TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE BUILDING TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE BUILDING OF VULNERABLE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE AND THEIR OF VULNERABLE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE AND THEIR

LOCAL GOVERNMENTSLOCAL GOVERNMENTS(POLICY BRIEF)(POLICY BRIEF)

Jagadish Chandra BaralJagadish Chandra BaralMay 10, 2012May 10, 2012

VVulnerability context to climate changeulnerability context to climate changeNational contextNational contextRamechhap contextRamechhap contextSynoptic overview of the vulnerable areasSynoptic overview of the vulnerable areas

International policy initiativesInternational policy initiatives

National policy/frameworkNational policy/framework

Key policy gapsKey policy gaps

RecommendationsRecommendations

ConclusionConclusion

PRESENTATION OUTLINEPRESENTATION OUTLINE

National ContextNepal the 4th most vulnerable countryAttributable to

- High exposure0.04 degrees against .0074 global averages

-High sensitivityYoung geology/steep slopes

-Low adaptive capacityExtreme poverty/difficult access

Vulnerability context to climate changeVulnerability context to climate change

Vulnerability context to climate change…Vulnerability context to climate change…

Ramechhap ContextTop-most vulnerable country (in rural settings) score .995

19 VDCs declared drought prone

Synoptic situations in four vulnerable areas as defined by district stakeholders

- Synoptic issues and adaptation /coping practices

Vulnerability context to climate change…Vulnerability context to climate change…

2 Majhuwa •Less drinking water (previous 24 hr supply; now 2 hrs/day) •Erratic Climatic Pattern•Reduce in Agriculture Production (Especially paddy)•No more production of Masyang/Gahat•Less buffalo or cow/HH; high no of goats

•Plantation around water sources•Cultivation of Rajma/Bean instead of Masyang/Gahat•Forest Conservation

SN VDCs Issues Adaptation Practices

1 Pakarbas •Huge Scarcity of Drinking water•Drying of spring/well (out of 20 well, limited water in 5/6 well)•Paddy Cultivation just a story•Reduction in Grass/Fodder•Havoc of Invasive species•Erratic Climatic Pattern•Low Agriculture Production •Change in livestock holding and rearing

•Padlocking well•Initiation of Rainwater Harvesting•Paddy cultivation over come by maize•Initiation of Cash crops like coffee/Avocado•Forest Conservation

SN VDCs Issues Adaptation Practices

3 Deurali •Drying of water sources/less drinking water supply•Reduction in Agriculture Production•Decrease in livestock•Less Grass/Fodder•Erratic Climatic Pattern•Appearance of Mosquitoes

•Changing of Intake for water supply•Forest Conservation

4 HImaganga •Drastically shrinking of water sources (24 hr Water Supply to 1 hr daily supply)•High pest infestation in crops•Erratic climate pattern•Reduce in Agriculture production/Cultivation•Almost no more Production of Masyasng/Gahat due to pest Infestation•No vegetation cultivation now•Reduce in Large livestock rearing•Dying of trees in forest

•Water Storage in plastic tank•Change in Livestock rearing (Hybrid goats)•Optional profession•Use of Chemical fertilizer and pesticides (Not effective)•Forest Conservation•Cash Crops (Junar)

Field RealityField Reality

Padlocking Well

-Commonality-Commonality-Erratic rainfall -Ever depleting water sources -Crop failure and-Loss of biodiversity

PROBLEMSPROBLEMS

ProblemProblem centeredcentered aroundaround waterwater stressstress-Priority Order 1: Drinking water-Priority order 2: Irrigation water

Poor Support from the central government andthe district agencies Increasing level of hardships to sustain locallivelihoods Desperate attempt to cope Tendency to drift temporarily/permanently if

favors-Temporary drift by way of getting employment (Headquarter Region, Kathmandu, Overseas)

-Permanent drift by way ofProperty shift/Matrimony

DAG can hardly get this opportunity

IPCC 1988UNFCCC 1992Attempts for ambitious targets for mitigation and adaptation is on…

INTERNATIONAL POLICY INITIATIVESINTERNATIONAL POLICY INITIATIVES

NATIONAL POLICY/FRAMEWORKNATIONAL POLICY/FRAMEWORK CC policy 2011 NAPA 2010 LAPA framework 2012 Toolkits for CCVA: Draft

Key policy gapsKey policy gaps

Lack of effective integrating agency at the central level to push the climate agenda in a holistic and effective wayLack of two-way communication mechanisms among and between the center and the local levels Weak arrangements to rightly identify and to intervene the vulnerable areas and communities Role and space for ‘learning by doing’ is not adequately emphasized by policies and programmes

Details of policy gapsDetails of policy gaps

1. Lack of effective integrating agency at the central level to push the climate agenda in effective and holistic way

•CCC not afford to do it-too high an authority for this•MOE has its limitations•NAPA overlooks the role of MLD•LAPA risks of being it for ‘nobody’•Water problem at the core: govt structures (water supply and irrigation offices) are yet to realize this

Details of policy gaps…..Details of policy gaps…..

2. Lack of two-way communication mechanisms among and between the center and the local levels Poor coordination among sectoral ministriesDisproportionately low attention at the grassroots

-Towards desperate community needs-What they have to offer-What project experience has to offer

A sort of reflective shield is at workMCCICC does not have constituency at the grassrootsEnsuring adaptation as rights looks uphill struggle in the face of local understanding that problem is linked with divinity

National Scientist IPCC

Permeability class 1 UNFCC

Permeability class 3

National BenefitInternational Benefit

Permeability class 2

Permeability class 4- Impermeable

National Government

Science knowledgePolicy/program knowledgeInternational Policy process

Local plight

Local Opportunities

Local knowledge

Local limitations

Reflective Shield

Level of Reflectivity vary

3. Weak arrangements to rightly identifying and to intervening the vulnerable areas and communities

•Vulnerability: just a NAPA Basis-Optional thereafter

•Vulnerables are too weak to make their voices heard

•Vulnerability changes over small space: thus capturing it is difficult

•Lack of adequate/reliable data can a take a toll on vulnerable communities: Eg PPCR

Details of policy gaps…..Details of policy gaps…..

4.Role and space for ‘learning by doing’ is not adequately emphasized by policies and programmes•CC is a new area requiring more than a sectoral intervention•Need to go ‘out of box’: NAPA does not really conceive this issue•Only a learning by doing might figure out 1) what process 2) approach 3) program) coordination mechanism works • The vulnerability tool kits have limitation:

oNot all 7 steps of LAPA framework have been dealtoLacks experiential learning base

Details of policy gaps…..Details of policy gaps…..

RecommendationsRecommendations

Issue 1: Lack of effective integrating agency at the central level to Push the climate agenda in a holistic way•Establish Climate Change centre with a mandate to

Research and inter-sectoral integrationBackstopping the role of climate change council and the MoE

•MoE to start empowering/backstopping other sectors to shoulder burden of NAPA fund raising and implementation

- An idea of separate unit may be useful•Make some agency functionally responsible for LAPA implementation

- MLD could be rightly placed for that•Focus adaptation on water stress through:

Revised NAPANAP

•More exclusive agency for handling water conservation and supply.

Recommendations…………..Recommendations…………..

Issue 2: Lack of two-way communication mechanisms among and between the center and the local levels •MOE should start communicating better with

Rest of the sectoral ministriesGrassroots:

oFor indigenous knowledge/OpportunitiesoFor past leaning from intervention

•MCCICC need to be crafted right up to the grassroots•Work towards ‘adaptation as rights than a conventional aid’

oThough not easy requiring an extension to defy the old conviction that it is the divine phenomenonto convince that it is the GHG for which industrialized world is responsible

Recommendations…………..Recommendations…………..Issue 3: Weak arrangements to rightly identifying and to intervening the vulnerable areas and communities •Make mandatory arrangements in a way that vulnerable communities/ places get first priority by interventions•Empower vulnerable communities to make their voices heard

- Institution building may be an entry point Make use of NAPA information to identify vulnerable districts. However, be aware that

NAPA’s identification of an entire district ‘vulnerable’ or ‘non- vulnerable’ is not always helpfulSupposedly non vulnerable/less vulnerable areas may have inclusion of vulnerability. Opposite may also be true.(example: all Ramechhap may not be vulnerable and part of Sindhuli may be vulnerable)

•Aim for more data (met and socio-economic) that covers micro catchment.•Use truly participative PRA

until detailed data are availablefor validation of ‘statistical data’

•Gear towardsbetter research to develop drought resistant varieties of crops and livestock•Pilot crop and livestock insurance system with a focus on drought prone areas

Recommendations…………..Recommendations…………..

Issue 4: Role and space for ‘learning by doing’ is not adequately emphasized by policy•Given the new field where uncertainties abound and there is no known method, program and approach ‘learning by doing’ should be the basis•Piloting should be

Based on indigenous knowledge system Process than blueprintHolistic than sectorally segregatedEmpowerment focused than centrally sponsoredVulnerability centric than vulnerability blind

Recommendations…………..Recommendations…………..

•Should initially be done along the 5 physiographic transact from north to south•Named as community based climate learning school•Replicate/expand the model with necessary modifications•Modify the toolkits based on new knowledge•The overall task may be a collaborative effort among the local communities and sectoral agencies under the facilitation/support/patronage of MLD/NAST•MoE must ensure necessary backstopping

Recommendations…………..Recommendations…………..

The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. Albert Einstein

Think Out of Box by Way of Putting Vulnerable Communities at Centre

Reflection over Nepal’s concerns Reflection over Nepal’s concerns National Climate Change policy,2011

Major Targeted dates•Establishment of a Climate Change Center by 2011 •Initiation of community-based local adaptation by 2011• Preparation of a national strategy for carbon trade in order to benefit from the CDM by 2012•Formulation and implementation of a low carbon economic development strategy by 2014

Reflection over Nepal’s concerns……..Reflection over Nepal’s concerns……..NAPANAPA

USD 350 million (estimated cost)6 thematic Areas•Agriculture and food security•Water resources and energy•Climate induced disasters•Forest and biodiversity•Public Health•Urban settlement and infrastructure

Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..NAPA………………NAPA………………

9 combined profiles•Community based adaptation through Integrated Management of Agriculture, Water, Forest and Biodiversity•Building and Enhancing Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable Communities Through Improved System and Access to Service Related Agriculture Development•Community Based Disaster Management For Facilitating Climate Adaptation•GLOF Monitoring and Disaster Risk Reduction•Forest and Ecosystem Management For Supporting Climate Led Adaptation Innovations•Adapting to Climate Challenges in Public Health•The Ecosystem Management for Climate Adaptation•Empowering Vulnerable Communities Through Sustainable Management of Water Resources and Clean Energy Supply•Promoting Climate Smart Urban SettlementInstitutional structure including DCC/VCC/Reginal technical suuport/MCCICC

Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..LAPA framework•Meant for local level •7 steps starting from vulnerability assessment

Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..Reflection of Nepal’s concerns……..

LAPA toolkits•Vulnerability mapping and planning•Basic premise of vulnerability assessment: V=f(exposure*sensitivity*adaptive capacity)

Main concern of current workMain concern of current work

Do those national initiatives address Do those national initiatives address conditions such as Ramechhap?conditions such as Ramechhap?

Community Interaction in Pakarbas VDCCommunity Interaction in Pakarbas VDC

Ramechhap Climate Change IssuesRamechhap Climate Change IssuesSN VDCs Issues Adaptation Practices

1 Pakarbas •Huge Scarcity of Drinking water•Drying of spring/well (out of 20 well, limited water in 5/6 well)•Paddy Cultivation just a story•Reduction in Grass/Fodder•Havoc of Invasive species•Erratic Climatic Pattern•Low Agriculture Production •Change in livestock holding and rearing

•Padlocking well•Initiation of Rainwater Harvesting•Paddy cultivation over come by maize•Initiation of Cash crops like coffee/Avocado•Forest Conseervation

2 Majhuwa •Less drinking water (previous 24 hr supply; now 2 hrs/day) •Erratic Climatic Pattern•Reduce in Agriculture Production (Especially paddy)•No more production of Masyang/Gahat•Less buffalo or cow/HH; high no of goats

•Plantation around water sources•Cultivation of Rajma/Bean instead of Masyang/Gahat•Forest Conservation

Ramechhap Climate Change Issues…Ramechhap Climate Change Issues…SN VDCs Issues Adaptation Practices

3 Deurali •Drying of water sources/less drinking water supply•Reduction in Agriculture Production•Decrease in livestock•Less Grass/Fodder•Erratic Climatic Pattern•Appearance of Mosquitoes

•Changing of Intake for water supply•Forest Conservation

4 HImaganga •Drastically shrinking of water sources (24 hr Water Supply to 1 hr daily supply)•High pest infestation in crops•Erratic climate pattern•Reduce in Agriculture production/Cultivation•Almost no more Production of Masyasng/Gahat due to pest Infestation•No vegetation cultivation now•Reduce in Large livestock rearing•Dying of trees in forest

•Water Storage in plastic tank•Change in Livestock rearing (Hybrid goats)•Optional profession•Use of Chemical fertilizer and pesticides (Not effective)•Forest Conservation•Cash Crops (Junar)

SNSN Policy IssuesPolicy Issues VDCsVDCs

PakarbasPakarbas MajuwaMajuwa DeuraliDeurali HimgangaHimganga

11 NCCPNCCP Not KnownNot Known Not Not KnownKnown

Not Not KnownKnown

Not KnownNot Known

22 NAPANAPA Not KnownNot Known Not Not KnownKnown

Not Not KnownKnown

Not KnownNot Known

33 LAPALAPA Not KnownNot Known Not Not KnownKnown

Not Not KnownKnown

Not KnownNot Known

44 CC program in CC program in budgetbudget

Not Not includedincluded

Not Not includedincluded

Not Not includedincluded

Not includedNot included

Way forward for the district levelWay forward for the district levelOrient yourself with Orient yourself with

International initiativesInternational initiativesNational initiatives NAPA/LAPA/CC National initiatives NAPA/LAPA/CC policypolicy

Identify vulnerable communitiesIdentify vulnerable communitiesDo not bulk all VDCs in one basketDo not bulk all VDCs in one basketDo not follow a blanket approachDo not follow a blanket approach

‘‘Water’ at the centre of interventionWater’ at the centre of interventionRaise awareness: CC policyRaise awareness: CC policyFollow the LAPA steps: show diagramFollow the LAPA steps: show diagramCollaborate with existing NGOs/OrganizationsCollaborate with existing NGOs/OrganizationsPurposeful lobby as a last resort for securingPurposeful lobby as a last resort for securing financial and technical supportfinancial and technical support