Technologies for Adaptation
Perspectives and Practical Experiences
Editors
Lars Christiansen
Anne Olhoff
Sara Trærup
November 2011
Foreword
Adaptation is a process by which countries, local communities and individuals find and implement ways of adjusting to the consequences of climate change. Adaptation to climate change involves identification and implementation of a diverse and wide range of technological options which can comprise “hard” technologies such as seawalls, dykes, irrigation techniques and “soft” ones such as crop rotation patterns as well as information and knowledge. Local communities have been coping with climate variability and change over generations by using accumulated indigenous knowledge and practices. While the concept of adaptation is not new and has nowadays become clearer, the concept of technologies for adaptation has not received proper attention. In the technology transfer debate, historically, the focus has been on mitigation technologies, with limited attention given to adaptation ones. The literature as well as operational experience with adaptation technologies has been quite limited; and there is currently a lack of clarity even in terms of basic definitions and concepts related to technologies for adaptation.
I am pleased to introduce this second edition of the Technology Transfer Perspective series with adaptation technologies as the theme. This current edition of the Technology Transfer Perspective series was commissioned to bring clarity on these issues. It brings perspectives of a number of practitioners, academia and policymakers on the concept of technologies for adaptation. One of its key objectives is to further facilitate Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) processes in countries and contribute to the international discussions on technology transfer for adaptation. The publication is brought out as a part of the technical support to the 36 countries participating in Foreword Ibrahim Thiaw Director, Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, United Nations Environment Programme vi the global TNA Project, which UNEP and UNEP Risø Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development (URC) are implementing across Africa, Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Latin America, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a key element of the Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer. This UNEP–GEF project which aims to provide targeted financial and technical support to developing countries in carrying out improved Technology Needs Assessments for mitigation and adaptation constitutes an important component of UNEP’s work on climate change.
It is hoped that the publication will add valuable insights to the adaptation technologies by helping to clarify conceptual ambiguities and generating debate among the stakeholders, which eventually may facilitate sharing and transfer of adaptation technologies so they can serve to the most vulnerable communities, particularly those whose lives and livelihoods rely on natural resources which are exposed to continuous threats due to climate change hazards.
The publication should be of interest to policy makers and planners in developing countries, NGOs and practitioners engaged in helping communities in adaptation, experts, and other stakeholders interested in the topic.
