National Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy
ADB TA 7326-SRI
Primary Goals
• Support Government initiative to bring focus on
the need for adaptation to climate change
• Help safeguard Sri Lanka’s development
trajectory from impacts of climate change
• Move stakeholders towards adaptation project
development/investment footing
• Exploit potential to capture concessional funding
sources
Primary Output
• Develop a comprehensive National Climate
Change Adaptation Strategy
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A prioritized framework for action
Based on national development priorities
The basis for mobilizing resources
Move the nation towards a climate change resilient
future
Guiding Principles:
• Pragmatic solutions, in line with national
development agenda
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Mahinda Chinthana
National Physical Planning Policy and Plan
National Environment Policy
Haritha Lanka Programme
• Harness the wealth of expertise and knowledge
already available
– Participatory process that engages key stakeholder
groups
Guiding Principles:
• Initiate process to mobilize significant
investments
– Elevate thinking above a mere advocacy agenda
– Mobilize resources to support and sustain
development
• Mobilize people/institutions
– Stimulate stakeholder interest and initiative
Why Adapt?
Aggressive Development Targets
• Unprecedented scale of investment expected in
next few years:
– Rs. 600 billion on human settlements;Rs. 150 billion
on urban development;Rs. 160 billion on roads and
railways;Over Rs. 120 billion on irrigation and drinking
water schemes;2.5 million tourists and 35,000 hotel
rooms.
– However climate change considerations are
currently NOT included in development /
investment planning in Sri Lanka.
The Results
The Strategy Development
Process
Key Steps in the Adaptation
Strategy Development Process
• Develop Sector Vulnerability Profiles for key
sectors
• Identify key strategic thrusts
• Identify and prioritize strategic investments for
climate change adaptation
• Engage with broad range of stakeholders
throughout entire process
Recurrent Themes During
Consultations
• Climate change-related risks aggravate existing
development disparities and problems.
• Problems are rarely isolated clearly within one sector—
cross sectoral linkages are common
• A multidisciplinary approach is critical.
• Integrated solutions straddling multiple sectors are
needed to address key concerns.
From SVPs to Strategy
Establishing the Strategy Framework
NCCAS Positioning
• NCCAS must support and mirror the country’s
development trajectory
• Rational and constructive interventions to
ensure long-term sustainability
• Prevention is better than cure
The Strategy
Originated from analysis of vulnerability-SVPs
Framework established and internally endorsed
Framework circulated for comment
Thematic areas and interventions identified and
prioritized through consultations
Draft refined through further consultations
Final draft circulated for comment
Adaptation project concept notes collected
Structure of the Strategy
• Strategic Thrusts
– Thematic Areas
• Priority Adaptation Measures
• IEC Strategy
• Adaptation Project Pipeline
Strategic Thrust #1:
Mainstream
Climate Change Adaptation into
National Planning and
Development
Thrust 1: Thematic Areas
A. Strengthen national level climate-adaptation planning
and implementation capacity
B. Ensure future investments/economic plans are climate
resilient
C. Systematically research climate change-adaptation
options and disseminate knowledge
D. Increase financing for climate change adaptation
E. Inform and mobilize stakeholders at multiple levels in
support of climate adaptation
Strategic Thrust #2:
Enable
Climate Resilient and Healthy
Human Settlements
Thrust 2: Key Issues
• Improved land use planning needed
• Demand for water increasing, yet resource
threatened
• Climate-linked public health concerns rising
• Adaptative measures developed are poorly
utilized
• Awareness on climate risks is low
Thrust 2: Thematic Areas
A.
Mobilize stakeholders for climate change adaptation of
settlements
B.
Improve planning to include climate change
considerations
C.
Ensure adequate quality and quantity of water for
settlements
D.
Combat climate change-related health concerns in
settlements
E.
Increase awareness on vulnerabilities and adaptation
of settlements
Strategic Thrust #3
Minimize
Climate Change Impacts on
Food Security
Thrust 3: Thematic Areas
A. Ensure ability to meet food production and
nutrition demand
B. Ensure adequate water availability for
agriculture
C. Mitigate food security-related socio-economic
impacts
D. Increase awareness and mobilize communities
for climate change adaptation
Strategic Thrust #4
Improve
Climate Resilience of
Key Economic Drivers
Thematic Areas
A. Minimize impacts of climate change on
infrastructure
B. Minimize impacts of climate change on
plantation sector
C. Assist key industries in coping with climate
change impacts
D. Raise awareness about climate vulnerability in
key economic sectors
Strategic Thrust #5
Safeguard
Natural Resources and Biodiversity
from Climate Change Impacts
Thrust 5: Thematic Areas
A.
Ensure adequate quality and quantity of water for
human wellbeing and ecosystem services
B. Enhance climate change resilience of terrestrial
ecosystems and their services
C. Enhance the resilience of coastal and marine
ecosystems and associated vulnerable species
D. Enhance climate change resilience of natural inland
wetlands and associated species.
E. Address socioeconomic concerns resulting from
climate change impacts on biodiversity
F. Research, monitor and address impacts of climate
change on biodiversity
G. Raise awareness and mobilize stakeholders for
conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services
CC Adaptation Project Pipeline
• Project concepts developed by range of
stakeholders
• Straddle across all strategic thrusts
• Various scales
• Documented in separate volume
• Continuous process
Financing the Strategy
The Financing Envelope
• Some activities will be effectively budget neutral
• Low expenditure in 2011—ramp up.
• Strengthen/refocus CCS, organize
stakeholders/mechanisms first
• Financing for interventions could potentially
come from many sources
Sources of Financing
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Treasury
Multilateral and bilateral DA
Adaptation Fund
Recurrent budgets
Private sector
Civil society
Where Should the Money Go?
• Resources should be channelled DIRECTLY to
agencies that can implement interventions
• Access to financing for NGOs/CBOs and
research institutions should also be enabled
• Aggressive pursuit of resources required
• Min. of Environment to play facilitation and
coordination role
Implementing the Strategy