Summary
IISD Reporting Services is providing coverage of selected IDRC events at COP 22, including written, digital and video coverage.
Photos by IISD/ENB
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page
Valorization of Hydrological and Environmental Services for Integrated Water Resource Management and Adaptation to Climate Change
Organized by the Moroccan Association of Regional Sciences, the Moroccan Collective for Climate and Sustainability of Ribat Al Fath, and International Development Research Center (IDRC)
This event was moderated by Bennis Abdelhadi, Ribat Al Fath Association.
Heidi Brown, IDRC, Canada, focused discussions around how to: predict climate change impacts on water resources; improve water management to allow climate change adaptation; and develop solutions, tools and approaches to facilitate water resource management in a changing climate with rapid urbanization.
Fatima Driouech, National Climate Center, Morocco, highlighted, among others: water-cycle modifications and extreme events during the period 1950-2010; projections on annual mean near-surface soil moisture change; projections for annual average temperatures under different climatic scenarios; and stress on water resources and agricultural productivity related to climate change.
Abdoulaye Diarra, International Institute of Engineering, Water and Environment, Burkina Faso, presented on the stabilization of rainwater for agriculture in the Sahara Desert. He explained the use of complementary irrigation by small-scale crop farmers during periods of drought, and recommended: making readily accessible the characteristics of soils and data transmission channels to agriculture producers; and enhancing added value of low-cost local materials.
Moderator Bennis Abdelhadi, Ribat Al Fath Association
A participant asks a question to the panel
Panelists discussed integrated water resource management and adaptation to climate change
Participants during the discussion
A view of the room during the event
Contact:
-
Abdellatif Khattabi
| Khattabi@amsr.ma
More Information:
Accelerating Implementation of the Paris Agreement through Transitioning to Evidence-Based Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development Pathway
Presented by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES)
At this side event, moderated by George Wamukoya, Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) and Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), panelists shared experiences of African countries’ efforts to transition to low carbon and climate resilient development pathways.
Ofwona Adera provided an overview of IDRC work to support climate resilience, saying that much of the IDRC grantees’ work informs national climate adaptation policy and planning.
Eliza Northrop, World Resources Institute (WRI), said that with the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, there is now an obligation to pursue domestic measures to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). She underscored the “enormous” opportunity to align the climate and sustainable development agendas with each other to create synergies and mutual benefit, stating these include increased opportunity for accessing financial support.
On how NDCs can help achieve growth, Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Ethiopia, noted that the Government of Ethiopia has set a target to become a middle-income country by 2025, through building a climate resilient, green economy.
Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya, outlined Kenya’s climate change act, saying that the act’s purpose is to build and enhance climate resilience and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders at this level.
Raymond Kasei, AGNES, underscored the imperative of education and science for addressing climate change, noting the development of warning systems in Ghana as a result.
Joanes Atela, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), highlighted the opportunity technology provides. He called for increased investment for research and development and underlined the importance of evidence-based research.
During discussions, participants addressed capacity building; the interfaces between think tanks and governments; integrating gender into NDCs; financing for NDCs; translating climate “jargon” for local communities to understand; the African Union Agenda 2063; and integrating indigenous knowledge systems to enhance adaptive capacity.
In closing, Wamukoya urged strengthening Africa’s institutions and think tanks. Ofwona Adera suggested more work should be done to link researchers at continental, regional and local level to inform NDCs and other policy processes.
(L-R) Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya; Raymond Kasei, AGNES; Eliza Northrop, WRI; Joanes Atela, ACTS; and Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Prime Minister’s Office, Ethiopia
Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Eliza Northrop, WRI, said that NDCs will be the basis for climate action going forward
Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Ethiopia, said that national plans need to be adjusted in light of the obligation to submit NDCs
Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya, noted that Kenya’s climate change act informs their activities in this regard, including NDCs
Joanes Atela, outlined efforts by ACTS to improve capacity to access funds from the Green Climate Fund.
Participants during the event
Contact:
-
George Wamukoya, Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES)
| wamukoyageorge@gmail.com -
Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
| eadera@idrc.or.ke