Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation

Adapting to climate change is an urgent issue for all, particularly for least developed countries and small island states. These countries have contributed the least in terms of greenhouse gas emissions but, ironically, are the most vulnerable to the emissions' adverse effects on climate change, such as floods and droughts.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change called for immediate adaptation actions to be taken in the key sectors of water, agriculture, natural resources, and health. However, climate change adaptation has received little attention to date as policymakers in most of the Asia and Pacific region are preoccupied with other developmental issues.

To encourage that the necessary actions and policy decisions be taken, ADBI has organized the Workshop on Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Developmental Planning, 14–17 April 2009, in Tokyo. The workshop aims to: (i) facilitate mainstreaming climate change considerations in development plans, (ii) create closer links between climate research and policymaking communities, (iii) foster better coordination among related agencies, and (iv) promote effective design of both structural and non-structural measures.

More details of the workshop.