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Trade Union perspectives on climate change

Introductory training session

Saturday 8th December 2007

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WHAT IS ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Adjustments in social, economic or ecological systems in respons to effects / impacts of climate change

Implying changes in processes / practices / structures in order to moderate / offset potential damages( - or take advantage of climate change opportunities)

People and communities have always adapted to variations in their climate based on accumulated knowledge.

Adaptation is the process of decreasing vulnerability (to weather patterns or climate extremes)

Current climate change: Coping capacities have been exceeded

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POLICY RESPONSES

Humanitarian aid (to victims of weather extremes)

Mitigation (of greenhouse gas emission). Magnitude of change depends on mitigation policies

Adaptation (to climate change impacts). Capacity to respond to climate change depends on capacity for adaptation. Important complement to mitigation action

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NEGOTIATON RESPONSES

MITIGATION

CLIMATE CHANGE

ADAPTATIONIMPACT

VULNERABILITIES

POLICY RESPONSES

HUMAN INTERFERENCE

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ADAPTATION POLICY INTERVENTIONS

Mainstreaming adaptation into sustainable development (social, economy, environment)

Strenghten institutional capacity to lessen gaps between - local and national processes- formal and informal economies

Improved governance; active civil society accountable policy and decision making

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TRADE UNION POSITION

Adaptation capacity is primarily related to income and capabilites – affected by availability of resources, information or access to services

Global solidarity through adapatation fund; technology transfer; direct financial flows

Social dimension in implementation of flexible mechanisms: social indicators / involvement

Positive employment effects:

- diversification of income opportunities

- agriculture, forestry, health, construction etc.

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UNFCCC PROCESS

• 2004 Buenos Aires: elaboration of five-year work programme

• 2005 Montreal: Adoption of programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change

• 2006 Nairobi: Renamed the Nairobi work programme. Agreed plan of activites up to 2008

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UNFCCC OBJECTIVES

Assisting in particular DC / LDC in:

improving understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation

deciding on practical actions and measures to respond to climate change

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ADAPTATION FUND

GEF Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA) 2004. Ecosystem focused, ensuring that climate change concerns are incorporated in the management of ecosystems. Pilot demonstration projects. USD 50 million

GEF Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) 2001. Development focused. Supports the poorest countries, which are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Requires the preparation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA). USD 90 million (Medium-sized projects up to US$ 1.5 million)

GEF Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) 2005. Development focused. concerned with development sectors most affected by climate change i.e. agriculture, water resources management, health, disaster-risk management and coastal zone management. Operational in October 2005. USD 60 million

The Adaptation Fund Not expected to generate significant resources until at least 2010 (Adaptation levy of 2% from the Clean Development Mechanism +++ ?)