GECAFSImplementation, Management

and Funding

Regional research projects

Vulnerability studies

Scenario development

Integrative studies

GECAFS Implementation

GECAFS will be implemented in four main ways

Indo-Gangetic Plain food system

Caribbean food system

Pacific coastal fisheries

Southern Africa livestock-maize food system

Vulnerability science

Scenario development

Initial GECAFS Projects

GECAFS Project on theIndo-Gangetic Plain Food System

The IGP food system is both threatened by GEC (esp. climate variability) and contributes to further GEC “forcing”.

In the face of increased climate variability, regional policy requirements are to develop strategies that:

a) sustain/boost agricultural production and diversification while limiting further environmental degradation

b) promote food provision systems which alleviate poverty and improve socioeconomic conditions for the more vulnerable

c) encourage reduced intra-regional and ruralurban labour migration

Research needs to recognise marked socioeconomic and biophysical differences across the region.

Based on a strongly interdisciplinary approach and include all 3 GECAFS Science Themes

Designed to improve regional-level policy formulation for increasing preparedness and reducing vulnerability to GEC

Address issues identified in consultation with regional policy makers and the regional and international science and donor communities

Maintain close links between researchers and end-users in project design, implementation and reporting & interpretation

Develop research agendas of equal interest to development and science agencies

GECAFS Regional Research Projects

IGP Eastern Region • low productivity – food deficit region• poor infrastructure and low inputs of fertilizer and water• high risk of flooding• out-migration of labour

Example GECAFS Issues

Theme 1: How will climate variability and associated changes in flooding affect food provision?

Theme 2: What are the institutional and market opportunities, social constraints and technical options for diversifying crops to make more effective use of flood and groundwater (e.g. deep-water rice, aquaculture)?

Theme 3: How would diversification effect rural incomes, labour migration, water quality and regional biodiversity?

IGP Western Region• high productivity – food surplus region• high investment in infrastructure• major use of fertilisers and ground-water for irrigation• in-migration of labour

Example GECAFS Issues

Theme 1: How will climate variability affect change in water demand in IGP food systems?

Theme 2: How can changes in water management (e.g. though policy instruments and/or agronomic aspects) reduce vulnerability of rice-wheat productivity to climate variability?

Theme 3: What will be the consequences of changed water management on rural livelihoods, intra-regional trade, GHG emissions and water tables?

GECAFS IGP Research Areas

assessment of vulnerability

policy needs and responses

scenario development

institutional analysis

food provision system development

socioeconomic and environmental feedbacks

data management and GIS development

water management policy

carbon management policy

Indices of human vulnerability based on a combined socioeconomic-biophysical approach.

Comprehensive scenarios of future socioeconomic and environmental conditions.

Region-specific recommendations on the institutional and technological factors that can reduce societal vulnerability to GEC.

Quantitative methods for assessing the environmental and socioeconomic tradeoffs of scenario-based adaptations to food systems.

Example GECAFS Research Products

GECAFS interactions with Sponsoring Programmes and Strategic Partners

GECAFS

CGIAR& NARS

FAO IIASA

MAWMO

example collaborations in grey

1. Scientific Advisory Committee (15)Executive Committee Chair (ex officio; Chair)Executive Committee Vice-Chair (ex officio; Vice-Chair)Executive Officer (ex officio; Secretary)12 individuals invited from (i) international science, (ii) strategic-partner and (iii) donor communities (in a liaison capacity).

2. Executive Committee (6)ChairVice-ChairExecutive Officer (ex officio, Secretary)and one rep. from each of the sponsoring Programmes.

3. Executive Officersupported by an International Project Office

 GECAFS Management

Research Project funds

GECAFS vulnerability science Developing comprehensive scenarios GECAFS regional projects (regional coordinators; commissioned reviews

and studies; data gathering; synthesis workshops; publications) Integrative studies

Coordination funds

Scientific Advisory Cmmtt and Exec Cmmtt travel and admin IPO costs (staff, travel, communications, admin) Integration and networking fund

GECAFS FundingOverview

General planning and IPO establishmentca. £200,000

NERC, ICSU, IGBP, IHDP, WCRP, US-NAS, FRN-Sweden,Research Council of Norway

Regional Project Planningca. £150,000

USAID, DFID, NOAA, IAI

GECAFS FundingPlanning Phase: 2001-02

GECAFS will build on UK research investment, e.g.:

NERC: TIGER Programme: hydrology; GHG emissions; VBD; biodiversity…; Coordination of IGBP-agroecology & -fisheries research, and WCRP-CLIVAR

ESRC: GEC Programme: institutional analyses; vulnerability; …BBSRC: impacts on crops, pests and diseases; SOM dynamics; …Tyndall Centre: adaptation studies, agent-based approaches;…

Royal Society: GER Committee

FCO/DEFRA: Climate Change Challenge Fund

DfID: Environment Policy Dept; Rural Livelihoods Dept;…

UK contributions to Framework Programme, GEF and CGIAR

A robust framework for novel, interdisciplinary approaches to GEC research that examines vulnerability to impacts, adaptations and feedbacks.

A problem-oriented, policy-relevant approach which can bring together the GEC and Development agendas, and their donor communities.

A design for analyses at regional and sub-regional levels which will help develop effective policy to protect vulnerable sections of society.

A methodology which allows an analysis of trade-offs between managing resources for both food provision and environment.

GECAFS “Distinguishing Features”