IPCC_Managing Risks of Extreme Events.pdf - Climate Access

Chapter 7Managing the Risks: International Level and Integration across Scalesto stakeholders, users, and the general public (Lee et al., 2006). It isimportant that NMHSs take advantage of the advances in communicationtechnology such as wireless broadband access, Global Positioning System(GPS), and GIS to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of warnings,options, and backup capabilities to disseminate warnings throughmultiple and diverse channels (Lee et al., 2006). Natural hazardsmanagement has advanced to address a major challenge: turning realtimedata provided by new technologies (e.g., satellite- and ground-basedsensors and instruments) into information products to help people makebetter decisions about their own safety and prosperity (Groat, 2004).The literature about technology transfer to foster adaptation to changesin extreme events induced by climate change is very limited. It wasnecessary to broaden the scope of the literature review and embraceclimate change adaptation in general in order to gain lessons about theprocesses, channels, stakeholders, and barriers of technology transfer. Inaddition, useful insights were inferred from the literature on technologytransfer to support climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction(prevention, mitigation, and preparedness), and other related areas. TheDRR literature on technology development and transfer documents theexpanding international cooperation in forecasting and monitoringextreme weather events by collecting and disseminating satellite-basedinformation and the international transfer of know-how to interpret it.There is increasing emphasis on the importance of establishing closelinkages across all EWS components ranging from collection of hydrometeorologicaldata, forecasting how nature will respond (e.g., weatheror flood forecasting), to communicating information (or warnings) todecisionmakers (sectoral users or communities) (medium agreement,limited evidence).7.4.3.3. Financing Technology TransferClimate change mitigation has been the primary focus of the financingmechanisms and innovative financing in recent years. In contrast, thetransfer of technologies for adaptation is hampered by insufficientincentive regimes, increased risks, and high transaction costs (Klein etal., 2005). Yet the lessons from the transfer of mitigation technologiesare relevant for adaptation: results of the penetration of energy andindustrial technologies in the developing countries depend on manyfactors ranging from labor skills, market conditions, achieved level oftechnological development, the reliability of basic services (electricityand water), availability of spare parts, etc. A combination of interrelatedsocioeconomic, institutional, and governance issues would oftendetermine the success or failure of technology transfer, rather than thetechnologies themselves (Klein et al., 2005, p. 23). These factors are alsoimportant in transferring technologies for adaptation because theydetermine the feasibility and efficiency of adopting the transferredtechnologies (e.g., regulations to build and install them, skilled labor,water and electricity to operate them).UNFCCC (2005) addresses the transfer of environmentally soundtechnologies for adaptation to climate change: the needs for and theidentification and evaluation of technologies for adaptation to climatechange, and financing their transfer. Cost is one of the main barriers intechnology transfer; therefore innovative financing for the developmentand transfer of technologies is needed. Potential sources of funding fortechnology transfer include bilateral activities of Parties, multilateralactivities such as the GEF, the World Bank, or regional banks, the SCCF,the LDCF, financial flows generated by Joint Implementation and CDMprojects, and the private sector (see also Section 7.3.3.3). The GEF fundsfor adaptation activities include the SPA trust fund, the LDCF, and theSCCF. In addition, the GEF is providing secretariat services to theAdaptation Fund Board under the Kyoto Protocol (see also Section7.4.2).Climate variability is already a major impediment to development and2% of World Bank funds are devoted to disaster reconstruction andrecovery (World Bank, 2008). In order to use available funds efficiently,the World Bank (2009) developed the screening tool ADAPT(Assessment & Design for Adaptation to Climate Change: A PrototypeTool), a software-based tool for assessing development projects forpotential sensitivities to climate change. The tool combines climatedatabases and expert assessments of the threats and opportunities arisingfrom climate variability and change. As of 2011, the knowledge areascovered by the tool cover agriculture and irrigation in India and sub-Saharan Africa and, for all regions, various aspects of biodiversity andnatural resources.Both conventional and innovative options for financing the transfer oftechnologies for adaptation might be explored. As conventional options,the GEF funds (SPA, LDCF, and SCCF) provide opportunities for accessingfinancial resources that could be used for deployment, diffusion, andtransfer of technologies for adaptation, including initiatives on capacitybuilding, partnerships, and information sharing. Projects identified intechnology needs assessments could also be implemented using thesefinancial opportunities. Based on these experiences as well as onspecial needs of groups of countries such as small island developingstates and LDCs, further guidance could be provided to the GEF onfunding technologies for adaptation. In addition, there is an opportunityto explore innovative financing mechanisms that can promote, facilitate,and support increased investment in technologies for adaptation(UNFCCC, 2005).Concerning financing of technological development and transfer, areport by the Expert Group on Technology Transfer (UNFCCC, 2009a)classifies technologies by stage of maturity, the source of financing(public or private sector), and whether they are under or outside theUNFCCC and estimates the financing resources currently available fortechnology research, development, deployment, diffusion, and transfer.The estimates for financing mitigation technologies are between US$ 70and 165 billion per year. In the adaptation area, the report claims thatresearch and development is focused on tailoring technologies to specificsites and applications and thus the related expenditures become part ofthe project costs. Current spending on adaptation projects in developingcountries is about US$ 1 billion per year (UNFCCC, 2009a).417