ASSAR Adaptation at Scale in Semi-arid Regions Research problem - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ASSAR

Adaptation at Scale in Semi-arid Regions

Research problem and scope

• Harsh climatic & non-climate stressors in SARs lead to high

vulnerability

• SARs are generally marginalized from political and economic

development priorities

• Usually only short-term response strategies to climate stresses

addressed

• Long-term climate projections in Africa & suggest necessity of far

reaching adaptation actions

• Large potential impacts on food production & security, water

resources, from both heat and changes in moisture

• Often many social, political, economic and governance barriers to

adaptation.

• Robust knowledge systems and capacity to respond are needed

Objectives

• Generate new stakeholder-driven knowledge on vulnerability and

adaptation to climate change in SARs

• Focus on understanding what enables effective, long-term and

sustainable adaptation

• Develop and trial relevant and actionable strategies for adaptation
• Innovative communication approaches for effective knowledge

sharing on climate change vulnerability and adaptation in SARs

• Capacity strengthening for adaptation in SARs, in research, policy

and practice domains

• ASSAR research is used well beyond CARIAA so as to shape policies

and practices that enable widespread adaptation to climate change

ASSAR Research Questions

• What are critical determinants and drivers that shape vulnerability of people

in SARs?

• Where are the knowledge and capacity gaps in accessing, contextualizing and

acting on climate information?

• What new approaches can be developed to lead to more effective shaping

and communication of climate messages?

• What approaches have been/are being used in developing adaptation

strategies, and how effective have they been?

• How might climate change affect SARs, and what are the consequences for

society?

• How best can adaptation be planned in the face of biophysical and socio-

economic uncertainties?

• What are the barriers and enablers for effective, long-term adaptation, and

what interventions/investments are required to enable more widespread, sustained adaptation?

Approach

• Multi-scale: Regional -> National/State -> District/Local
• Multi-site: Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Asia
• Multi-dimensional drivers of vulnerability and adaptation capacity:
• Biophysical drivers
• Social, political, economic and governance drivers
• Research vehicle: Transformative Scenario Planning
• Social learning process
• Co-sensing/exploration of vulnerabilities, opportunities, barriers and

enablers

• Co-development of scenarios of key drivers/barriers
• Co-development of adaptation strategies that “change the future”

Project phases

Assar Consortium Structure

Regional Foci

Consortium in context of related initiatives

• CORDEX
• ACCRA
• BRACED
• CCAFS
• CLIMDEV
• SASSCAL / WASCAL
• India?

Forseen activities & role of each member

ASSAR governance and functional structure