PPCR JAMAICA MONITORING AND REPORTING 2017

Transcription

1 1

2 Contents PPCR JAMAICA... 2 MONITORING AND REPORTING Introduction Results to date Knowledge and Learning Implementation Challenges Addressing the challenges Conclusion

3 PPCR JAMAICA MONITORING AND REPORTING Introduction Implementation of Jamaica s core PPCR projects, Improving Climate Data and Information Management (ICDIMP) and the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism for the PPCR in Jamaica (AP&FM) hit the mid- point in 2017 (third year of implementation). The monitoring results show that the projects have begun to deliver some very tangible outputs/benefits and to lay the groundwork for the attainment of the overall development objective of the Jamaica s Strategic Programme for Climate Resilience (SPCR) - Enhanced resilience to the impacts of climate change at all levels within the country. In addition to the projects mentioned above, the PPCR portfolio expanded with the approval of the private sector project - Financing Water Adaptation in Jamaica s New Urban Housing Sector (The Water Project) which became effective in October 2017 and advancement in the preparation of the Promoting Community-based Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project approved early Results to date Based on the geographic spread of the interventions, PPCR has delivered direct benefits to 165,060 women, men, youth and persons with disabilities in some 56,000 households since its inception. Women and girls remain the largest beneficiary group accounting for 56.8 percent of the direct beneficiaries (see Figure 1). Under the ICDIMP, 13 communities were project beneficiaries having weather forecasting instruments including consoles installed in accessible locations (such as schools) to increase access to climate information (See Map at Appendix 1). In addition, information from 4 automatic weather and 2 agro-met stations was made available online. 2

4 To address the resilience building-livelihoods nexus, the financing mechanisms under the AP&FM (the Special Climate Change Adaptation Fund (SCCAF) and the Climate Change Line of Credit (CCALoC)) have awarded 44 grants to CBOs/NGOs and approved 18 loans for MSMEs to date. This has directly benefited 3,862 persons (53.3 percent female) in 18 communities. Among the MSMEs, PPCR resources have been used mainly in the agriculture and tourism sectors to climate proof operations, with the former accounting for 78.0 per cent of the loans. Specific interventions included installation of rainwater harvesting systems, water re-circulation system, drip irrigation systems, and greenhouses; and implementation of climate smart agriculture techniques inclusive of contour ploughing, terracing, and construction of climate resilient holding facilities for animals. A total of 151 employees have benefited. Figure 1: PPCR Beneficiaries by Group 165,060 Beneficiaries 93, 730 Women and Girls 56,000 Households 31 Communities 22 Agencies Among CBOs/NGOs, investments resulted in: installation of over 150,000 gallons of water storage capacity, 64 solar panels and 5 solar pumps; 6,000 ft 2 inches greenhouse cultivation; 5 acres of land under cultivation; an area of 4.21 km being protected as fish sanctuary; and 5 coral nurseries being established. Among the sub projects implemented, most produced co-benefits, that is, a combination of climate resilience outcomes. This was the case for example with some 3

5 greenhouse projects: a climate resilient cropping system was set up, and water management system installed using the greenhouse roof as catchment and connecting storage tanks to drip lines. Some of these same projects had training components. The combination adds to the multidimensionality of the climate resilience benefits from the investment. Direct employment was provided for 182 individuals while 209 persons were trained. At the institutional level, some 22 public sector agencies are involved directly and/ or indirectly in the PPCR. Thus PPCR interventions have resulted in improved efficiencies in the operations of participating partners, particularly with respect to the production of accurate and timely data. For example, the Water Resources Authority indicated that prior to the installation of the real time data reporting system within its hydro network, a minimum of 8 weeks was required to generate a report on any given rainfall event. This, inclusive of quality assurance checks is now being done within one week as was demonstrated relative to the November 2017 flood rains in Montego Bay. Despite the short time span between gaining effectiveness and the close of the reporting period, the Water Project was able to develop specifications for a Homeowners Guide to Water Use Efficiency as well as advance activities towards the development of a project website. Under the project preparation grant for the Promoting Community- based Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project, a number of useful reports were prepared. These included an Environmental Management Framework for Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector; an Assessment of Community-Based Fisherfolk Associations; a Fisheries Sector Policy Analysis; and a characterization study of the Jamaican capture and culture fisheries and Value Chain analysis of selected capture and culture fisheries. These reports will not only support project implementation activities but contribute to the body of knowledge which can guide resilience building activities and improve planning and coordination within the fisheries sector. 4

6 During the reporting period, Jamaica s PPCR team also continued to give support to the regional project through active participation on the Project Steering Committee and the Monitoring and Reporting process. 3.0 Knowledge and Learning The PPCR Jamaica website was officially launched in July and received approximately 1,000 hits in its first six months of operation. The site showcases all the investment projects under Jamaica s SPCR as well as the Caribbean Regional Track and provides hyperlinks to critical partner agencies. The website ppcrja.org.jm, provides online access to knowledge products created under the PPCR including projections based on the downscaled regional models (2013 and 2015 reports on State of the Jamaican Climate); beneficiary stories; reports and case studies including the Microfinance in the PPCR Jamaica s case study. The highly interactive site is integrated with other social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) and also features: - Voice over reading of articles to allow the visually impaired to navigate the site and access the information easily. - A lessons-learnt component intended to highlight stories from PPCR projects nationally, document valuable experience and record the impacts and climate adaptation lessons for beneficiaries, particularly vulnerable groups including women, children and persons with disabilities. - Community voice to encourage community input and sharing of information. 4.0 Implementation Challenges The main implementation challenges during 2017 related to staff turnover, staffing, and procurement. In some partner agencies, the former resulted in delays in sign off and agreement on some project activities. Specifically, the inhouse capacity of the Meteorological Service Jamaica to set-up, install and maintain the Automatic Weather Stations was severely affected due to the 5

7 retirement of one senior officer and the untimely death of another. Likewise, the AP&FM had problems in securing the services of a procurement specialist; notwithstanding the efforts of the wider project unit, having an undermanned unit ultimately led to delays in some activities. Procurement continued to be a challenge due in part, to the long and iterative process (designs, sign off on specifications, etc.) required for the acquisition of highly specialised goods and services. Recruitment of international experts and purchase of highly technical equipment require a relatively long lead time and multi-layered approval process; slippage in timeline for any predecessor activities can have a domino effect on the overall timeline. For example, the procurement of the Doppler radar was originally scheduled to commence in 2017 but had to be pushed back after one review agency took an extensive period to provide necessary feedback on the engagement of consultants to develop the specifications for the radar. The take up of the financing instruments got off to a slow start due in part to the novelty of the instruments, a reticence of parties to take on debt for adaptation, and the poor quality of some grant proposals received. Take-up has improved with more specific targeting, sensitization of potential beneficiaries of the need for building resilience into their operations, and training in proposal preparation. At the level of sub-projects financed through the AP&FM, the issues of crop losses due to extreme weather conditions, inadequate pre-planting planning and scheduling, and over production emerged. These led to three noteworthy lessons learnt namely: i) projects should identify and plan to mitigate potential risks associated with extreme weather conditions, especially for open field farming ii) using appropriate land husbandry techniques and crop management know-how to minimize crop losses and or maximize the total yield must be incorporated in planning and iii) beneficiaries must be informed of the importance of market visà-vis production-led farming and of thinking through the post-harvest stages of the crop management. 6

8 5.0 Addressing the challenges A number of adaptive approaches were utilised to minimise the challenges faced. In terms of the staff turn-over at the MSJ, the ICDIMP facilitated cross organisation training to ensure that there remains a cadre of personnel with knowledge to install and maintain the AWSs. This was complemented by the preparation of a User Manual for set up, installation and maintenance of the equipment. Under the AP&FM, segmented targeting and marketing was done to promote the CCALoC to increase take-up of the loan facility. For the SCCAF, special training programmes in proposal development were conducted by the grant administrator. A total of 3 workshops with 151 potential beneficiaries were held bringing the number of workshops to date to 6 and participants 266. The project also promoted peer to peer learning among community groups and encouraged partnerships between community groups and public agencies, where practicable, in the design and execution of projects on the ground. Thus, a number of water projects have been implemented in partnership between community groups and the Rural Water Supply Ltd. To improve reporting on the gender impact of the projects and sub projects, a special training programme will be developed while greater linkages will be forged with gender focal points within the public sector. 6.0 Conclusion Given the level of design works completed up to 2017, the demonstration effect and lessons learnt from activities implemented, the momentum of implementation should accelerate in the coming year. At the same time, the launch and roll out of the public education and behaviour change activities should help in increasing knowledge of climate change and its impact and therefore increase receptivity to the offerings of the PPCR. With funding provided by the CIF, the Focal Point and MDBs will be hosting a workshop to review the general progress of implementation of the SPCR. The review will, among other things, assess the SPCR against the landscape of climate 7

9 and climate related issues impacting and projected to impact Jamaica to determine alignment and responsiveness. The workshop is scheduled to be held during the 4 th quarter of 2018 and will include sessions focused on gender mainstreaming and communications. 8

10 Annex 1 1