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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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Collectively Addressing Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Loss & Damage

18th October 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka — The APN, in collaboration with the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) held a session themed “Collectively addressing Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Loss & Damage” at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

While understanding the manifestation of the extreme and slow-onset events and associated residual loss and damage, there are needs for disaster risk reduction/management strategies and effective climate adaptation practices in all sectors and locations across regions. With the belief that it is important to learn from past risks by focusing on climate impacts as a result of extreme and slow-onset events, and adopting strategies to cope with them, The APN, in collaboration with the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) held a session themed “Collectively addressing Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Loss & Damage” at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The session provides examples of selected ongoing projects from a range of sectors and geographical locations that focus on linkages between climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and loss & damage with a view of providing unique methodologies and approaches that would be relevant to science, policy, and public sectors to ensure a more resilient Asia-Pacific. The APN session also provided a venue for APN’s project leaders and experts to share their perspectives and experiences with the audience across the region and develop partnerships for future cooperation.

Dr. Linda Anne Stevenson, Head of APN Communication and Scientific Affairs Division, moderated the session and summarised the discussions that ensued.

For a full report of the session: S3-PS.3 Report
For a copy of the new APN Publication: Linking DRR, CCA and L&D: Activities under the APN Climate Adaptation Framework

Presentations

Building capacity for reducing loss and damage resulting from slow and rapid onset climatic extremes through risk reduction and proactive adaptation within the broader context of sustainable development.
Prof. Kamarulazizi Ibrahim – Director, Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Malaysia, email: [email protected]

Methods Toolbox for Assessing Loss and Damage at Local Level
Dr. Hina Lotia – Director Programme, LEAD Pakistan, email : [email protected]

Integrated Flood Modeling and Pre-Disaster Loss Estimation in Asian countries
Dr. Srikantha Herath – Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, Sri Lanka, email: [email protected]

Can traditional livelihoods and mining co-exist in a changing climate: Strengthening Public-Private partnerships in Mongolia to reduce risk and address loss and damage
Dr. Vigya Sharma – Research Fellow, Energy and Poverty Research Group, Australia, email: [email protected]

Key Messages

Dr. Stevenson summarised the session by stressing some key points:

  • Loss and Damage is universal – it’s important to explore how to manage L&D, identify metrics of loss and damage as it’s different in each specific country.
  • Informing science to policy is not only one nation’s problem. In South Asia, for example, we share the same ecosystem which means we have to look at issues collectively and collaboratively. This is no longer a choice if we want to make progress.
  • Without knowledge and collaboration, we are unable to manage on the ground level.
  • It’s more necessary to link loss and damage to natural phenomena and if we can model/project the estimation without investigation, it would be better.
  • Multi-stakeholders should value partnerships and be aware of the co-benefits that partnerships can provide.
  • Governments, local authorities and communities are the top 3 actors.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

About the APN:

The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) is a network of 22 Member Country governments that promotes global change research in the region, increases developing country involvement in that research, and strengthens interactions between the science community and policy makers.

APN was established in 1996 and its Secretariat is based in Kobe, Japan. APN supports its member countries via annual open calls for research and capacity development proposals under its core programmes and frameworks, and by organising events such as science-policy dialogues and proposal development training workshops to engage the participation of scientists and policy makers in achieving its science and policy agendas.

Additional resources

APN website: www.apn-gcr.org
APN E-Lib (for APN funded projects information and Publications): www.apn-gcr.org/resources
List of APN projects with Sri Lanka involvement: Sri Lanka involved projects
More information on the 5th APAN Forum http://www.asiapacificadapt.net/adaptationforum/2016
APN logo: https://www.apn-gcr.org/download-apn-logo/

For more information, please contact:

  • Dr. Linda Anne Stevenson, Head, Division of Communication and Scientific Affairs, APN Secretariat, email: [email protected]
  • Dr. Saleemul Huq, Director, International Centre for Climate Change Adaptation & Development (ICCCAD), Bangladesh, email: [email protected]
  • Ms. Dinh Huong Long, Programme Fellow, APN Secretariat, email: [email protected]