Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy.
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
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Abstract: Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. Under the ‘Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy’ project, IIED, IUCN and the UN Environment World Conservancy Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) are working at 13 sites in 12 countries to gather practical evidence and develop policy guidance for governments on how EbA can best be implemented. The project has developed a definition of effective EbA and a framework for assessing EbA effectiveness which has been applied at all 13 sites and the results will be collated and compared to draw conclusions that are based on more than single case studies. This report presents the findings from a literature review, and interviews and a workshop with a wide of stakeholders conducted by the Adaptation Consortium at the project site in Kenya, where a fund was established to finance activities aimed at improving water availability, the provision of climate information, rangeland management and livestock health in an arid and semi-arid region.