ICTs and Climate Change
Adaptation
Angelica V Ospina, University of Manchester, UK
Cristina Bueti, International Telecommunication Union
(ITU)
International
Telecommunication
Union
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Outline
PART I - Angelica
The Integration of ICTs and Climate Change Adaptation
PART II -Cristina
Preview of Upcoming Report: “Climate Change
Adaptation, Mitigation and ICT: The Case of Ghana”
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PART I
ICTs & Climate Change Adaptation
Angelica V Ospina
Center for Development Informatics
University of Manchester, UK
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Background- Part I
•
‘Climate Change, ICTs and Innovation’ project
(2009-2012).
•
University of Manchester, UK, in partnership with
Canada’s IDRC
•
“Making Policy on ICTs and Climate Change in
Developing Countries”
http://www.niccd.org/ICCD_Policy_Guidance_Paper.pdf
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Meeting Point
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ICTs and CC Adaptation:
1. Why to meet?
2. Where to meet?
3. How to meet?
Conclusion: Guiding Principles
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1. WHY should ICT and CC Adaptation Meet?
• Informed Decision-making
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Feedback and
Learning
Policy
PROCESS
ICT and CC
ADAPTATION
POLICIES
• Adaptation
Policy
Delivery
CONTENT
Policy
• Institutional
Capacity Building
STRUCTURES
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2. WHERE do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet?
ICTs
Climate Change
Adaptation
INTERNATIONAL
Level
NATIONAL
Level
SECTORAL
Level
COMMUNITY
Level
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3. HOW do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet
ICT’s contribution to:
-Process
-Content
-Structures
Formulation of a CC Adaptation Strategy
Task 3b:
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Task 1:
Task 2a:
Task 2b:
Synthesise
Knowledge
Design
Adaptation
Strategy
Formulate
Adaptation
Options
Task 2c:
Select
Adaptation
Measures
Task 2d:
Formulate
Adaptation
Strategy
Task 3a:
Implementation
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HOW do ICT and CC Adaptation Meet:
PROCESS
ICT 1. Informed Decision-Making
ICT 2. Stakeholder Engagement
ICT 3. Feedback and Learning
Synthesise
Knowledge
Design
Adaptation
Strategy
Formulate
Adaptation
Options
Select
Adaptation
Measures
Formulate
Adaptation
Strategy
ICT 5. Institutional Capacity Building
STRUCTURE
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Implementation
ICT 4. Adaptation
Delivery
CONTENT
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a. ICT and Policy Process
Informed
Decision-Making
Foster the use of ICTs to
inform
decision-making within
climate change adaptation
processes
Stakeholder
Engagement
Promote the use of ICTs in
the consolidation of
partnerships, participation
and inclusion
Feedback and
Learning
Support the use of ICTs in
the creation of new
knowledge and the
dissemination of existing
and emerging adaptation
experiences
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b. ICT and Policy Content
Adaptation
Delivery
Foster the use of ICTs in the
delivery of adaptation
priorities, in regards to key
sectors/issues
Agriculture and Food Security
Water
Health
Education
Habitat and Infrastructure
Terrestrial and Coastal Ecosystems
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c. ICT and Policy Structures
Institutional
Capacity
Building
Promote the use of ICTs
to strengthen the
institutions involved in
adaptation strategies
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c. ICT and Policy Structures
SCIENCE
STATE
ICTs and
CLIMATE CHANGE
POLICY
STRUCTURES
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY
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Meeting Point
WHY
WHERE
HOW
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In Conclusion: Guiding Principles

ICT and CC Adaptation as a Process, not a
Blueprint

ICT and CC Adaptation Strategies as a
reflection of Local Priorities

ICT and CC Adaptation as an Opportunity
for Innovation

ICT and CC Adaptation as an Integrated
Approach

ICT and CC Adaptation Strategies based on a
‘Climate-Smart Development’ Vision
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PART II
-PreviewClimate Change Adaptation,
Mitigation and ICTs:
The Case of Ghana
Cristina Bueti
Advisor on Environment and Climate
Change
ITU
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Background
 ITU’s Sixth Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and
Climate Change, Ghana, 7th-8th July 2011.
 Accra Call to Action: Recognition of ICT’s role in
Adaptation, Mitigation, Capacity Building and Technology
Transfer:
 Enhance the transformational role of ICT for climate change
adaptation and disaster risk reduction, will require the use of three
technology types: telecommunication systems, observation
systems, and information systems.
 Recognize that there is need to build capacities in developing
countries to support ICT as tool for climate change adaptation and
DRR. Capacity development is required in three dimensions institutional development, human resources enhancement
and systems development, in particular, relating to legislative
and regulatory frameworks.
 Forge partnerships and engage all stakeholders to address climate
change, due to its multi-disciplinary nature, is critical.
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ITU Project in Ghana
“Climate Change
Adaptation, Mitigation
and ICTs:
The Case of Ghana”
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Key Stakeholders:
Agencies
Sponsors
International
Telecommunication
Union (ITU)
Ministry of
Communications
°
In cooperation with
Environmental
Protection Agency
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Impacts of Climate Change in Ghana
Evidence of climate change abound in
Ghana. Temperature has increased by
0.6 - 0.8 °C since 1960.
According to projections of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
by 2080 the rainfall will reduce by 20%
to 40% while the temperature will rise by
4.5 C.
All these conditions will not be suitable
for the growing of cocoa anywhere in
the country.
The rainfall pattern is affecting maize
production. By 2020 it is projected that
there will be a 7% decline in production.
“Africa's contribution to
greenhouse gases is low;
however the continent is
suffering the most in
terms of the effects of
climate change.
Cocoa for instance could
become a rare crop in the
next 15 years if
something is not done to
reverse the effects of
climate change.”
H.E. John Dramani
Mahama, Vice
President, Ghana
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ICT and CC Adaptation at Different Levels:
The Case of Ghana
ICTs
Ghana’s
Climate Change
Adaptation
INTERNATIONAL
Level
NATIONAL
Level
ICTs & CC
Adaptation
• Role within International
CC Negotiations and
Actions
Key Stages of the Adaptation
Process:
• Informed Decision Making
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Adaptation Delivery
• Feedback & Learning
• Institutional Capacity
Building
Examples related to:
SECTORAL &
COMMUNITY
Level
•
•
•
•
Food Security
Water Supply
Health
Infrastructure
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Setting an ICT and CC Policy Structure
National Climate Change
Strategy
International Climate
Change
Negotiations/Partners
(e.g. UNFCCC, ITU)
National Poverty
Reduction/Develop
ment Plans
STRATEGIC LEVEL: ICT AND CC POLICY DESING
Key ICT and Environmental Authorities
Ministry of ICTs/
Telecommunications
Ministry of
Environment
High-Level
Advisory
Group on
ICTs, CC
and Sectoral
Priorities
OPERATIONAL LEVEL: ICT AND CC POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
Other Government Institutions with ICTs and
Environmental Responsibilities
Other
Ministries
National
Regulatory
Bodies
Operational
and Technical
Deployment
Territorial and Local Authorities
Other
Sectors
National
Research
Institutes
Civil
Society
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Policy Process for the Integration of
ICTs and CC
 Awareness raising and strategizing, with a focus on the specific
climatic issues, needs and priorities of the context.
 Problem definition, based on vulnerability and technology
assessments, in collaboration with local stakeholders.
 Identification of ICT-enabled solutions and standards, with a
focus on identifying appropriate ICT-enabled applications.
 Identification and selection of policies/strategies/standards
that integrate ICTs and adaptation actions.
 Implementation and Evaluation
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Key Areas of Action:
Preliminary Assessment

No single ICT solution, but flexible, combined
approaches that prioritize the most appropriate
technologies for the local context.

Key ICT functions: observation, analysis, planning,
implementation and management, capacity building
and networking.

Design and implementation of long-term
strategies that integrate issues of ICT and climate
change content, structures and process.

Continue to raise awareness on ICTs’ adaptation
and mitigation potential.
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Next Steps:
 “Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and
ICTs: The Case of Ghana” to be Published July
2012.
 ITU’s Green Standards Week- September
2012, Paris.
 Online Meeting with Q & A once the Report is
published- Date TBC
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Conclusion
The Honourable
Haruna Iddrisu,
Minister of
Communications,
Ghana
“Climate change is
affecting Ghana’s
economic output and
livelihoods and is a threat
to our development
prospects. This is now
everybody’s business,
and all stakeholders need
to be part of the
response.”
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More Information
Cristina Bueti
greenstandard@itu.int
http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/
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Thank YOU
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