Adapting to Climate Change: Assessing the World Bank Group ...

CHAPTER 2ADAPTATION AT THE BANK GROUPthey used technology that the previous project had already been shown to betechnically deficient and difficult to maintain, and by 2011 only three were on line. Datawere never fully integrated with the existing network or made useful for navigation,coastal zone management, or storm warnings. A separate and smaller initiative, aninnovative coral reef monitoring system, was pursued by both projects but wasconstrained by lack of trained personnel. It failed to be institutionalized and was notable to adequately network with similar programs run by the U.S. National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA).2.36 The projects also invested in downscaled climate models, commissioned by theCaribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and undertaken by theUniversity of the West Indies. The downscaled model was based on a single globalchange model (GCM), which raises questions about its reliability (see chapter 4).Modeling work has built local awareness about climate change and contributed tonational communications to the UNFCCC. Projections are distributed on the internet.The project has helped build local climate science capacity, and further modeling workis underway. However, the projections do not appear to have provided quantitativeguidance for policy or project decisions.Impact on Capacity and Institutions2.37 Operating in 12 countries, CPACC built up a network of national coordinationunits and focal points. Their project participation helped build their experience andcredibility and has helped with mainstreaming climate change. MACC also contributedto the growing abilities and reputation of the CCCCC, which has emerged as a widelyrecognized regional center for climate analysis and policy advice. CCCCC led the effortto develop regional position papers for use in international climate negotiations.Impact on Public Awareness and Policy2.38 The projects were designed to raise public awareness of the need to adapt toclimate change. The CPACC focused on formulating policy frameworks that wouldraise the profile of the issue. Ten of the 12 countries prepared issues papers usingexisting data to develop policy options for dealing with climate risks in key sectors. Butthese were not fleshed out, and no dissemination took place, due to budget shortfalls. 172.39 The MACC built on this, supporting the development of national sectorstrategies and action plans in four countries, a scaling-down of original ambitions formultisectoral planning. Project-sponsored water strategies in Jamaica and the Bahamashave led to policy and staff emphasis on adaptation in the Integrated Water ResourcesAuthority. There has been some uptake of water policy recommendations in Jamaica. In24