Climate change and development co-operation
Theme leaders:
Matthew Cashmore (University of East Anglia), Rob Verheem (Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment)
Climate change affects all people, but it is in developing countries that the adverse impacts will be most acutely felt, particularly amongst the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. This theme will examine state-of-the-art knowledge on how IA tools (such as EIA and SEA) can and are being used to promote climate change mainstreaming in developing countries. The goal of the theme is to establish, through open and frank dialogue, an actionable agenda for building mainstreaming capacity through joint working, efficient co-ordination, and the timely dissemination of latest developments and practical experiences.
The theme will consist of two sessions:
Session 1: Mapping the knowledge base for climate change mainstreaming.
This session will consist of presentations and deliberation, through which a picture will be developed of:
- what guidance and integration tools are available, or are being developed;
- gaps and overlaps in guidance resources and tools; and,
- opportunities for greater co-ordination and co-operation in future work on guidance and tools.
Session 2: Lessons from practice
This session will involve presentations on practical experiences of climate change mainstreaming and discussion of lessons learned. It will showcase innovative practices from a variety of developing countries and policy contexts. We will also discuss mechanisms to promote the timely and broad dissemination of emerging experiences in the future.
Theme outcomes
- Dissemination of, and dialogue on, guidance, tools and practical experiences;
- A directory of available guidance and tools;
- Proposals for the future dissemination of lessons from practice; and,
- Recommendations for co-ordination and collaboration in climate change mainstreaming work that will be taken forward to the Washington Symposium in December.
Participation in the theme
The theme will be of interest to natural and social scientists, policy-makers, individuals working for development co-operation and government agencies, non governmental organisations, and development and impact assessment practitioners.
If you would like to present your work on guidance or tools, or your practical experiences, then please contact the theme leaders by email: m.cashmore@uea.ac.uk and rverheem@eia.nl.