Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: Closing the gap
There is significant overlap between the practice and theory of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. However, there is limited coherence and convergence in institutions, organisations and policy frameworks. Both struggle to be incorporated into regular development planning and this aspiration is slowed down by duplicated activities, ineffective use of resources and confusing policies.
A review for the UK’s Department of International Development (DfID) explains why policies and programming for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation should converge, and how this could be achieved.
Climate change adaptation is an adjustment in natural or human systems, which occurs in response to actual or expected climatic changes or their effects. In human systems, adaptation can reduce harm or exploit opportunities. DRR is the development and application of policies and practices that minimise risks to vulnerabilities and disasters.
DRR is an essential part of adaptation – it is the first line of defence against climate change impacts, such as increased flooding or regular droughts. DRR is now lending its expertise and humanitarian experience to climate change adaptation programmes. For example, DRR’s knowledge and expertise about building resilience to existing climate variability is a useful starting point for developing adaptation policies. In turn, the DRR community is paying more attention to longer term changes in the climate and the shifting hazard burden that this may cause.
The overlapping objectives of adaptation and DRR are increasingly reflected in existing programmes and new initiatives, including:
processes associated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Hyogo Framework for Action
financial mechanisms set up by the UNFCCC and those linked to DRR
national level initiatives such as the National Adaptation Programmes of Action, which commonly include DRR projects and prioritise ‘early warning’
a focus on improved sharing of DRR and adaptation tools and knowledge.
Major challenges remain, however – the weakness of the DRR lobby in climate change debates is particularly significant. Within multilateral, bilateral and national institutions, climate change adaptation and DRR departments are often isolated from each other. Both sectors have also found it difficult to access adequate funding; governments often believe that DRR and adaptation should not be covered by regular development financing.
The researchers make several recommendations to DfID, many of which are relevant to other policymakers:
Help the DRR community to engage more effectively in UNFCCC negotiations, for example by building the capacity of negotiators with DRR experience.
Integrate DRR and adaptation into the guidance and delivery of funding mechanisms, for example through budgetary support.
Promote the integration of DRR and adaptation teams in bilateral, multilateral and civil society organisations; DfID could lead the way through its own reorganisation.
Support the generation of integrated knowledge, experience and guidance, including in DfID’s Central Research Department.
Encourage convergence in national governments and coordination mechanisms; DfID country offices could work with donor partners and local organisations to achieve this.
by Tom Mitchell and Maarten van Aalst
See also Convergence of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation: A Review for DFID, by Tom Mitchell and Maarten van Aalst, 2008 Download id21 Climate Change highlights, December 2008
Article featured in id21 highlights Climate Change, December 2008
