Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ... - ITU

4. The way forward: suggested next steps
In face of unprecedented climatic challenges and uncertainty, developing countries such as Ghana are
exploring novel approaches to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The role of ICTs is
crucial for the success of such approaches, particularly in regard to adaptation. The increasing need to
integrate the existent knowledge base on climate change adaptation and the potential of ICT tools in
coherent policies and practices is not an easy task.
The analysis presented thus far illustrates the complexity of adaptation actions, especially in developing
contexts that face multiple climatic and non-climatic stressors. At the same time, given that climate change
adaptation is a multi-dimensional process, no single ICT solution can deliver all of the necessary capabilities
required for adaptation in Ghana or in any other developing context 63 .
This section provides a suggested framework of action to facilitate the integration of ICTs and climate
change adaptation strategies by developing countries. Key entry points are drawn from the experience of
Ghana, in order to illustrate how these countries could approach future actions in this field.
4.1 A framework for ICTs and adaptation policy formulation
The case of Ghana evidences the close linkages that exist between the international, the national, the
sectoral and community levels in the process of integrating ICTs and climate change adaptation. Suggested
actions in each of these levels include:
a) International level
Within UNFCCC, the Cancun Adaptation Framework, which resulted from negotiations on enhanced action
on adaptation as part of the Bali Action Plan, established an Adaptation Committee and a Work Program
which will consider approaches to loss and damage linked to climate impacts in vulnerable countries.
Ultimately, the CAF seeks to reduce vulnerability and build resilience in developing countries, taking into
account the urgent and immediate needs of the most vulnerable countries. The Adaptation Committee,
which will coordinate and guide adaptation action, was launched at the UNFCCC negotiations at COP-17
held in Durban, November/December 2011. Considering the operationalization of the Committee and the
renewed momentum of adaptation issues, the role of ICTs as a means to rapidly communicate about
extreme events and support adaptation processes should be explored and highlighted in the negotiations.
Additionally, the active engagement of developing countries such as Ghana in international efforts aimed at
coordinating actions in the ICT and climate change fields (e.g., Coalition on ICTs and Climate Change) should
be maintained and fostered as important ways of raising awareness, building on synergies and avoiding
duplication of efforts.
b) National level
The formulation of National Adaptation Plans (NAP) or specific adaptation strategies should take into
consideration several key activities aimed at ensuring a coherent approach to the use of ICT tools as part of
adaptive actions.
It is suggested that ICTs can contribute to National Adaptation Plans through five main domains 64 :
(1) Informed decision-making
(2) Stakeholder engagement
(3) Adaptation delivery
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