Climate change: a super-wicked problem

Transcription

1 Quito s Climate Change Strategy: Lessons and opportunities Carolina Zambrano-Barragán Environment Secretariat Municipality of the Metropolitan District of Quito

2 Climate change: a super-wicked problem It is unique (we don t have experience with something similar) A symptom of other problems It has no stopping rule It is time-sensitive Solutions not true or false, but good or bad There is uncertainty in the impacts as well as the effectiveness of solutions Source: Auld, Bernstein, Levin and Cashore, 2007

3 Policy responses: balance between adaptation and mitigation Relation to LOCAL reality and priorities Technological, financial and political opportunities for change Need for an integrated and holistic view

4 Impacts In Quito s Metropolitan District Energy Infrastructure Ecosystems and biodiversity Glacier retreat/ loss of paramos Temperature rise (+1.2 C) Precipitation decrease (-8%) More frequent and intense extreme weather events Drinking water provision Productive systems Health

5 Social Vulnerability and Natural Disasters FLOODS + LANDSLIDES + POVERTY = VULNERABILITY Source: MDQ Vulnerability, MDMQ IRD- UASB

6 National Framework 2008 Constitution: Rights of nature, plurinationality, collective rights CC Adaptation and Mitigation declared a State policy (Executive Decree 1815) National Climate Change Strategy and its National Adaptation Program

7 QUITO S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY P3. To face climate change through planned management Strategies Lead and plan adaptation processes to reduce social, environmental and economic vulnerability Promote social and ecosystem resilience Implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Implement an early warning and integrated risk management system

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9 Strategic Areas QCCS 1. Vulnerability reduction and planned adaptation 2. Clean technologies and good environmental practices 3. Communication, Education and Citizen Participation 4. Institutional strengthening and capacity-building

10 Intrainstitutional Articulation: A basis for Quito s Climate Change Strategy (QCCS) Technology and finance Joint implementation National and International Leadership Environment Secretariat Effective preparation to face CC in the MDQ

11 Vulnerability and Adaptation Knowledge and information generation and management Social participation Measures and Plans Finance and tech hnology

12 Climate events and social vulnerability Most vulnerable areas and stakeholders Relocation and sustainable land use Slope protection and improved sewer system Early warning system and climate monitoring Capacity-building, awareness raising and response organization

13 Forest Fires - Information generation and management - Control and prevention measures (Fire Plan) - Priority zones for reforestation and conservation

14 Reforestation and Ecosystem Restoration Plan - Coordination and citizen involvement - Protection of risk zones (fire-prone, landslides, water sources)

15 Ecosystems and biodiversity Protected Area Subsystem Ecological corridors and green space Fire control and prevention Land use control REDD+ as a potential adaptation mechanism

16 WATER -Integrated Watershed Management - Drinking water efficient use campaigns - Use and loss reduction - Network improvement - Adaptation of irrigation systems -Drought resistent varieties -Incorporation in hydroelectric power management

17 Translation of science into policy Quito s Panel on Climate Change Joint research agenda Youth Program: Capacity-building, political agenda and implementation of actions Public campaigns

18 Challenges Sustained, predictable finance at scale required Recognition of historical responsibility Connection with national government National Registry for public adaptation and mitigation actions Local sources for environmental funding Relation ecosystems ecosystem services - city

19 Ecological Footprint vs. biocapacity

20 Lessons learned: local CC management initiatives Manual for Local Climate Change Management: contribution to other Ecuadorian municipalities (w/ UN Habitat) Local Environmental Authorities Network: climate change focus Standardize tools and methodologies (vulnerability analyses, GHG inventories, CC Strategies, etc.) Experience-sharing platform Joint adaptation activities Funding and cooperation Contribution to national position at UNFCCC negotiations

21 Lessons learned: the basis Intra and interinstitutional articulation; cross-cutting approach Importance of land use and urban planning Citizen participation and social organization systems Decision-makers with a holistic vision Translation of science into policy

22 Importance of development, transfer and adaptability of technologies and knowledge for adaptation Rescue and valorization of traditional knowledge and practices Maximization of mitigation strategies that contribute to adaptation and building resilience (e.g. REDD+) Local and national capacity development and strengthening

23 Regional and global cooperation North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation Equitable access to knowledge-sharing and capacity-building Equitable access to funding and technology: recognition of vulnerability of human groups Avoid duplicating efforts: map of stakeholders, initiatives and methodologies Follow local priorities GO BEYOND ASSESSMENTS Consider gradual impacts and not only disaster management

24 Thank you!!