Genesis of Climate Resilient Highland Transformation

Genesis of Climate Resilient Highlands TransformationKelali Adhana (PhD) Director General Tigray Science and Technology Agency

July 23, 2012Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

123 July 2012Presentation OutlineIntroductionGrowth and Transformation PlanClimate Resilient Green EconomyPolicy option on climate changeClimate ResilienceEconomics of Climate ChangeResiliency (definition)EnvironmentEnvironment resiliency and SocietyBiodiversity and ResiliencyResiliency in knowledgeClimate Resilient Highland TransformationObjectiveAgricultureEnergyInfrastructureWays forwardConclusion

223 July 2012Introduction323 July 2012Introduction...423 July 20124

Millennium Development Goals523 July 2012Ethiopia did not cause climate change, but we are confronted by the threat that it poses, and should recognize the opportunity that it presents. Empower all Ethiopians to prepare for climate change. Help citizens build their Resilience to climate shocks.Help citizens make their contribution to Ethiopias new green economy. National response to climate change through Ethiopias Program of Adaptation to Climate Change (EPACC) and

623 July 2012The program calls for active participation of stakeholders of various nature The CRGE Vision aims to provide Ethiopia with a common goal and roadmap for achieving a Climate Resilient Green Economy.Ethiopias weather is likely to become more unpredictable in the coming years, with increased flooding and drought.

Building Climate Resilience But it is a huge and urgent challenge for the country

723 July 2012The climate change will impact on all aspects of Ethiopias economy, and particularly on: Health, Infrastructure/Transport, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Energy Industry sectors. Climate action plans will identify opportunities for mainstreaming climate change into sectoral and regional development strategies.823 July 2012

923 July 2012Policy Options on Climate ChangeConfronting the challenges Communities are uprooted and forced to migrate as a consequence of extreme weather eventsMitigate risks and create opportunities for affected people.Reduce human suffering and economic loss: including those living in precarious locations (highlands) Provide better access/chance of enjoying a sustainable livelihood with access to food, water and social services.

1023 July 2012Climate ResilienceDefinition Climate resilience is the ability to cope with, and manage the change brought by weather stresses and shocks. A climate resilient economy is thus one which is protected against the negative impacts of extreme climate events, normally referred to as the weather, and climate change so that the well-being of the people and the economic growth and prospects of the country are not damaged by the impacts

1123 July 2012Economics of Climate ChangeFocus on competing market system: increase the competition for resources (causes resource depletion)Adapting to climate change: increasing crop yields, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions but demands resource and technology Formulating policies, strategies, regulatory frameworks and policy-induced interactive climate for business and investment but lack of integration amongst stakeholders However, given the scenarios, economies around the world are reorienting towards low-carbon, green growth paths. And, Ethiopia has taken the leading role by launching CGRE

1223 July 2012DefinitionsThe capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and reorganize while undergoing change so as to still retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks The amount of change the system can undergo and still retain the same controls on function and structureThe degree to which the system is capable of self-organizationThe ability to build and increase the capacity for learning and adaptation1323 July 2012Strong synergies between climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management and governanceIncreasing ecological awareness through public campaigns, mainstreaming environmental concerns in all government policiesStrengthening government and Civil Society Organizations capacity in environmental management and adaptation policy issuesRequires new types of institutional arrangements, coordination of a range of actors, institutions and processes1423 July 2012Resiliency of our Environment and Society The Resilience of different humans to the changes in climate that are already occurring and will continue for the foreseeable future is important focus and concern of professionals and government. The degree to which any population is resilient will depend on its sensitivity to specific elements of climate change and its capacity to adapt. Sensitivity will be influenced by factors such as location and the level of food security and water supplies. Resilience of human populations to climate change will vary between and within nations

1523 July 2012Resiliency of our Environment and Society Within any society, the most marginal groups in terms of income, health and education are likely to be the most sensitive to climate change and the least well equipped to adapt without assistance from those better off. A critical role for policy makers in social resilience when framing measures to adapt to climate change.

1623 July 2012Biodiversity and ResilienceMove from mono-centric to polycentric governancealso called adaptive governanceand application of the principle of subsidiary, or giving decision-making ability to those most able to detect challenges and opportunities and take appropriate and timely action.Resilience of applying traditional command and control management, based on simple notions of economic efficiency, to conservation policy and managementEnvironmental efficiency relates to how well the built environment encourages the efficient use of natural resources

1723 July 2012Biodiversity and Resilience1823 July 201218Resilience in KnowledgeLocal ecological knowledge is a valuable asset in observing and managing environmental changesPeople experience resiliency/adapting to biophysical changes in their local environment for centuries.With changes now occurring at unprecedented rates, the ways in which highlanders have adapted (in the past and present) can assist in planning for culturally-appropriate strategies in the future.What is at our disposal to design hard tangible adaptation strategies to cope with climate changes?Commitment from Elders to transfer knowledge and laws to the younger generation.

1923 July 2012Resilience in KnowledgeLocal, traditional knowledge is already facilitating both 'hard' and 'soft' adaptation to climate change : demonstrating the resourcefulness of such knowledge and how it can facilitate adaptation and build community resilience.Local communities should drive decisions concerning adaptation, and draw on their local resources and knowledge in order to promote the ownership of locally-appropriate responses.2023 July 2012Climate Resilient Highlands transformation

2123 July 2012

Ethiopian Highlands in Red Color2223 July 2012Climate Resilient Highlands TransformationGrand Objective:To Design Climate Resilient Highlands Transformation Nation Program that would significantly contribute to GTP in line with the framework of CRGE mainly focusing on:AgricultureEnergy Infrastructure

2323 July 2012Highlands in EthiopiaIn the Ethiopian context, a significant number of highland communities are :Sensitive to climate change and some are considered to be potentially at risk Communities may have considerable scope and resources to plan for and adapt to such change. However,Without effectively coordinated planning and action at national, state and local levels, the potentials of resilience may not be realized.

2423 July 2012Highlands in EthiopiaFor many of highland communities, climate change represents a major threat: Land degradation, Increasing temperatures Changes in seasonal rainfall variability which is impacting these communities in many ways, including through changes in plant and animal populations.These in turn profoundly influence communities to lack Resilience or a willingness and capacity to identify and seize opportunities that are likely to accompany change.

2523 July 2012Highlands in EthiopiaBut climate change poses an unprecedented test to farmers, and it is difficult for them to be resilient to uncertain futureThen, poor and vulnerable farming communities need support to cope up with climate change impacts Opportunities emerging from climate change include: Carbon abatement and sequestration, Solar and wind farms, biodiesel, and others. These opportunities can ensure creation of Green jobs across highlands and elsewhere

2623 July 2012Highlands in EthiopiaDesigning Networks and adaptation initiatives for highlands protected Areas to be Resilient to Climate Change in order farmers to:Increase production and productivity of agricultureConserve their environmentManage natural resources

2723 July 2012Highlands in Ethiopia2823 July 2012Energy SectorThe Securing a Clean Energy Future plan for highlands aims to prompt a move away from business as usual

Alternative energy sources are critical in times of climate change and the challenge is what sources of energy are important to Highlands (given the agro-ecology)

Highlands demand huge energy and because shortage or non-existent natural resources are at risk (overlooked)

2923 July 2012Mitigation-Energy sectorExplore low-carbon development within the context of the green economy Address energy access challenges in the context of the low carbon economyExplore opportunities across highlands and develop best practices to enhance carbon sequestration and reduced emissionsEnergy access, involving a detailed analysis of the challenges, development of a set of low carbon energy scenarios for the region, and an exploration of the institutional frameworks and governance arrangements needed for building sustainable, resilient and socially inclusive energy systems across Highlands

3023 July 2012Facilitators/Drivers of Climate ChangeThe resultant pressures on environment are due to: population growth, economic growth and climate change Population growth leads to increased urban footprint increased traffic increased pollution increased consumption.Economic growth leads to increased traffic increased pollutionincreased consumption.

3123 July 2012Infrastructure sector Africa is currently experiencing a decade of economic growth. A key ingredient required for Africas attainment of its development aspiration is the rapid upgrading of the regions infrastructures, which are at present inadequate. Billion dollars per year for the next decade will need to be invested if Africa is to fill the infrastructure gap.

3223 July 2012Infrastructure sectorRelatively little is known about how climate change may affect the desirable design, location, timing, and composition of the stock of infrastructure Climate Impacts on infrastructure development network in the Water, Health, Education, and TransportInfrastructure investments in the face of climate uncertainty;Formulate climate resilience of infrastructure development in the sectors of inquiry, & mobilize the required resourcesinvestment in the infrastructure sectors of inquiry may be inadequate to the climate of the future3323 July 201233Ways forward Identify technology options and devise policies that help smallholders to grow food, care for the earth and improve their livelihoods in the process.Define role of local and indigenous knowledge in facilitating climate change adaptation in the HighlandsReview climate change from the problems and the solutionsCalibrate/recalibrate program interventions to fit existing and future challenges

3423 July 2012Conclusion Climate resiliency has tremendous dimensions and the impact goes accordingly on:Environment: environmental Resilience, Biodiversity resilience, Social: community resilience, knowledge resilienceEconomy: resilient infrastructure,Resiliency should be meant principally to address these dimensions amongst others3523 July 2012Thank you for your Attention3623 July 2012