Decision Making in a Changing Climate - World Resources Institute

Public EngagementInvolving the public is the foundation of decision making for a changing climate. Public understandingof risks and solutions is essential for difficult national-level decisions on investments andpriorities. Engaging the public can also help define adaptation needs, lead to better outcomes,and—given that financial and human resources are limited—inform government thinking on howto choose among various priorities and define acceptable levels of risk. At a local level, publicinvolvement in planning and policymaking processes, and in implementing and monitoring initiatives,lays the groundwork for successful outcomes; lack of engagement can cause costly investmentsto fail.Decision-Relevant InformationUseful information is the lifeblood of effective decision making, and this is particularly true forclimate adaptation, given the uncertainty that surrounds future impacts. We argue that governmentsneed to focus both on what types of information are required and how this information iscollected, translated into a usable form, and distributed to all those who need it. The informationrequired for planning and policymaking goes far beyond meteorological and other climate information.To identify and protect the most vulnerable people and ecosystems, governments mustcombine climate data with demographic, economic, social and environmental information.Institutional DesignClimate impacts will reach every corner of society and every aspect of the policy arena, andthe design of government institutions should reflect this reality. Coordination among nationallevelgovernment agencies and with other stakeholders and institutions at local, sub-national,regional and international levels will be a prerequisite of successful adaptation efforts. In manycountries, this will require a shift in both awareness and institutional alignment, since at present,the planning for risks posed by climate change is often divided among different ministriesand lacks a coordinating authority. As we discuss in Chapter 5, the individuals and institutionswho provide leadership in steering adaptation efforts can determine the effectiveness of interventions.In addition, institutional mandates can be reformed to better contend with differenttypes of climate risks, such as the creation of long-term goals that are better suited to the timeframeof climate impacts.Tools for Planning and PolicymakingBoth commonly used tools, such as environmental impact assessments and cost-benefit analyses,and innovative tools, such as scenario planning exercises, can play a vital role in helpingpublic officials navigate the complexities of decision making for a changing climate. They can bedeployed, for example, to assess risks and vulnerability and decide among policy options. Someexisting tools, such as mapping, can be customized to serve adaptation planning and policymakingpurposes by integrating climate risks and vulnerability into their use.ResourcesMaking societies and ecosystems climate-resilient will require financial, human, ecological, andsocial resources on a massive scale. Governments and donors will need to make long-term investmentsthat mirror the decades-long lifespan of predicted climate impacts. Developing countriesurgently need to build knowledge and technical ability among government officials to implement,monitor and enforce adaptation plans, policies and initiatives. Adaptation decision making shouldalso place a premium on protecting and sustainably managing ecosystems, such as forests andwetlands, which can protect people from climate-related hazards as well as provide livelihoods.Finally, national governments should be proactive in developing social resources, such as thosethat enable communities to act collectively, cope with adverse conditions and show reciprocity andmutual support in times of crisis. These resources can play a crucial role in building the adaptivecapacity of vulnerable groups and populations.17the adaptation Chapter title imperativedecision making in a changing climate