Scaling up adaptation through greater synergy with disaster risk reduction

Within a week of the release of the synthesis of the 6th Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which highlights the narrowing window of adaptation options, the 8th staging of the NAP Expo was held in Santiago, Chile from 27 to 30 March 2023, under the theme “Scaling up Adaptation”.

Recognizing the importance of disaster risk reduction in scaling-up adaptation, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) and the Adaptation Action Coalition (AAC) brought together experts and country representatives at the NAP Expo to share their perspectives on integrating climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR). 

The panelists converged on the value of enhancing synergies between disaster risk reduction and adaptation, clustered in two main themes: finance, and country contexts. Setting the stage on finance was Allan Lavell, disaster risk management specialist and a Sasakawa awardee. Lavell argued that an adequate financial mechanism is a necessary part of normalizing a CRM approach, along with institutional coordination and modernization, accounting, political will and social saliency. 

Valentina Villoria, Regional Officer for Latin America in the Green Climate Fund (GCF), was on hand to share opportunities to plug some of finance gaps through the GCF. These included grants for Readiness Support (including adaptation planning) and a Project Preparation Facility, as well as resources for full-scale projects and programmes. Examples from Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Cambodia, Cuba, and Tanzania were among the case studies presented. 

The case of Chile, as shared by Dafne Nuñez, SINAPRED (National Center for Disaster Risk Estimation, Prevention and Reduction), highlights how governance instruments were among the drivers of change identified. The country has established dedicated legislation for climate change (the Climate Change Framework Law 21,455) and the management of disaster risk (Law 21,364). While integration is ongoing, there are some positive signs; Dafne said that, “one of the benefits identified is the increased efficiency of different management instruments.”

Patrick Mkwapatira, Environment Officer from Malawi, provided insights in how institutional arrangements and coordination have been supporting an integrated approach. In Malawi, this was an ask from the civil society organizations and academia, which resulted in merging of two National Technical Committees for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (DRM). This enabled the mainstreaming of CCA and DRR across sectoral policies, strategies and programmes with the involvement of key stakeholders. There were also general reflections as well on the role of the private sector in coordination mechanisms. They are among the key actors that are considered essential but there was an acknowledgement that stronger engagement is necessary. 

Isaac Okiror, Measurement, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Officer, also highlighted how Uganda is ensuring a vertical integration of a joint DRR-CCA policy at the national and district-level, and how this has been essential in overcoming the siloes between DRR and CCA. A multi-sector lens is also required to ensure the implementation of an integrated approach. Isaac further stated that one of the most important considerations is “to see how to strengthen coordination of institutions that manage both [DRR and CCA] and so avoid silos…”

Saint Lucia pointed out the importance of adopting a people-centered approach, with dedicated consultations to bring together CCA and DRR. Maier Sifflet, Sustainable Development and Environment Officer in Saint Lucia, noted that the engagement of the private sector and the empowerment of civil society organizations was a critical factor in implementing the DRR and CCA strategies. In addition, many counties, including Saint Lucia, are facing the growing impact of limits to adaptation resulting in loss and damage. In reflecting on this reality, Maier emphasized the value of integrating disaster risk reduction and adaptation in reducing these limits. 

The balance of men and women among the presenters and panelists is worth noting. It was a reminder that integrated approaches must be gender-responsive and inclusive, giving voice and attention to at-risk groups. 

There is optimism of a changing tide. Scaling up adaptation, as was the theme for the Expo, is possible and urgently required. Taking an integrated approach is a practical step forward to take adaptation to the needed scale.