GIZ Participates in the Community-Based Adaptation Conference, Kathmandu

UnniKrishnan.D, Senior Advisor, Natural Resource Management represented GIZ in the recently concluded 8th Annual Community-Based Adaptation Conference, organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development, from 24-30 April 2014, in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event brought together over 400 stakeholders and practitioners in community-based adaptation from 62 countries focusing on Financing Community-Based Adaptation, sharing best practices and integrating lessons learned into development planning.

Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, presided over the event that concluded with the adoption of the 'Kathmandu Declaration on Financing Local Adaptation,' which calls on developed countries to provide adequate finance in accordance with their international obligations. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of, inter alia: targeting the most vulnerable communities; providing open access to information; creating a multi-stakeholder and inclusive process; and investing in local government capacity building. The Declaration states that least 50 per cent of all financing for adaptation should be allocated to local level actions and local communities.

A case study from the GIZ Umbrella Programme for Natural Resource Management (UPNRM) was presented under the plenary “Evidence for Effectiveness” in financing. This model threw light on innovative ways of utilising shrinking climate change adaptation finance. The presentation and further deliberations resulted in this financing model of NABARD finding a mention in the final ‘Kathmandu Declaration on Financing Local Adaptation’.

The event included a poster presentation on the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund Board approved project on climate proofing of watersheds supported GIZ, and screening of a short film made by the project titled “Fishing for Growth”.