Western Balkans Climate Resilience Workshop Vienna (Austria) May 11-12, 2016 Summary of Discussions

Transcription

1 Western Balkans Climate Resilience Workshop Vienna (Austria) May 11-12, 2016 Summary of Discussions The Western Balkans Climate Resilience Workshop brought together over 40 participants, from the six Western Balkans countries and four European Union (EU) Member States, as well as from the European Commission (EC), the World Bank, and other development partner organizations, to discuss actions needed to scale-up and complement current climate resilience efforts in the Western Balkans. The Workshop deepened the regional dialogue and experience sharing initiated last year at the Western Balkans Climate Resilient Growth Roundtable, 1 where several topics emerged as priority areas for confronting the new climate normal, 2 including Climate Policies and Institutions, Linkages between Climate Change and Integrated Water Resource Management, and Climate-smart Agriculture. On these three topics, the Workshop supported experience sharing among Western Balkans countries and EU Member States, on actions to address climate change in line with EU Climate requirements. This provided the background for a broader dialogue, with the development community, to take stock of efforts by accession countries and identify further needs of integrating climate resilience in policies, institutions, and investment programs, based on adaptation priorities, EU harmonization process, and complementarity with current activities. Over this one-and-a-half day workshop, participants engaged in very rich discussions on the latest findings from climate science for the Western Balkans, on gaps and needs to scale up resilience in the region, and on concrete examples of adaptation actions, which could be replicated/adapted in the Western Balkans. A summary of discussions is provided below. The Workshop opened with a session on main findings from recent studies on climate risks in the Western Balkans and corresponding adaptation priorities and needs. Presentations focused on climate impacts on coastal zones (around the conclusions and recommendations from Albania s Third National Communication), mountain areas (in the context of UNEP s recent assessment of climate change adaptation in the Western Balkans mountains), and watersheds (with a case study from Bosnia and Herzegovina). They showed that the region already entered the new climate normal (e.g., in some places, current temperature records already reach the level in 2030 projections) and there is a need to prepare to mounting weather extremes, more prevalent heatwaves and droughts as well as floods, with repercussions for natural resources, such as land, water, ecosystems and biodiversity, and sectors, such as agriculture, energy, transport, human health, tourism, and emergency response. Among most pressing gaps and needs presenters emphasized gaps in hydromet observational network and in monitoring climate-related impacts in different sectors, needs to develop watershed models and carry out frequent climate change impact analysis, as well as capacity needs to understand climate projections and expected impacts and to evaluate costs and benefits of potential measures, notably for robust decision-making See Turn Down the Heat: Confronting the New Climate Normal at 1

2 under uncertainty. The panel concluded with a presentation of climate vulnerability needs assessment for the Western Balkans, resulting from the ECRAN process, which established a network of national experts across sectors for capacity building and regional information exchange on climate change. National self-assessment under ECRAN shows countries in the Western Balkans are at different stage in formulating their adaptation responses and this assessment also identifies a series of capacity building and technical assistance needs to further support adaptation action. Ensuing discussion emphasized the importance of ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA)/greening infrastructure as a powerful and costeffective adaptation option and the need for methodologies and tools to better assess EBA options, the imperative of improved communication to enhance awareness of public administration sectors and citizens and make a case for adaptation, as well as the need to maintain regional platform to share knowledge, information, and experiences and further engage and inspire climate action. The Workshop continued with a session on the EU framework for adaptation and implications for accession countries. Panelists acknowledged the momentum for action, following the Paris Agreement last December, an ambitious, transparent, and fair agreement, which places unprecedented importance on actions needed to deal with climate impacts, and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which acknowledge the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (Goal 13) and fully mainstream climate resilience (12 SDGs directly involve taking action on climate change). The EU Adaptation Strategy seeks to encourage Member States to adopt strategies and action plans by 2017 (by 2016, 21 MS have adopted national strategies/plans), to support better informed decisionmaking (including further develop Climate-ADAPT as the one-stop shop for adaptation information in Europe), as well as to mainstream climate action in funds and policies (including, a target of at least 20% climate-related in assistance, for external action). Climate focus in current EU assistance (through national and regional IPA and WBIF support) tends to be on mitigation actions, highlighting need to scale up assistance on adaptation. The next session focused on experience sharing among Western Balkans countries and EU Member States, on actions to address climate change in line with EU Climate requirements, in preparing climate adaptation strategies and action plans. The session also addressed challenges and success in facilitating multi-sectoral coordination for consistent climate policy implementation. It featured example from Austria (among the first EU Member States to prepare an adaptation strategy), Romania (who just completed an exercise to operationalize its national climate change strategy and develop its action plan, with a view to maximizing the use of EU funding), Bulgaria (who presented on institutional mechanisms for climate policy coordination across sectors), and Poland (who shared experience on building economic modeling capacity for climate policy analysis). Discussions highlighted the importance of consultative processes and coordination mechanisms (including to associate core planning agencies and stakeholders behind central government) to increase ownership and reach consensus on defining priorities and actions, setting targets, and allocating funding. Discussions also highlighted challenges in implementation, notably re: mainstreaming national strategies in sectoral strategies and at subnational level, re: funding, and re: availability of guidelines, tools and other sources of information including to engage non-public stakeholders. Above discussions emphasized that adaptation strategies are an iterative process and that strong monitoring and evaluation is essential to generate lessons and revise strategies and actions plans regularly. Discussions revealed that most Western Balkans are already taking action to address climate change, mainly along the water, agriculture, and disaster nexus. Some have undertaken, or are carrying out, in- 2

3 depth assessments of climate risks and solutions for key resources (e.g., water) or sectors (e.g., agriculture); some are preparing, or have developed, climate strategies or action plans; and some are learning how to deal with, and prepare their response to, the consequences of climate change, especially in the aftermath of disasters. A detailed summary of the challenges and the needs faced by the Western Balkans countries, as shared by their representatives, is provided in annex to this note. The next panel discussion focused on the efforts taken by EU member states (example from Bulgaria) and few Western Balkans countries (more specific examples by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina) in building resilience in river basin management, notably tools and approaches to integrate the (new) challenges from climate variability and change into river basin management plans, as well as efforts to address disaster risk and competing water uses. Some principles of the EU Water Framework directive were highlighted such as the need to manage water resource utilization based on actual water availability and water body status and to invest in water saving technology. Experience was mostly shared from the World Bank financed activities in the Sava and Drina river basins, where measures are implemented on the ground to increase climate resilience of the sector investments and approaches are being developed to integrate climate change adaptation in water cycle management and planning. Most presenters highlighted the importance of strengthening water sector governance (i.e., Albania), building a strategic stakeholder engagement and good multi-sector coordination (i.e., Bulgaria s irrigation sector) and efficient monitoring. All participants in the discussions confirmed that building resilience at river basin level requires participatory approach, joint effort and regional cooperation, as river basins are often transboundary. As challenges going forward were outlined few areas, such as: the need to improve hydro modelling tools, as well as data collection, water information systems and further strengthen the regional data exchange and research. Discussants also outlined areas for further support, such as the need for investments in water retention, irrigation and flood management (especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina), including at regional level. The final session highlighted some messages inspiring action on climate smart development in the agriculture sector. The World Bank Global Lead on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and a representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presented some trends towards 2030 to 2050, related to the increase of world population and climate change impacts on agriculture. These trends seriously impact the food production and supply chains, demonstrating that fundamental shifts in the food production and consumption systems are forthcoming. Therefore, behavioral changes and new approaches to agriculture production are now urgently needed, as well as an enabling environment for application of new knowledge and practices both for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting the agriculture sector to the new climate reality. Some useful examples, contributing to CSA, are the sustainable and efficient use of resources, ecosystem services, species and genetic diversification, as well as youth employment and green jobs in agriculture. A case example from Ireland was presented on a new model of partnership between the government and the farmers, resulting in developing low emissions based products ( Origin Green ) with low environmental impact, which have a significant market success. Furthermore, another case from Romania presented a government vision for a low-carbon growth and adaptation in the Romanian Agriculture Sector. Echoing discussions at the previous sessions, Western Balkans country participants provided an update on the challenges and their own efforts to build climate resilient agriculture, where they highlighted the importance of strengthening research capacity, land fragmentation, lack of awareness the climate change impacts, and unavailability of funding for testing and demonstration of adaptive agricultural practices. 3

4 Overall, participants really appreciated the opportunity for knowledge and experience sharing and reacted very positively to the case studies that were showcased, highlighting advisory work across climate policies and institutions, integrated water resource management, and climate-smart agriculture. In conclusion of the Workshop, Western Balkans representatives requested assistance on adaptation in several areas, including 1- developing National Strategies for Climate Adaptation with Action Plan, assessing the vulnerability of all sectors of the economy, prioritizing actions and identifying resources for implementation; 2- enhancing institutional capacity for monitoring and evaluation of resilience measures; and 3- strengthening Hydromet services, including improved meteorological and hydrological data (more details in annex). Above all, regional cooperation and collaboration was highlighted as the most important condition for stepping up climate resilience efforts and this issue dominated in the description of the needs for future work and support by almost all country delegations. The World Bank will follow up on these requests to further develop a concrete program of activities. 4

5 Annex: Climate resilience challenges and needs in the Western Balkans COUNTRY CHALLENGES NEEDS ALBANIA - Albania has almost finalized preparation of Climate Adaptation Strategy (to be adopted in Fall 2016), but still needed effort to mainstream climate change into relevant development and sectoral strategies; - Albania is accelerating preparation of legislative acts (including Law on Climate Change), to comply with the EU environmental acquis, including on climate, but needs further efforts and support; - Albania is currently establishing a number of institutions to deal with climate change adaptation and mitigation at sector level (EE, RES, etc.) - Continue experience sharing on Climate change adaptation, particularly at regional level; - Support for implementation of the measures listed in the National Adaptation Strategy at sectoral level. Also, for these measures, cost and benefit analysis are needed, for prioritization and identification of financing sources, as well as enhanced institutional capacity for monitoring and evaluation; - Need for further stakeholders involvement, both at central and regional level and inclusion of climate resilience in their plans and programs at local level. - Several studies needed for further policy formulation, such as: Soil erosion in the coastal areas; Feasibility studies on flood protection infrastructure in river basins under risk. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Integrating climate resilience in policies, institutions, and investment programs, based on adaptation priorities; - Capacity building, information exchange on Climate Change and particularly the following aspects: EU/national/regional policies on Climate Change (i.e. the 2020 Climate and Energy package), including institutional arrangements and resources. - Knowledge generation, evidence and dissemination; - Effective institutions and regulatory frameworks; - : Climate change risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities need to be reliably identified, quantified and effectively communicated, supporting evidence-based policy development. - An effective institutional and regulatory framework supporting adaptation, coupled with delivery capacity, needed for addressing climate change risks and opportunities across sectors. - Mainstreaming effective adaptation approaches in decision-making (data generation, modelling, pilot activities and specific adaptation measures); - Adaptation objectives and their planned delivery need to be understood by an informed society;. - Adequate funding for adaptation: well-resourced adaptation measures implemented on time, effectively, and delivering the expected outcomes. - Implementation of Program of measures under the River Basin Management Plans, including further research and investment; - Deepen sectoral adaptation strategies in vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, water, and forestry; - Strengthening Hydro-met services and water information systems; - Need help for enhancing institutional capacity to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of resilience measures; - Support for regional cooperation on climate resilience, including joint research, information exchange and coordination of adaptation measures. 5

6 KOSOVO - Implementation of the climate adaptation strategy MACEDONIA - Lack of administrative capacity for climate adaptation at central level; - Lack of strategic framework on climate resilience - Knowledge gaps MONTENEGRO - Missing comprehensive strategy framework for CC adaptation; - Integrated river basin management, management of watersheds; - Project driven adaptation actions only; - Missing Financial support mechanisms - Lack of institutional and administrative capacities for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in this field SERBIA - Key issue: Investigative monitoring - Catastrophic floods but also droughts during last years, however the challenge is to distinguish climate variability from climate change; - Effective long-term monitoring to better identify climate change signals - Update scientific knowledge base; - Update on climate change scenarios and water-related impacts, along with the potential adaptation measures, etc. - Support for implementation of climate change adaption strategy: need for financial resources to cover the high cost of the adaptation; - Improve the flood management framework; - Strengthen Hydro-met services, including improve meteorological and hydrological data; - Introduce sustainable agriculture practices. - More resources for academia-policy-making partnerships are needed; - Need to build national adaptation policy and alongside, establish capacity at central and local level; - Need to strengthen coordination between sector ministries, NGOs and business and increase understanding about climate resilience; - Develop investment plan for climate adaptation: formulate measures and transform them into investment proposals, drawing on WB Green Growth previous analytical work; - Strengthen coordination on funding sources (possible Green Climate Fund proposal, to be prepared by the World Bank on behalf of Macedonia, to support program of investments identified above). - Support to develop a National Strategy for Adaptation to CC with Action Plan, assessing the vulnerability of all sectors of the economy, prioritizing actions and identifying resources for effective implementation; - Need help for enhancing institutional capacity to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of resilience measures in the most vulnerable sectors (water, agriculture and health); - Local plans for Adaptation to CC with integration of DRR and Civil protection - Introducing of Financial support mechanisms for most vulnerable sectors; - Continuation of integration of CC Adaptation into sectorial policies and plans; - Enhancement of linkages between since-policyimplementation; - Increased public awareness and participation in policy development and implementation. - Support needed for development and implementation of Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change foreseen for Regional cooperation needs to be boosted as it is key for the effectiveness of the efforts for building climate resilience in the region 6

7 - So far, limited funds have been allocated for a comprehensive elaboration of adaptation measures - Keep the process of development of the Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan transparent and interactive - Ensure strong involvement of national institutions from all relevant sectors in the whole process. 7