CGE TRAINING MATERIALS VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION
ASSESSMENT
CHAPTER 10
Communication of V&A Analysis in the National
Communications
Objectives and Expectations
• Having read this presentation, in conjunction with the
related handbook, the reader should:
a) Have an overview the relevant provisions under
the Convention on reporting information on
vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) from non-Annex
I Parties
b) Have a basic understanding on how to effectively
present the results of the V&A assessment,
taking into account the target audience of the
report.
2
Outline
• Review COP decision on V&A reporting
• General guidance for reporting
• Address reporting on:
a) Methods
b) Vulnerability
c) Adaptation
• Final thoughts
UNFCCC Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines
• 32. Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide
information on the scope of their vulnerability and
adaptation assessment, including identification of
vulnerable areas that are most critical
• 33. Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to include a
description of approaches, methodologies and tools used,
including scenarios for the assessment of impacts of, and
vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change, as well as
any uncertainties inherent in these methodologies.
UNFCCC Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines
• 34. Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide
information on their vulnerability to the impacts of, and
their adaptation to, climate change in key vulnerable
areas. Information should include key findings, and
direct and indirect effects arising from climate change,
allowing for an integrated analysis of the country’s
vulnerability to climate change.
• 35. Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide
information on and, to the extent possible, an evaluation
of, strategies and measures for adapting to climate
change, in key areas, including those which are of the
highest priority.
UNFCCC Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines
• 36. Where relevant, Parties may report on the use of
policy frameworks, such as national adaptation
programmes, plans and policies for developing and
implementing adaptation strategies and measures.
Communication
Definition:
• The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information,
by speech, visuals, signals, writing or behaviour
• A two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in
which participants not only exchange information but
also create and share meaning.
Communication
• Requires a sender, a message and a recipient, although
the receiver need not be present or aware of the
sender’s intent to communicate at the time of
communication
• Can occur across vast distances in time and space
• Is complete once the receiver has understood the
message of the sender
• The purpose could be to generate action, inform, create
understanding or communicate certain ideas or points.
Communication
• The national communication needs to clearly communicate
vulnerability and adaptation findings:
a) Describe methods and results of analyses
b) Synthesize and integrate results.
• The national communication needs to clearly communicate:
a) Who and what is vulnerable:
• How that may vary across time and geographic region
b) Who will be adapting to climate change
c) What is required to adapt:
• Where and when.
First Thing: Remember the Purpose
• Who is the audience for the national communication ?
• What kind of information do they need?
• How can it be presented to them, most effectively?
Create a Simple Communications Plan
• Use best-practice approaches from the communications
industry
• Carefully consider:
a) Communication objectives
b) Audience analysis
c) Key messages
d) Communication tools
e) Action plan.
Reporting on Methods
• National communications should include a description
of the methods used:
a) Remembering that the audience may be nontechnical
b) The description should be concise
c) Details can be left to appendices or supporting
documents.
Example: Jamaica’s Second National Communication
Reporting on Vulnerabilities
• Present details clearly
• Present who and what is most vulnerable
• The key is:
a) Organization
b) Clarity
c) Simplicity
d) No ambiguity.
Example: Mongolia, Second National Communication
Example: Bhutan’s Second National Communication
Example: Vietnam’s Second National Communication
Closed tropical moist semi-deciduous forests distribution changes, climate change scenario B2
Reporting Adaptation Results
• The same key principles apply:
a) Organization
b) Clarity
c) Simplicity.
• Present adaptation options clearly
• Evaluate or rank adaptations options:
a) Consider possible effectiveness within your country.
Example: Guinea-Bissau Second National Communication
Extract from Table 34: Strategies and adaptation measures envisaged
Example: Antigua and Barbuda Second National Communication
Helpful Resources
• Communication as a Reform Tool for the UN:
<www.unssc.org/web1/programmes/sc/documents/Booklet_FINA
L_3.25.02.pdf>.
• European Association for the Promotion of Science and
Technology website
<www.euroscience.org/science-communication,33521,en.html>.
• Communicating climate change: A toolbox for local organizations
in the Caribbean:
<http://www.canari.org/documents/Communicatingclimatechange
Atoolboxforlocalorgansationspdf.pdf>.
Conclusions
• All communications, whether intentionally or
unintentionally, have some effect
• Communication that produces the desired effect or
result is effective communication
• Effective communication generates and maintains the
desired effect and serves the purpose for which it was
planned or designed
• Effective communication also ensures that message
distortion does not take place during the communication
process.
Conclusions (continued)
• A clear synthesis and reporting of results is important
• Analytic methods exist for analysing and ranking
adaptations
• National communications should report on:
a) Methods
b) Vulnerabilities
c) Adaptation measures
• Simple methods for reporting results can be most
effective in clearly communicating them.