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Compendium of Methods and Tools to Evaluate Impacts of, and Vulnerability and Adaptation, to Climate Change: structure and scope

UNFCCC side event Adaptation: from assessment to action. UNFCCC Compendium

Olga Pilifosova UNFCCC secretariat

Buenos Aires 7 December, 2004

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Short history

• Requested by COP3

• Initial Compendium - 1999

• Extended mandate by the SBSTA – 2000/2001

• Linked to guidelines for non-Annex I National Communications at COP 8 in Delhi in 2002

• Up-dated Compendium in 2002/2003

• Reviewed by an expert meeting on V&A assessment in Manila in April 2004

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What is included?

• A number of frameworks, such as IPCC Technical guidelines, APF, UKCIP, NAPAs,etc.

• Methods&tools for different stages/steps of assessment – Methods: used to assess specific issues under an

approach e.g. CC scenarios, cost analysis, risk assessment, stakeholder approaches etc.

– Tools: expert judgement; models; risk assessment tools; etc.

• Sources: UNEP HB, USCP, UN projects, AID programmes, academic institutions, NGOs, etc.

More than 90 methods

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How it is structures?

• Frameworks and Supporting Toolkits• Cross-Cutting Issues and Multi-Sector Approaches

– Application of Scenario Data in Impact and Adaptation Assessment

– Decision Tools

– Stakeholder Approaches

– Other Multisectoral Tools

• Sector Oriented Tools– Agriculture

– Coastal zone

– Water

– Health

– Forest and vegetation

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Structure of the information about methods

Description.

Appropriate use.

Scope.

Key tools.

Key outputs.

Key inputs.

Ease of use.

Training required.

Training offered.

Computer requirements.

Documentation.

Applications.

Contacts for tools, documentation, and technical assistance

References.

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Links to methodologies in the NAI guidelines/User

Manual and NAPAs • NAI guidelines encourage use of “appropriate”

methodologies • Report on:

– general approaches/frameworks for assessment– climate change and socio-economic scenarios, if

appropriate – different methods and tools for impacts assessment – evaluation of adaptation options and strategies– policy frameworks for adaptation

• Methodological needs (GCE, NAI NCs) include regional modeling, vulnerability tools, socio-economic analysis, assessment of adaptation options, etc.

• Compendium includes NAPAs guidelines as a framework and a number of tools that can be useful for rapid/bottom –up assessment of vulnerability and identifying priorities for adaptation

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What the Compendium does and does not

• is relevant for both “scenario-driven” and “vulnerability-based” approaches

• provides users with key information about available frameworks and tools

• not a manual/“cookbook” describing how to implement each tool, but rather a survey

• is part of an ongoing process and should be considered a living document

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Expert meeting on V&A methods/tools25-26 April, Manila

• Identified short-term and long term work on the Compendium, including:– Adding new methods identified at the meeting;

– Refining and up-dating information;

– Creating a data base

– Introducing more “evaluative” approach to information on methods

– Conducting periodical reviews updating

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Conclusion

Purpose of the work

– To enhance the dissemination of information on available methods, particularly for use by developing countries in V&A assessments

– To assist all Parties in selecting and applying the best available methods by providing comprehensive, yet concise, information about their key features

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and finally…

The Compendium is on the UNFCCC website:

http://unfccc.int/adaptation/methodologies_for/vulnerability_and_adaptation/items/2674.php

Please visit and contribute !

Acknowledgments

• Stratus Consulting and group of experts for helping in developing the Compendium

• 14 Experts for reviewing the Compendium during the Manila Meeting