its integration into national development
processes. It will focus on the most
vulnerable sectors and ecosystems, especially
water and agriculture.
Spain
Budget:
US$4,375,233
UNEP
Assessment; 2010–2013
Capacity
building;
policy
formation and
integration
Government;
Agriculture;
Freshwater
supply
LAC Region:
Phase 1: 19
RIOCC
countries267
Phase 2: 3-5
countries
(Dominican
Republic 1st
country
selected)
In Venezuela: Further information required.
D. Proposed Adaptation Action
No proposed adaptation action has been identified in Venezuela.
The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
267
189
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: South America
E. Assessment
Venezuela has submitted one National Communication to the UNFCCC that is extensive and offers many recommendations for
adaptation action. However, no government action plan or strategies have yet been published. Furthermore, only a low number of
current and no proposed adaptation activities have been identified. While these projects are addressing a range of sectors, gaps exist in
areas such as gender and building the capacity of civil society. In sum, climate change does not appear to have been considered in
development plans nor addressed much through adaptation action in Venezuela.
References:
República Bolivariana de Venezuela (2005). Primera Comunicación Nacional en Cambio Climático de Venezuela. Retrieved from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=5225#beg
República Bolivariana de Venezuela (2007). Líneas Generales del Plan de Desarrollo Económico y Social de la Nación 2007-2013.
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