Implementing adaptation

Implementing adaptation

Implementing adaptation is vital to enable countries, particularly developing countries, to respond to the adverse effects of climate change.

The Convention commits countries to prepare for and facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change (Article 4.1). All Parties are required to take the actions necessary related to funding, insurance and the transfer of technology, to meet the specific needs and concerns of developing countries arising from the adverse effects of climate change (Article 4.8) and to take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology (Article 4.9). In addition, developed countries are required to assist developing countries in meeting costs of adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change (Article 4.4).

In Article 4.8 of the convention, responding to the adverse effects of climate change is referred to in conjunction with addressing the impact of the implementation of response measures. The impact of the implementation of response measures generally refers to negative side effects resulting from the implementation of climate change mitigation activites.

Decisions

Decision 5/CP.7, 2001, Implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention

Decision 1/CP.10, 2004, The Buenos Aires programme of work on adaptation and response measures describes ways to respond to the adverse effects of climate change as referred to in Article 4 of the Convention.

Progress

At SB 28, 2008, Parties adopted conclusions on Progress on the implementation of decisions 1/CP.10. Parties agreed on a set of specific activities up to COP 14 (December 2008) in Poznan, Poland to address the adverse effects of climate change, article 4.8, decisions 5/CP.7 and 1/CP.10.

See the Report of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on its twenty-eighth session, paragraphs 32-39 (FCCC/SBI/2008/8)

Terms of Reference attached to the report (Annex III) explain how Parties will assess the status of the implementation of adaptation action by inviting Parties and relevant organizations to provide submissions that will feed into an assessment of work on the adverse effects of climate change (and the impacts of the implementation of response measures). A round table in Poznan will consider the outcome of the assessment, which will provide Parties with a clearer picture of gaps and needs and help identify future action which will feed into the decision making progress by COP at its 14th session.

During the SB 28 meeting consideration was taken of the submissions provided by Parties (by 21 March 2008) on the status of implementation of Article 4.8 and decisions 5/CP.7 and 1/CP.10. These views were compiled in document FCCC/SBI/2008/MISC.4

The Chronology provides full details of all negotiations on this issue.

Workshops

During 2006-2007, a series of workshops and an expert meeting, mandated by decision pdf-icon 1/CP.10, helped facilitate information exchange and integrated assessments to assist Parties in identifying specific adaptation needs and concerns.

Workshops: Africa, Asia, Latin and Central America
Expert meeting: Small island developing States (SIDS)

A synthesis report highlights the outcomes of the regional workshops and expert meeting

Climate change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation in Developing Countries draws heavily on the information provided at the workshops and expert meeting and highlights the concerns and needs of developing countries in adapting to the effects of climate change.