ENG - UN CC:Learn

UNDP CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES:
Climate Change and Adaptation
There is broad-based agreement within the scientific community that the
Earth’s climate is changing due to human activities that produce emissions
of greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide. The impacts of climate
change are likely to weigh most heavily on people who depend on natural
systems for their livelihoods, especially the poor and vulnerable in developing
countries. Moreover, many sectors providing basic livelihoods for the
poor in developing countries often cannot withstand even today’s climate
variability, with extreme weather events in some instances already setting
back the development process for decades.
Improving the ability and resilience of people in less developed countries to
cope with climate change over the coming decades will be an important factor
in determining whether the MDGs are reached. UNDP’s experience suggests
that the best way to address climate change impacts on the poor is by integrating
effective adaptation measure into sustainable development and
poverty reduction strategies. This will require a significant increase in the
resources made available to improve knowledge and understanding of
adaptation options and needs and to ensure the long-term effectiveness of
investments in poverty eradication and sustainable development. Marketbased
mechanisms, such as the Clean Development Mechanism and the
other carbon finance instruments, have the potential to play a key role in creating
and transferring appropriate technologies and attracting investment
capital to developing countries. However, it is crucial that these mechanisms
deliver a real sustainable development dividend to host countries. Including
projects approved under the Global Environment Facility, UNDP supports
over 400 large and 1,000 small-scale project delivering climate change benefits
in dozens of countries.
UNDP’S CLIMATE CHANGE PRIORITIES AND
APPROACHES
■ Development of integrated policies that
build efficient national economies while
minimizing greenhouse gas emissions
■ Facilitating the transfer of proven technologies
and win-win opportunities, including renewable
energy and energy efficiency
■ Integrating climate change considerations
into sectoral decision-making, particularly
agriculture, water and land use, energy, and
health
■ Undertaking vulnerability and adaptation
assessments to help identify appropriate
response measures
■ Assisting in the identification and management
of climate risks, especially in relation to
natural disaster management
■ Assisting about 100 countries in preparing
National Communications under international
climate change conventions
■ Providing policy and technical assistance to
address the needs of the least developed
countries in relation to international climate
change agreements
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