Ecosystem- based approaches to adaptation in the Philippines ...

Ecosystembasedapproaches toadaptation inthePhilippines,South Africaand Brazil:Building theevidence baseEnrique A. Nunez Jr.Conservation InternationalPhilippinesPhoto 14.2” x 10.31”Positionx: 4.36”, y: .18”Photo 25.51” x 10.31”Positionx: 8.53”, y: .18”

ecosystem basedapproaches to adaptation forterrestrial, marine andcoastal regions• identify and implementecosystem-based adaptationactivities in three diverse settings(South Africa, Brazil, & Philippines)• increase resilience andadaptive capacity of vulnerablepeople to climate changehttp://www.chinapost.com.tw/news_images/20071129/wa.jpg

South Africa: Namakwaland Large communal area Arid Succulent Karoo veld Small, heavily utilisedseasonal wetlands andspringsClimate impacts: Hotter, drier, lesspredictableKey EbA activities: Veld restoration Wetland restoration Policy engagement

Brazil: Tropical forest/marine interfaceThe Southern Bahia/Abrolhos(SBA) region encompasses someof the threatened Atlantic forestand a biodiversity rich coral reefarea, coastal and inlandcommunities whose livelihoodsstrongly depends on theseecosystems (fishing, tourism,subsistence agriculture / cattleranching / forestry)32,000 km 2 of terrestrialecosystems and nearly 46,000km 2 of marine habitats thatsupport over 500,000 people.

Philippines: Verde Island PassageVerde Island PassageA Priority Marine Biodiversity Corridorof the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape……and is part of the Coral Triangle

1.14 million ha. area (EO 578)5 provinces, 33 coastal municipalitiesEstimated 1.7 million people (coastal)A top tourist destinationMajor fishing ground

“Center of the Center” of Marine Biodiversity

Philippines’ IKI-EbA projectObjective 1: Securing the coastline andincrease coastal resilience to stormsurges, flooding and erosion throughmangrove restoration and protectionObjective 2: To build the resilience andadaptive capacity of fisheries andrelated livelihoods in the region

EbA in the Verde Island Passagebuilds on CI’s work on MPA and MPA networksestablishment; including establishment of Mangrove ForestConservation Areas in the Verde Island Passage MarineConservation Corridor .

Building the evidence base:Key project elements:1. Systematic vulnerabilityanalysis of people andecosystems2. Develop Theories of Change3. Gather socio-economicbaselines in target communities4. Develop vulnerability index5. Evaluate cost-effectiveness6. Engage local, national andinternational policy-makers

1) Vulnerability Assessment

ecologicalvulnerability• fish• coral• mangrove• seagrassVIP VA Elementshuman vulnerability• fisheries• tourism• foreshore dev’t• human health• food security

http://images.usatoday.com/weather/_photos/2006/12/10/twc-philippines.jpg

2) Theories of Change An approach to program planningand evaluation that maps therelationship between the long termgoal and the intermediate and earlychanges required to bring it about Articulates how and why a programworks, with an emphasis on thetheory underlying the pathway fromactivities through to outcomes Uses evidence (both scientific andexperiential) to link intendedoutcomes with activities beingimplemented

Outcomes FrameworkThreatEbAResponseActivityOutputOutcome1Outcome2GOALCo-BenefitsBy 2025, X%increase incyclones[andassociatedstorm surge]MangroveforestrehabilitationandrestorationMangroveplanting# seedlingsplanted perm2Rehabilitatedand restoredmangroveecosystemX% reductionin stormsurge overthat projectedBY 2025, X%marginalreduction inloss ofcommunityassets tocyclonesCarbonFisheriesErosionNutrientcycling

3) Setting the baseline• Socioecon monitoring trainingdone using SOCMON-SEAmethodology• SocMon survey of householdspilot EbA sites

4) Develop vulnerability index

5) Cost effectivenessCost-effectiveness analysis is aform of economic analysis used tocompare the relative costs andoutcomes (effects) of two or morecourses of action. CEA is often usedto estimate inputs in monetaryterms and outcomes in nonmonetaryquantitative terms (suchas improvements in environmentaloutcomes). This is suitable inassessing whether the outcome isreached at minimum cost.

6) Engage policy makers; building partnershipsand stakeholder supportNationalAgencies• Department of Environment &Natural Resources• Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries & AquaticResources• National Climate ChangeCommission• NGO(NFR etc) and academepartnersLocal Government andCommunity groups• provincial officials• Municipal and village leaders• MPA and Enforcement Networks• Local NGOs, academe, otherpartners• Village leaders and communitymembers

Engaging stakeholders to betterunderstand ecosystems services andclimate change impacts in the VIP

Capacity building on:• Coastal Resource Management• Mangrove Management• Enforcement• MPA ManagementEffectiveness• Livelihoods and incomediversification

Key challenges/evidence gaps1) Quantifying the adaptation service – just how much can e.g.mangrove restoration reduce vulnerability?2) Is the adaptation initiative sustainable under global change?3) How do you project expected project benefits of the adaptationinitiative beyond the project lifetime?4) How do you go about robustly valuing the adaptation serviceand co-benefits?5) What institutions and policies, at what scales, are needed toensure successful EbA?6) How will the EbA initiative be sustained by LGUs andcommunities? Governance issues, politics, land tenure issues.7) Understanding the broader vulnerability/adaptation context – noproject can address all vulnerabilities

Robust M&E is critical Assessing effectiveness Understanding contexts and needs Tracking underlying assumptions Gathering and sharing information Enabling adaptive management Meeting transparency and reportingrequirements

Take home messages

Thank You!