1 June 2011
Failure to recognise the overlap between climate change adaptation and broader development plans is hampering progress towards climate resilience, warns new report.
Adaptation United: Building blocks from developing countries on integrated adaptation, has been published by aid agency Tearfund to mark World Environment Day (5 June).
It reveals that unhealthy competition for finance and power can often exist between different national ministries and sectors, and perceived development priorities can conflict directly with climate adaptation goals. The report insists that government departments must coordinate to ensure that development strategies are climate-proofed, to take account of the current and predicted future impacts of climate change.
Tearfund’s Head of Policy, Laura Webster, said, 'The integration of climate adaptation into national development planning is not a panacea that will solve all development challenges faced by developing countries, but it presents an unparalleled opportunity to build on the synergies between climate change and development to enable poor people to adapt effectively.'
The study focuses on nine countries’ activities on integration. The findings demonstrate that these countries, which cover Africa, Asia and Latin America, are making huge strides towards national cross-sectoral climate adaptation work.
Tearfund says that while progress is being made in some countries, the continued siloed actions of national development sectors is a harmful and costly barrier to long-term climate resilience.
Adaptation United highlights that climate change until recently has been seen as purely an environmental challenge, with the focal point for climate change issues being the ministry of environment. It points out that senior political leaders must coordinate adaptation across government departments; this will help stem the challenges around competing for limited resources.
The publication also draws attention to the rapid rotation of politicians and civil servants culminating in lost knowledge as a primary obstacle to integration: 'Ambition can be found in any government. Pressure to achieve objectives and to keep one’s own job despite a lack of resources or effective structures often means that decisions are made for the wrong reasons. Integration therefore needs to be actively promoted, explained and incentivised,' says Webster.
Tearfund warns donors that they must do more to allow countries to take ownership of their development and adaptation programmes, and cease from top-down meddling: 'Projects will only be sustainable if they are locally relevant, with civil society at the heart of development plans. This will enable greater accountability to the poorest and most vulnerable people.' Webster concluded.
For further information, a copy of the report or media interviews call Esther Williams on 07595 202438 or Tearfund Media Team on 0208 943 7792. For out of hours media enquiries please call 07710 573749
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency building a global network of churches to help eradicate poverty.
www.tearfund.org