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Climate Change & Energy: Climate change impacts

Key Documents

Practical guidance

Displaying 1-4 of 4 key documents

Addressing Climate Change Challenges in Africa: A Practical Guide towards Sustainable Development

Source: AMCEN Secretariat | November 2011

This guidebook translates current knowledge on climate change and international climate policies into practical options for mitigation and adaptation in Africa, outlining the links with sustainable development. It is aimed at policymakers, decision-makers and other interested practitioners such as environment and climate change negotiators.

The guide focuses on potential climate change impacts on key sectors in Africa, such as small-scale farming. It highlights tools, methodologies and literature available to help countries assess mitigation and adaptation needs.

The authors outline the governance, technological, financial and capacity-building opportunities to take action on climate change, and how they can benefit development. The guidebook also includes sources of financing, and case studies on mitigation and adaptation, including rainwater harvesting, coastal zone adaptation, fisheries and restoration of degraded lands.

Climate Perturbation and Coastal Zone Systems in Asia Pacific Region: Holistic Approaches and Tools for Vulnerability Assessment and Sustainable Management Strategy

Source: Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) | September 2007

This technical report presents a tool designed to help understand the consequences of climate change on the coastal zone systems of the Asia Pacific regions, and examine long-term adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The tool comprises three components: a model of hydrological and biogeochemical processes, an impact assessment tool and a multi-criteria decision-making tool. It focuses on flooding, nutrients, salinity and sedimentation in the coastal areas of Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The report presents the methodology used to develop the tool, results of case studies conducted using the tool, and key findings. It highlights that different countries prioritise flooding issues and adaptation measures differently. The case studies are ongoing, and are due to be expanded to other parts of Asia Pacific and to include other issues such as groundwater.

Vulnerability of Tropical Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture to Climate Change

Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) | November 2011

This book assesses the vulnerability of fisheries and aquacultures in the Pacific in light of predicted climate change and variability. It examines how climate change could affect the region's plans to maximise socioeconomic benefits from this sector, which is already facing challenges related to population growth. It also offers recommendations — adaptations, policies and investments — on ways to protect these sectors.

The book describes the approach taken to conduct a vulnerability assessment and how the results can be used to help Pacific communities adapt. It provides practical guidance for learning about coastal and oceanic fisheries activities across the Pacific, and the ecosystems that support these industries. It stresses that sustainable use of fisheries is vital to the survival of communities in this region, and that this will only become possible with improved knowledge and information that can be factored into decision-making for sustainable development.

The future climate for development

Source: Forum For The Future

This report, published by Forum For The Future and the UK's Department for International Development, explores the environmental, social, political, psychological and economic impacts of climate change on low-income countries over the next 20 years.

The report's central message is that development must be climate-resilient. It outlines four scenarios for 2030 (Reversal of Fortunes, Age of Opportunities, Coping Alone, The Greater Good) and sets out the implications of each imagined future for low-income country governments, policymakers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. It covers a range of issues, including population, politics and technology, and is designed to be a practical tool for policy- and decision-making, with exercises and supporting materials.