Day 6 at Bali Climate Talks: Adaptive policymaking in a world of uncertainty
L-R: Suruchi Bhadwal, The Energy and Resources Institute, noted that the IISD/TERI project has shown that some policies such as self organizations and networks, which encourage interaction and innovation, adapt well to unanticipated conditions; Jo-Ellen Parry, IISD; and Atiq Rehman, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies.
Atiq Rahman, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, warned that delaying adaptation to climate change will increase its impacts, which could lead to human misery, greater social injustice, and damaged ecosystems. He said the challenge is to achieve economic growth and wellbeing of society without jeopardizing environmental integrity or social justice.
Suruchi Bhadwal, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), introduced an International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)/TERI project on adpatative policy making for agriculture and water resources in the face of climate change, carried out with support from the International Development Research Center (IDRC). She called for a paradigm shift in policy making in order to design policies that are able to adapt to both anticipated and unanticipated changes.
Jo-Ellen Parry, IISD, presented a case study on Manitoba’s conservation district policy, which examines the activities of seven of these districts and shows that they are generally adaptive to climate change. She said the policy demonstrates the effectiveness of devolution.
Sanjay Tomar, TERI, discussed a case study from the state of Maharashtra, India, which addresses the need for an integrated and participatory approach to watershed management. He listed adaptive measures, including: crop diversification; insurance; and income and livelihood diversification.
Jabavu Clifford Nikomo, IDRC, stressed the need for institutions to adapt and for a bottom-up participatory approach.
Participants compared lessons learned from the case studies presented.
More information
http://www.teriin.org
http://www.iisd.org
http://www.bcas.net
Contacts
Atiq Rahman <atiq.rahman@bcas.net>
Suruchi Bhadwal <suruchibib@teri.res.in>
Jo-Ellen Parry <jparry@iisd.ca>
Sanjay Tomar <sanjayt@teri.res.in>
Jabavu Clifford Nikomo <jnkomo@idrc.or.ke>
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