1 June 2005 Technologies for adaptation to climate change under the UNFCCC process Iulian Florin Vladu Technology Sub-programme Sustainable Development

1June 2005

Technologies for Technologies for adaptation to climate change adaptation to climate change under the UNFCCC processunder the UNFCCC process

Iulian Florin VladuIulian Florin Vladu

Technology Sub-programmeTechnology Sub-programme

Sustainable Development ProgrammeSustainable Development Programme

UNFCCCUNFCCC

Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Iulian Florin VLADU - Technology Subprogramme

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OUTLINEOUTLINE

Technologies for adaptation under the technology Technologies for adaptation under the technology agenda itemagenda item

Some reflections based on the work done (technical Some reflections based on the work done (technical papers, scoping paper, regional workshop)papers, scoping paper, regional workshop) What are technologies for adaptation to climate change?What are technologies for adaptation to climate change?

What technologies are reasonable for climate change?What technologies are reasonable for climate change?

Analysis of needs and setting prioritiesAnalysis of needs and setting priorities

Integration with sustainable developmentIntegration with sustainable development

Examples of technologies by sectorsExamples of technologies by sectors


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TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION UNDER THE TECHNOLOGY AGENDA ITEMUNDER THE TECHNOLOGY AGENDA ITEM

Article 4.5 of the Convention: The developed country Article 4.5 of the Convention: The developed country Parties and other developed Parties included in Annex Parties and other developed Parties included in Annex II shall take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate II shall take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access and finance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and knowhow to, environmentally sound technologies and knowhow to other Parties, particularly developing country to other Parties, particularly developing country Parties, to enable them to implement the provisions of Parties, to enable them to implement the provisions of the Conventionthe Convention

Environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) under Environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) under Article 4.5 of the Convention, includes both Article 4.5 of the Convention, includes both technologies conducive to mitigation of and adapting technologies conducive to mitigation of and adapting to climate changeto climate change


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Examples of requests from COP and SBSTA:Examples of requests from COP and SBSTA: Prepare an Prepare an inventoryinventory and assessment of environmentally and assessment of environmentally

sound and economically viable technologies and know-how sound and economically viable technologies and know-how conducive to mitigating and adapting to climate change conducive to mitigating and adapting to climate change

Prepare progress reports on Prepare progress reports on activities of Annex Iactivities of Annex I Parties Parties relating to the introduction of adaptation technologiesrelating to the introduction of adaptation technologies

Compile a Compile a cataloguecatalogue of adaptation technologies and know- of adaptation technologies and know-howhow

Survey Survey technology needstechnology needs Provide support to Parties to assess their technology needsProvide support to Parties to assess their technology needs Synthesize and disseminate information on adaptation Synthesize and disseminate information on adaptation

technologiestechnologies Prepare Prepare technical paperstechnical papers and organize this seminar and organize this seminar

EGTT included also activities on technologies for EGTT included also activities on technologies for adaptation in its work programme for 2004 and 2005adaptation in its work programme for 2004 and 2005



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Prepared a number of reports and technical papers Prepared a number of reports and technical papers which are directly or partially relevant to adaptation:which are directly or partially relevant to adaptation: Initial report on technology inventory and assessmentInitial report on technology inventory and assessment Technical paper on Technical paper on Adaptation to climate change: options Adaptation to climate change: options

and technologiesand technologies Technology and technology information needs arising from Technology and technology information needs arising from

the survey of developing country Partiesthe survey of developing country Parties Technical paper on Technical paper on Coastal adaptation technologiesCoastal adaptation technologies Technical paper on Technical paper on Enabling environments for technology Enabling environments for technology

transfertransfer Compilation and synthesis of Annex II National Compilation and synthesis of Annex II National

Communications, with specific reference to adaptation Communications, with specific reference to adaptation technologiestechnologies

EGTT scoping paper on EGTT scoping paper on Basic concepts of adaptation relevant Basic concepts of adaptation relevant technologiestechnologies

Background paper on Background paper on Technology to understand and manage Technology to understand and manage climate risksclimate risks (prepared for this seminar) (prepared for this seminar)


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Access to information - the secretariat has established a Access to information - the secretariat has established a technology information clearing house (TT:CLEAR) which includes technology information clearing house (TT:CLEAR) which includes following elements relating to adaptation:following elements relating to adaptation: Inventory of existing adaptation centres. Experts and organizationsInventory of existing adaptation centres. Experts and organizations

Cooperation projects on technology for adaptation (mainly from Cooperation projects on technology for adaptation (mainly from national communications of both Annex I and non-Annex I Parties, national communications of both Annex I and non-Annex I Parties, technology needs assessments and NAPAs)technology needs assessments and NAPAs)

Case studiesCase studies

Access to information - a pilot network of technology information Access to information - a pilot network of technology information centres was established. The pilot network will be extended this centres was established. The pilot network will be extended this year to include three centres from developing country Parties, one year to include three centres from developing country Parties, one for each geographical regionfor each geographical region


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Provided support to non-Annex I Parties to conduct Provided support to non-Annex I Parties to conduct technology needs assessments (TNAs)technology needs assessments (TNAs) Some 80 TNAs conducted with support from UNDPSome 80 TNAs conducted with support from UNDP Some 15 TNAs conducted with support from UNEPSome 15 TNAs conducted with support from UNEP

UNDP prepared a guidebook on Conducting UNDP prepared a guidebook on Conducting technology needs assessments for climate changetechnology needs assessments for climate change

Started to work on summarizing the results of the Started to work on summarizing the results of the TNAs completed so farTNAs completed so far


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WHAT ARE ADAPTATION TECHNOLOGIES?WHAT ARE ADAPTATION TECHNOLOGIES?

Many technologies have been used to adapt to Many technologies have been used to adapt to contemporary contemporary climate variability and extremesclimate variability and extremes. . Examples of existing a technologies for adaptation Examples of existing a technologies for adaptation include air conditioning, flood-defence systems and include air conditioning, flood-defence systems and irrigation, but also monitoring, forecasting and early-irrigation, but also monitoring, forecasting and early-warning systems for natural hazardswarning systems for natural hazards

These technologies can also be used to adapt to These technologies can also be used to adapt to climate change, although they may need to be climate change, although they may need to be improved and new technologies may need to be improved and new technologies may need to be developed because climate change is likely to impose developed because climate change is likely to impose new and higher standards of reliability and new and higher standards of reliability and performanceperformance


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Attempting a definition of technologies for adaptation Attempting a definition of technologies for adaptation to climate change poses significant challenges:to climate change poses significant challenges:

Adaptation is a very broad term alluding to many diverse Adaptation is a very broad term alluding to many diverse sectors and systems, including sectors and systems, including humanhuman and and natural systemsnatural systems and their interrelationships, on which and their interrelationships, on which climate change impactsclimate change impacts are dependent on other considerations such as are dependent on other considerations such as vulnerability, vulnerability, sensitivity, resiliencesensitivity, resilience etc. etc.

In contrast, for mitigation, greenhouse gases are emitted In contrast, for mitigation, greenhouse gases are emitted largely as a result of the application of technology itself, so largely as a result of the application of technology itself, so possible solutions already have a teological baseline possible solutions already have a teological baseline

A definition of technology for adaptation that can adequately A definition of technology for adaptation that can adequately capture the multitude of situations to which it can, or ought, to capture the multitude of situations to which it can, or ought, to apply would be difficult. Such a definition would need to apply would be difficult. Such a definition would need to incorporate the concepts of “adaptation” and “technology”incorporate the concepts of “adaptation” and “technology”


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In the climate change context, adaptation has been In the climate change context, adaptation has been defined as the “adjustment in natural or human defined as the “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, that moderates harm or exploits stimuli or their effects, that moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities”beneficial opportunities”

Technology has been defined as “a piece of Technology has been defined as “a piece of equipment, technique, practical knowledge or skills for equipment, technique, practical knowledge or skills for performing a particular activity”performing a particular activity”


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An operational definition of An operational definition of technologytechnology for adaptation for adaptation could therefore be:could therefore be:

““Any application of equipment, techniques, practical Any application of equipment, techniques, practical knowledge or skills that would allow natural or human knowledge or skills that would allow natural or human systems to adjust to actual or expected climatic stimuli or systems to adjust to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, by moderating harm or exploiting beneficial their effects, by moderating harm or exploiting beneficial opportunities” opportunities” or in simpler language or in simpler language

““The application of technology in order to reduce the The application of technology in order to reduce the vulnerability, or enhance the resilience, of a natural or human vulnerability, or enhance the resilience, of a natural or human system to the impacts of climate change”. system to the impacts of climate change”.


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This definition would also incorporate the use, This definition would also incorporate the use, development or adoption of development or adoption of innovative approachesinnovative approaches to to achieve the same end, such as the management of achieve the same end, such as the management of natural and human systems, or components thereofnatural and human systems, or components thereof

It also implies human intervention in the adaptation It also implies human intervention in the adaptation process, contrasted to autonomous adaptationprocess, contrasted to autonomous adaptation Most adaptations will be done in reaction to climate change Most adaptations will be done in reaction to climate change

(e.g., farmer switches crops - “autonomous” adaptation). We (e.g., farmer switches crops - “autonomous” adaptation). We are focusing on “anticipatory” or “purposeful” adaptation - are focusing on “anticipatory” or “purposeful” adaptation - deliberately done to anticipate effects of climate change (may deliberately done to anticipate effects of climate change (may also be to address current needs)also be to address current needs)

See also next presentation..See also next presentation..


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Technological approaches to anticipatory and planned Technological approaches to anticipatory and planned adaptation may include both “soft” technology and adaptation may include both “soft” technology and “hard” technology“hard” technology Hard technology —also called capital goods, hardware or Hard technology —also called capital goods, hardware or

embodied technology— refers to tools, machinery, equipment embodied technology— refers to tools, machinery, equipment and entire production systems (what we traditionally think of and entire production systems (what we traditionally think of as technologies, e.g., equipment, structures)as technologies, e.g., equipment, structures)


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Soft technologies —also called software or Soft technologies —also called software or disembodied technology— concerns the knowledge of disembodied technology— concerns the knowledge of methods and techniques for the production of goods methods and techniques for the production of goods and services, or for choosing optimal courses of and services, or for choosing optimal courses of actionaction Soft technologies enable hard technologies to be appliedSoft technologies enable hard technologies to be applied Analogous to “adaptive capacity”Analogous to “adaptive capacity” Includes such elements as education, trainingIncludes such elements as education, training Can also include approaches to overcome barriers to adoption Can also include approaches to overcome barriers to adoption

of technologies (e.g., market, economic, institutional, of technologies (e.g., market, economic, institutional, cultural)?cultural)?


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WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE REASONABLE WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE REASONABLE FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

The development and deployment of either type of The development and deployment of either type of technology requires the right economic, legal and technology requires the right economic, legal and institutional contexts. Therefore, an effective institutional contexts. Therefore, an effective adaptation strategy will comprise a mix of various adaptation strategy will comprise a mix of various adaptation approachesadaptation approaches

Do we invest now in technologies to anticipate climate Do we invest now in technologies to anticipate climate change? Does it make sense to deploy them now?change? Does it make sense to deploy them now? Benefits are too far in future to justify large investment Benefits are too far in future to justify large investment solely solely

for climate change..for climate change..

Too many uncertainties about local climate change. However, Too many uncertainties about local climate change. However, R&D may make sense..R&D may make sense..


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What technologies for adaptation do we invest in?What technologies for adaptation do we invest in? Basically, ones that are needed for today’s needs and are Basically, ones that are needed for today’s needs and are

further justified by consideration of climate change..further justified by consideration of climate change.. Means that technologies do not address climate change Means that technologies do not address climate change

alone?alone?


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WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE REASONABLE WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE REASONABLE FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE? FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Timing Timing Should consider these technologies when adaptations will be Should consider these technologies when adaptations will be

needed?needed? Because of barriers or length of investments, some Because of barriers or length of investments, some

adaptations could take many years to implement. Therefore it adaptations could take many years to implement. Therefore it may make sense to address barriers for long-term adaptations may make sense to address barriers for long-term adaptations now so implementation is shortenednow so implementation is shortened

Agriculture vs. waterAgriculture vs. water Many agriculture investments take 5 to Many agriculture investments take 5 to

30 years30 years Water investments such as supply can Water investments such as supply can

take 50 to 100 years take 50 to 100 years Different timing of investments may be Different timing of investments may be

justifiedjustified


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Technologies which help reduce the impacts of climate Technologies which help reduce the impacts of climate change can themselves cause other problems change can themselves cause other problems Coastal zone adaptation technologies are a good example. Coastal zone adaptation technologies are a good example.

Many of the technologies incorporated within, or needed to Many of the technologies incorporated within, or needed to implement, managed retreat from, accommodation of, or implement, managed retreat from, accommodation of, or protection against, rising sea levels can have adverse social, protection against, rising sea levels can have adverse social, economic or environmental consequences, often even when economic or environmental consequences, often even when diligently executed (e.g., most hard structures such as sea diligently executed (e.g., most hard structures such as sea walls have deleterious effects upon local ecosystems, walls have deleterious effects upon local ecosystems, including, in the case of many small islands, for example, including, in the case of many small islands, for example, fisheries and coral reefs)fisheries and coral reefs)

Few, if any, coastal adaptation technologies have no negative Few, if any, coastal adaptation technologies have no negative side-effects. Under certain circumstances these unintended side-effects. Under certain circumstances these unintended side-effects can outweigh the benefits of a particular coastal side-effects can outweigh the benefits of a particular coastal adaptation technologyadaptation technology


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Analyze vulnerability and adaptation needs Analyze vulnerability and adaptation needs Need to understand vulnerability to current climate and Need to understand vulnerability to current climate and

climate changeclimate change Need to address climate change adaptation needsNeed to address climate change adaptation needs

Challenges of assessing vulnerabilityChallenges of assessing vulnerability Difficulty in comparing across sectors because of differences Difficulty in comparing across sectors because of differences

in impacts: human life, income, well being, ecological in impacts: human life, income, well being, ecological impacts (adaptation does not have equivalent of $/TC)impacts (adaptation does not have equivalent of $/TC)

Uncertainties about climate changeUncertainties about climate change Time frameTime frame

UNDP Adaptation PolicyUNDP Adaptation PolicyFramework Framework (scope project; assess current vulnerability;(scope project; assess current vulnerability;characterize future, climate-related risks; characterize future, climate-related risks; develop adaptation strategy;develop adaptation strategy;continue adaptation process)continue adaptation process)


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ANALYSIS OF NEEDS AND SETTING ANALYSIS OF NEEDS AND SETTING PRIORITIESPRIORITIES

Vulnerability assessment is a natural prelude to Vulnerability assessment is a natural prelude to technology assessment in the context of adaptation. technology assessment in the context of adaptation. An assessment primarily involves an analysis of the An assessment primarily involves an analysis of the vulnerability of sectors and systems and the vulnerability of sectors and systems and the approaches (technologies) that can be applied to approaches (technologies) that can be applied to reduce the identified vulnerability or enhance reduce the identified vulnerability or enhance resilienceresilience

The actual on-the-ground implementation of any The actual on-the-ground implementation of any technology would have to be a decision based on the technology would have to be a decision based on the TNA process, involving TNA process, involving inter aliainter alia, technology , technology assessments, stakeholder consultations, analysis and assessments, stakeholder consultations, analysis and removal of implementation barriers, enabling removal of implementation barriers, enabling environments, implementation plans, etc.environments, implementation plans, etc.


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A complete assessment of adaptation options would A complete assessment of adaptation options would include an analysis of adaptive capacity, cost-benefit include an analysis of adaptive capacity, cost-benefit analyses, effectiveness, and efficiency etc. that may or analyses, effectiveness, and efficiency etc. that may or may not fall within the purview of “technology” per semay not fall within the purview of “technology” per se

Technology itself can have adverse impacts of its own Technology itself can have adverse impacts of its own and technology as applied to adaptation may also need and technology as applied to adaptation may also need to be assessed for these adverse impacts, either on to be assessed for these adverse impacts, either on natural or human systems (see above example on natural or human systems (see above example on coastal zone technologies)coastal zone technologies)


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Identify broad adaptation needs first. What is really Identify broad adaptation needs first. What is really needed?needed? Set prioritiesSet priorities Policy reforms may be most importantPolicy reforms may be most important

Do not assume technology is the answer; use it as Do not assume technology is the answer; use it as neededneeded

Recognize that many adaptations are on an ad hoc Recognize that many adaptations are on an ad hoc basis. Do not ignore these opportunitiesbasis. Do not ignore these opportunities

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=30251&id=10765


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It is important to rank technologies in terms of priorities. No right It is important to rank technologies in terms of priorities. No right or wrong way to do it: be consistent and transparentor wrong way to do it: be consistent and transparent

TNA process suggests priority setting involve stakeholders and TNA process suggests priority setting involve stakeholders and be comprehensivebe comprehensive

Can consider criteria such as most cost-effectively reducing Can consider criteria such as most cost-effectively reducing current risks or addressing urgent climate change needs (e.g., current risks or addressing urgent climate change needs (e.g., where vulnerability or costs of response could increase if not where vulnerability or costs of response could increase if not addressed)addressed)

The TNA process is country driven and include national priorities. The TNA process is country driven and include national priorities. Nevertheless, common grounds can be defined that might be Nevertheless, common grounds can be defined that might be useful to other countries in dealing with adaptation issuesuseful to other countries in dealing with adaptation issues

Information generated by other processes such as National Information generated by other processes such as National Communications, NAPAs, UNDP APF etc. should also be taken Communications, NAPAs, UNDP APF etc. should also be taken into considerationinto consideration


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TNA example - MauritiusTNA example - MauritiusCoastal Zones Coastal Zones (technologies in use) Coastal Zones (projects)

Retreat Hard engineering River Management Project

Replacement Casements (alternative casements such as coastal access roads may need to be rearranged far in advance of their erosion / submergence) Sea walls

Marine Parks4 Setback Building Distance (a buffer zone between the shoreline and permanent structures, which protect properties in the event of sea level rise and more frequent

flooding. It should not be uniform and will depend on coastal type.Groynes

IsletsAccommodate Gabions Monitoring

Inland flood defences (essentially the creation of a new coastal strip to reduce vulnerability to more frequent flooding) Breakwaters Mangrove Re-plantationFlood warning systems (systems to provide real-time forecasts of high tides, surges and wave overtopping) Soft Engineering Integrated Resort SchemeBetter management of rain / waste water (various technologies related to drainage and sewer schemeswill need to be introduced to improve management of rain and wastewater. This will reduce potential geo-technical erosion and recession problems)

Beach nourishment,

Awareness ProgrammeProtect Building with nature techniques

2 Building with 'nature' techniques (building with nature techniques includes the creation, maintenance or restoration of wetlands, marshlands and dune systems) Artificial reefs

3 Stimulate growth of coral reefs naturally or artificially (it involves the creation of appropriate media for corals togrow upon)

Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Hand-placed rock sea walls (hand placed rocks to form sea walls are a common line of protection used. Placed correctly and maintained, they have been demonstrated to be an effective technology)

Gabions (They are low-cost wire or plastic baskets filled with local materials. The baskets are placed together as building blocks to form structures that act as a last line of defence against high waves associated with storms)

Groynes (They are structures placed perpendicularly to the shore to trap sediments often in direct response to an acute erosion problem)

Revertments (It is a slope consisting of loose or inter-locking nature, which provides protection to banks or cliffs made up of erodable material)

Bulkheads and seawalls (They are retaining walls made of concrete or interlocking rocks, whose primary purpose is to hold or prevent sliding of terrain while providing protection from light to moderate wave action)

Breakwaters (they are double-sided structures with water on both sides, used to dissipate wave and current energy. They are made with large amount of rocks and other special construction material)

Storm surge barriers (They are sophisticated coastal defence structures that can protect tidal inlets, rivers and estuaries from occasional surge events)

Flooding and storm drains (They are technologies to manage the run-off of rainwater and can prevent serious erosion during storms)

1 Beach nourishment


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INTEGRATION WITH SUSTAINABLE INTEGRATION WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Address current problems that can be made worse by Address current problems that can be made worse by climate changeclimate change

Consider future development pathsConsider future development paths

Identify where these paths:Identify where these paths:» Exacerbates existing problems » Eases existing problems» Creates new problems

Identify linkages with climate changeIdentify linkages with climate change


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EXAMPLES – WATER RESOURCESEXAMPLES – WATER RESOURCES

Options can involve actions on both the demand and Options can involve actions on both the demand and supply sidessupply sides Supply side adaptations: increasing flood defences, building Supply side adaptations: increasing flood defences, building

weirs and locks to manage water levels and modifying or weirs and locks to manage water levels and modifying or extending infrastructure to collect and distribute water to extending infrastructure to collect and distribute water to consumersconsumers

Demand-side adaptive techniques: water-efficient irrigation Demand-side adaptive techniques: water-efficient irrigation such as drip-irrigation technology, water conservation such as drip-irrigation technology, water conservation techniques, land use management technology techniques, land use management technology

Water conservation for potable use would be of high Water conservation for potable use would be of high importance for countries projected to have a decrease importance for countries projected to have a decrease in annual rainfallin annual rainfall

Protection of surface and ground water reserves can Protection of surface and ground water reserves can employ pollution prevention technology in sectors that employ pollution prevention technology in sectors that give rise to water pollutants such as industry and give rise to water pollutants such as industry and agriculture agriculture


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EXAMPLES – WATER RESOURCESEXAMPLES – WATER RESOURCES

Limited water supplyLimited water supply Already a problem because of overuse, pollutionAlready a problem because of overuse, pollution Higher population, economic growth Higher population, economic growth couldcould exacerbate exacerbate

problem by increasing demandproblem by increasing demand Climate change risks reducing supply:Climate change risks reducing supply:

» Salt water intrusion from sea level rise» Reduced runoff/infiltration

Identify technologies that address water supply needs Identify technologies that address water supply needs e.g.,e.g., Increase efficiency of useIncrease efficiency of use Reduce lossesReduce losses Increase supplyIncrease supply


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EXAMPLES - AGRICULTUREEXAMPLES - AGRICULTUREExamples of adaptation opportunities to climate-change impacts on agricultural systems

Response strategy Adaptation options

Use different crops or varieties to match changing water supply and temperature conditions

Conduct research to develop new crop varieties Improve distribution networks

Change land topography to reduce runoff, improve water uptake and reduce wind erosion

Subdivide large fields Grass waterways Land leveling Waterway-leveled pans Bench terracing Tied ridges Deep plowing Roughen land surface Use windbreaks

Introduce systems to improve water use and availability and control soil erosion Low-cost pumps and water supplies Dormant season irrigation Line canals or install pipes Use brackish water where possible Concentrate irrigation water during peak-growth period Level fields, recycle tailwater, irrigate alternate furrows Drip-irrigation systems Diversions

Change farming practices to conserve soil moisture and nutrients, reduce runoff and control soil erosion

Conventional bare fallow Stubble/straw mulching Minimum tillage Crop rotation Contour cropping to slope Avoid monocropping - Chisel up soil clods Use lower planting densities

Change timing of farm operations to better fit new climatic conditions Advance sowing dates to offset moisture stress during warm period


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EXAMPLES - AGRICULTUREEXAMPLES - AGRICULTURE

Chemical pollution from agriculture. Agricultural Chemical pollution from agriculture. Agricultural activity can affect water quality through run off from activity can affect water quality through run off from fertilizers, pesticides and soils into surface and fertilizers, pesticides and soils into surface and groundwater. A logical approach would be to groundwater. A logical approach would be to prevent/reduce the amount of chemicals used. Two prevent/reduce the amount of chemicals used. Two such approaches can be:such approaches can be: Integrated Pest Management (IPM): involves pest control Integrated Pest Management (IPM): involves pest control

methods including growing pest-resistant cultivars, crop methods including growing pest-resistant cultivars, crop rotation and tillage techniques. Efficient and proper rotation and tillage techniques. Efficient and proper application of pesticides can reduce chemical loadsapplication of pesticides can reduce chemical loads

Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS): involves the Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS): involves the efficient use of nutrient supply to crops; helps to improve efficient use of nutrient supply to crops; helps to improve productive capacity of soils; timely and sufficient use of on- productive capacity of soils; timely and sufficient use of on- and off-farm nutrient supply can reduce run-off to surface-, and off-farm nutrient supply can reduce run-off to surface-, and leaching to, groundwaterand leaching to, groundwater


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EXAMPLES – HUMAN HEALTHEXAMPLES – HUMAN HEALTH Health impact

Population level

Individual level

Heat stress

- Air conditioning - Adjustment of building designs (insulation, blinds, ventilation) - Tree planting in urban areas

- Protective clothing (hats, sunglasses, light fabrics) - Domestic cooling

High-wind extremes

- Strengthening of buildings and other structures - Early-warning systems - Disaster-preparedness programmes

High-water extremes (see also sections 3.3 and 3.5)

- Flood-defence systems - Increased mobility - Set-backs - Improved run-off facilities

- Domestic protection

Vector-borne diseases

- Vector-control approaches (e.g., fumigation) - Primary health care, including vaccinations and medicines - Public health surveillance and control programmes - Environmental management

- Mosquito nets and repellents - Wire gauze (door and window screens)

Water/food-borne diseases

- Improved water-supply systems - Water purification - Improved sanitation - Primary health care, including vaccinations and medicines - Public health surveillance and control programmes - Environmental management

- Personal hygiene

Plant aero-allergens

- Allergy warning systems

- Anti-allergens and other drugs


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FINAL THOUGHTSFINAL THOUGHTS

Knowledge of adaptation technologies and practices is Knowledge of adaptation technologies and practices is limited and the work of the EGTT on this topic just limited and the work of the EGTT on this topic just started. Nevertheless, a wide range of sector-specific started. Nevertheless, a wide range of sector-specific ESTs that can function as adaptation technologies are ESTs that can function as adaptation technologies are available depending on the vulnerability of a particular available depending on the vulnerability of a particular sectorsector

A main challenge remains to identify these A main challenge remains to identify these technologies, assess them, adapt them to local technologies, assess them, adapt them to local conditions and deploy themconditions and deploy them

Need to begin with present-day needs and to consider Need to begin with present-day needs and to consider development paths. What problems are made worse, development paths. What problems are made worse, eased or introduced and add in climate change as a eased or introduced and add in climate change as a considerationconsideration

Technology can be an answer but is not always the Technology can be an answer but is not always the answeranswer


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Thank you! Thank you!

Documents

1 June 2005 Technologies for adaptation to climate change under the UNFCCC process Iulian Florin Vladu Technology Sub-programme Sustainable Development