Paving the Way for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure - UN CC:Learn

Chapter 3: Workshop Objective and ScopeDoing development differentlyThese new concepts for addressing impacts of climate change on infrastructure suggest the need to dodevelopment differently. Climate change will have profound implications on how countries develop. Inorder to secure development benefits that might otherwise be undermined by climate change, there is aneed to undertake the following actions:Systematically internalize and incorporate climate change scenario information intodevelopment planning.Address vulnerability to today’s climate and future climate.Implement cost-effective adaptation responses: Resources for addressing climate change aremarginal given the magnitude of problem. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate these resourcesin a way that maximizes benefits in the context of an uncertain future. This will require, amongother things, an understanding of the economics of adaptation.D E F I N I T I O NDisaster riskThe probability of an eventwith harmful consequences.The potential disaster losses— in lives, health status,livelihoods, assets andservices — which could occurin a particular community orsociety over some specifiedfuture time period.Create adaptive systems for managing evolving risks: Systems for making continuousdecisions (rather than developing discreet solutions) about this issue must be in place at national,subnational and community levels.Strengthen institutional capacity and cross-agency relationships and partnerships:El Salvador has a very solid foundation of institutions and existing partnerships fromwhich to build. In this regard, El Salvador can serve as a model case for other countriesnot only in the region, but also around the world.Figure 3.4: UNDP’s approach to supporting countries on climate changeSource: UNISDR (2009a)VISION:Foster human development in a changing climateSTRATEGY:Develop the capacity of countries to prepare, finance, implement and report on green,low-emission and climate-resilient development strategiesPRIMARY SERVICES:MAINSTREAMING:Assist countries to develop green, lowemissionand climate-resilient strategiesincluding strategies to maintain economicgrowth and resilienceENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE:Identify, access and combine sources ofenvironmental finance to attract and drivemuch larger private sector invesment flowstoward green, low-emission, climate-resilientand ecosystem-friendly development14Paving the Way for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Conference Proceedings