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Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change Adaptation A Regional Collaborative Effort – MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative by Dr VITHET Srinetr and Dr KIEN Tran-Mai Environment Division Mekong River Commission Secretariat Vientiane, Lao PDR For Regional Workshop on Climate Change and Food Security In ASEAN+3 Countries Beijing, China, 29-31 March 2011

Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

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Page 1: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change Adaptation

A Regional Collaborative Effort – MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative

by Dr VITHET Srinetr and Dr KIEN Tran-Mai Environment Division

Mekong River Commission Secretariat Vientiane, Lao PDR

For Regional Workshop on Climate Change and Food Security In ASEAN+3 Countries

Beijing, China, 29-31 March 2011

Page 2: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

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Contents Background

– Climate Change and development challenges in the Lower Mekong Basin

– Some evidences of climate changes and its impact on food security

MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative – A Regional collaborative effort on adaptation

– CCAI approach, outcomes, outputs : how it is in line with FAO approach

– Key on-going CCAI activity; demonstration sites – A focus of MRC CCAI – Food security

Ways Forward

Page 3: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

The context: Key challenges Projected population & socio-economic growth will double

current food demand by 2050 => to meet this challenge in poor countries, we need to increase crop yields by 40 %, net irrigation by 40-50 %, and 100-200 million ha additional cultivation land;

For Mekong region, not much potential for increases in rainfed & irrigated land, so we need to focus on improving agricultural water and land productivity

Leading sectors defining food security of Mekong region - Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Water Resources are highly dependent on climate variability and change and natural ecosystems, and significantly affected by any changes or shift in those systems.

Floods & droughts, saline intrusion & non-sustainable development activities will have severe impacts on those key sectors defining food security in Mekong region

Page 4: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Climate change impacts on Lower Mekong Basin MRC-CSIRO 2010: Projection and impacts on river flow

Temperature increases about 0.9 C by 2050, more in the northern part;

Sea Level Rise & serious saline intrusion in Mekong Delta Under CC, annual river flow increases 6-16% (in average 2-

11% and 18-40% in wet and dry season, respectively) Development may increase river flow in dry season by 30-

60% but reduce wet season flow 8-17% Previous study by CSIRO (Eastham et al., 2008): Dry season precipitation: increase in the North & decrease

in the South of the basin; strong water stress in some areas (e.g. North-Eastern Thailand & Tonle Sap)

Increase in flooding in all parts of the basin, especially downstream

Uncertainties: extreme events, impacts on ecosystems, livelihood and food security, modeling methods

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Page 5: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Climate change and development challenges in lower Mekong

- Most of the negative impacts will affect all Mekong countries, will overlay to and combined with the impacts of rapid development to the environment and people livelihood, especially food security

- Need for both regional strategy and effective adaptation practice and actions which address the specific needs at national and local levels

- MRC CCAI has an important role to consolidate different approaches, bring the regional concerns to each of the member countries and the local communities

Page 6: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

- Intensification of existing challenges: more frequent and intensive extreme events (flood, drought, saline intrusion etc.)

- This will affect natural and socio-economic systems and development; livelihoods of people, especially the poor & marginal groups (women, children & elders, ethnic minorities)

- Most likely impacted: Wetland & biodiversity in Mekong flood-plain; Fisheries & Agriculture

- The Mekong Delta & its coastal areas: one of the most vulnerable areas with specific impacts of sea level rise, land loss, saline intrusion and more disasters

What are climate change impacts in the Lower Mekong basin?

Page 7: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Fisheries and Flooding: An empirical model to predict fish biomass respond to

future flooding patterns under CC and Development. CC increase flood indices but less than 5% significance,

similar to Development. Flood indices and fish biomass will not be more variable

under CC and Development compared to baseline Increase in dry season’s water level under Development

and CC would have little discernable benefit to fish survival and ultimately biomass

More studies on impacts of Development and CC to fish migration are needed.

7

CC and Development Impacts on Lower Mekong basin: Food security

Page 8: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Agricultural Productivity: With current planting date, A2 may increase rain-fed rice yield by 10-

28% in Lao, 8-17% in Thailand, and varied by -6 to 6% in Cambodia and -2 to 11% in Mekong Delta

Yield increase is higher in A2 while yield decrease is higher in B2 High variation in yield from year to year indicates higher uncertainty of

the climatic variables. Food security of the basin is unlikely to be affected by the increased

population, and the impact of CC. There is even potential to maintain rice export in the future. **argument by CO2 increase**

The impacts on productivity due to extreme events and natural disaster posed by climate condition are not included in the study even though these conditions could have significant adverse effect to the agricultural yields.

Need more studies on impacts of Sea Level Rise on productivity and food security 8

CC and Development Impacts on Lower Mekong basin: Food security

Page 9: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)

A collaborative regional initiative of Lower Mekong Basin countries aiming to support the countries in adapting to the impacts and new challenges of climate change through improved planning, implementation and learning

Where: Lower Mekong Basin – 4 Member Countries Involve the Upper Mekong partners: China

and Myanmar CCAI Phasing: Long-term initiative (with three 5-years

phases, up to 2025) Linked into the cycle MRC’s Strategic

Planning process

Page 10: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

10 10

The CCAI GOAL “An economically prosperous, socially just,

environmentally sound Mekong River Basin responsive and adapting to the challenges induced by climate

change”

The OBJECTIVE “Climate change adaptation planning and implementation

is guided by improved strategy and plans at various levels and in priority locations throughout the Lower

Mekong Basin”

SCOPE • Basin wide integrated approach consistent with IWRM & the

MRC 1995 Agreement, focusing on CC impact & vulnerability assessment; adaptation planning and practical implementation in priority locations within the LMB.

Page 11: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Climate Change Adaptation Planning and Implementation

Improved Capacity to Manage and Adapt to

Climate Change

Strategies and Plans for Climate Change

Adaptation

Regional Exchange, Collaboration and

Learning

Methods and tools for assessment and adaptation planning and Climate Change Database for the Mekong Basin

Demonstration site/project for each member country for implementation of adaptation activities at local level

Basin-wide demonstration activities for adaptation in key sectors or transboundary issues

Lesson learned of demonstration activities for replication and upscaling in local, sector and national development planning

Institutional capacity strengthened in policy making and planning for climate change adaptation in LMB countries

Enhancement of capacity in using methods and tools for adaptation planning and implementation

Enhancement of capacity in monitoring/reporting the climate change and adaptation in the region and The Mekong Panel of Climate Change (MPCC) is established

Regional and National policy frameworks to facilitate and guide adaptation and implementation

System of monitoring and reporting on the status of climate change and adaptation CCAI communication plan for raising awareness, sharing information and

knowledge on climate change and adaptation

Agreements and productive collaboration with CCAI core implementing partners on climate change adaptation related issues

Institutional arrangement and implementation of CCAI Regular monitoring and evaluation and reporting to MRC Joint Committee and

Council, Donor and Core Implementing partners of CCAI progress with revision and improvement

Fund raising for the periods of 2011-2015 and 2016-2025

CCAI Outcomes and Outputs

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Page 12: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Development planning levels • Basin wide • Sub-

basin/transboundary • National • Sub-national – eg

river basins • Province • Cities/towns • Local government • Community

Development sectors • Water supply • Water sanitation • Energy • Transport • Agriculture • Fisheries • Forestry • Public health • Tourism

Adaptation planning steps • Baseline assessment • Projecting climate and

hydrological change • Socio-economic

projections • Impact assessment • Vulnerability

assessment • Developing adaptation

options • Integrating with

development plans

FAO stresses the importance of addressing impacts and responses across Sectors and scales for upscaling adaptation measures.

MRC CCAI Approach

Page 13: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

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MRC CCAI Adaptation Planning Process

Scoping the adaptation project

Vulnerability assessment

Identification of adaptation options and strategy

Implementation of adaptation options

Exposure Sensitivity

Potential Impacts

Adaptive Capacity

Vulnerability

Scoping the Adaptation Strategy/Project

Identification of Adaptation Options and Development of Adaptation Strategy

Implementation of Adaptation Options

Mon

itorin

g an

d Ev

alua

tion

of A

dapt

atio

n Im

plem

enta

tion

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

FAO also recommended steps for selecting adaptation options and designing Strategies to operationalize them in line with MRC CCAI adaptation planning.

Page 14: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

A key on-going CCAI activity - Local Demonstration Activities

Purpose: Raise awareness and build capacity of climate

change issue in the sub-national and local level through adaptation planning process

Implement the possible adaptation options to strengthen communities’ resilience

Synthesize the adaptation strategy/policy at the local level and integrate into national level

Provide lesson learned on climate change adaptation that could be replicated or upscaled.

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Page 15: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

CCAI Demo Sites

Cambodia – Prey Veng (Peam Ro,

Pream Chor, Preah Sdach and Me Sang Districts)

Lao PDR – Savannakhet (Champhone

District)

Thailand – Nam Yang Basin

(Tributary to Chi River)

Vietnam – Kien Giang province

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Page 16: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site Champhone District of Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR

Key activities: Supporting capacity building training and climate change

mainstreaming in local, provincial, and national planning and decision making process

Conducting study of potential climate change impacts, risks and vulnerability assessment.

Raising awareness of climate change and its impacts. Demonstrating implementation of adaptation options (e.g.

flood tolerant rice varieties, local irrigation) 16

“To increase resilience and adaptive capacity of authorities and local community through the process of assessment, awareness raising, and

introduction/implementation of adaptation options”

Page 17: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Climate change adaptation option: Flood Resistant Rice Experiment

in the target villages at Champhone, Savannakhet, MRC CCAI demostration site

Lao PDR (2010) 17

Page 18: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

A Focus of MRC CCAI Protecting food security

Strengthening climate resilience and managing climate change for vulnerable Mekong people by enabling to; – Protecting existing livelihoods systems – Diversify their sources of food and income – Change their livelihood strategies – Migrate if there is no adaptation option

Page 19: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

A Focus of MRC CCAI Protecting food security

- Developing Mekong climate change adaptation strategies for food security by an integration of: • ecosystems and natural resources management (biodiversity, ecosystem services); • systems of agricultural production (harvests, livestock, fishing, water, forests); • infrastructures (irrigation & flood management; • legal and institutional structures and institutional abilities (decision-making, mechanisms, legislation); • political and risk planning, monitoring, analysis and management of the plans.

Page 20: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

A Focus of MRC CCAI Protecting food security

Promoting climate change adaptation in agricultural sector which is the key for food security such as: – Adjustment of planting dates and crop variety – Improved fertilizer use – Improved rice farming – Increased use of conservation agriculture – Crop insurance – Bioenergy

In agriculture sector, Adaptation & Mitigation can go hand-in-hand

Page 21: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

A Focus of MRC CCAI Protecting food security

To achieve MDGs on food security and poverty alleviation of Mekong people through strengthening climate change adaptation; – Protecting food supplies (fisheries, agriculture

production) and people livelihoods (dependent to Mekong water uses)

– Avoiding disruptions or declines in regional (Mekong) and local food supplies due to climate change impacts (flood and drought)

– Protecting Mekong key ecosystems (wetlands, croplands) ensuring environmental services

MRC CCAI focus is in alignment with FAO’s strategic approach.

Page 22: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Ways Forward: change the future now! • Action now – dealing with climate variability with vision to

long-term climate change; • Climate Change (including variability) is just one of the

factors affecting food security; • Adaptation should be part of broader packages (e.g.

poverty reduction); • Accelerated transition to carbon-neutral economies,

increased energy efficiency, improved management of natural resources;

• New financing mechanisms for promoting both mitigation and adaptation in agriculture and forestry sectors;

• Better use of existing technologies, best practices and guidelines;

• Broader regional collaboration with partners and member countries;

Page 23: Protecting Food Security of Mekong River Basin through Climate Change … · 2012-05-25 · Climate Change Adaptation Demonstration Site . Champhone District of Savannakhet Province,

Global Phenomenon Regional Collaboration

Local Action

Mekong River Commission Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative

Thank you!

http//: www.mrcmekong.org Email: [email protected] or [email protected]