Adaptation

Seasonal and latitudinal movement of precipitation over time (unit: mm) showing the reproducibility of wave phase propagation and group velocity propagation of the South American monsoon by the climate model (MRI/JMA-TL959) (left: climate model, right: observation).
Reference：Adapted by OECC（Source: Tras las huellas del cambio climático en Bolivia, UNDP 2013）

The OECC supports research and business formation for adaptation based on our knowledge of climate science, impact assessment, adaptation and mitigation measures, biodiversity and on-site knowledge.

According to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), adaptation to climate change is defined as “the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities” in global warming. (IPCC AR6 WG2 Full report, P43).

Roles of the OECC

Because the climate system is a complex and not one that can be fully understood visually, it is not easy to identify the impacts of climate change in the field and find the coping strategies such as adaptation measures to reduce its risks.
Taking full account of such assumptions and constraints, the OECC works on both science and community-driven adaptation anchored on the field. Our experts in the field of climate dynamics, impact assessment and adaptation measures, policy formulation support for developing countries, ecology, coastal ecology, and oceanography bring their own backgrounds to work on the adaptation projects. Going forward, the OECC will focus on conducting research and formulating adaptation projects that highlight nature positivity and biodiversity.

Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007

Our Business

Support for Building AP-PLAT

The OECC provided support in organizing the preliminary discussion and in building the initial version of the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) which was launched in 2017 by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). AP-PLAT aims to feed research results on climate change impact assessments and on adaptation into policy development and for business adaptation.
Climate change impact assessments across various sectors (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, water resources, ecosystems, etc.) have been analyzed based on the climate models developed by countries around the world and future climate projections using supercomputers. The OECC supported the compilation of the impact assessments undertaken by researchers using the results of said analyses tools developed for public use, incorporating them into AP-PLAT. We also selected and collected good practices of adaptation business conducted by the private sector and disseminated the information through the “Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (A-PLAT)” in Japan.

Compilation of Information on Support Tools for Adaptation Policy Development

The impacts of global warming vary from region to region, affecting various sectors through weather extremes and gradual climate changes. There is a need to assess what impacts will likely occur by understanding the past, present and future to the highest extent possible and consider measures to deal with them.
The OECC has compiled information on existing impact assessment and adaptation planning support tools available to government officials and consultants. The tools are organized into two categories depending on the type of adaptation measures: (1) science-driven adaptation, which consists of monitoring, climate change projections and impact and vulnerability assessments, and (2) community-driven adaptation, which begins with an understanding of the needs of residents and local communities and strengthens resilience to the impacts of environmental change through various practices.

Development of “Guidance on Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation measures consideration”

Currently, the evaluation method for adaptation projects is globally discussed. The OECC has supported the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – which has implemented many beneficial adaptation projects in partner countries – in examining methods for evaluating its adaptation projects. After investigating the methods leveraged in the initiatives of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and other organizations, we proposed to JICA the use of the beneficiary population as a common indicator for adaptation measures, summarizing the basic concepts of the indicator. Analyses from various operational angles were also conducted and the concept and calculation methods were incorporated into the “Guidance for Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation measures consideration” as part of JICA’s Climate Finance Impact Tool (Climate-FIT) which has now entered the operational phase.

JICA’s Climate Finance Impact Tool (Climate-FIT)

Sharing Technologies and Learnings related to Adaptation in Developing Countries

JICA has been conducting an issue-specific training program “Adaptation to Climate Change” for administrative officials of developing countries. The OECC, as a contract organization, oversaw the formulation of the training curriculum, selection of lecturers and sites for study tours and the coaching of trainees. The trainees learnt about adaptation-related policies and initiatives of the Japanese government, private companies and organizations, and created and presented action plans during the training period.
In addition to classroom lectures, the trainees visited infrastructure facilities for preventing and mitigating urban flooding such as the Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel and a supercomputer that predicts future climate conditions.
By sharing Japan’s specific efforts, technologies, and knowledge in climate change adaptation, we contribute to improving the adaption capacity of developing countries.

Production of Public Information Material on Climate Change Adaptation Measures

JICA has been promoting the dissemination of knowledge it has accumulated through its assistance to developing countries and the effects of that assistance in order to strengthen its efforts to address climate change. As part of its support service for JICA, the OECC produced a promotional video on JICA’s mitigation and adaptation support for climate change measures in two countries: Indonesia and Thailand.
In making the video, we investigated and compiled information on representative supporting projects for adaptation measures in both Indonesia and Thailand. The former includes a project for reducing risks due to climate change in the agricultural sector, a mangrove conservation project and a preservation project for forest and land fire. The latter is the comprehensive project for clarifying impacts of climate change and effective adaptation measures through joint research. The promotional video also included interviews with local and international parties and contributed to effectively communicating the significance of JICA’s climate change assistance in the two countries.