Environment

Adaptation to Climate Change Initiative

In line with the Government's pre-election announcement, a new Adaptation to Climate Change initiative will invest $150 million over three years, with $35 million in 2008-09, to meet high priority climate adaptation needs in vulnerable countries. The primary geographic emphasis of the program will be the Pacific Island Countries and East Timor, but it will also include targeted policy and technical assistance to other countries.

The aim is to improve the information basis for appropriate climate change responses, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, and improve the capacity of developing country partners to access donor sources of adaptation funding and manage adaptation activities.

A scientific information for policy and planning component will enhance the information base for planning adaptation responses and effectively implementing adaptation support. Investments in better risk information will build on current Australian climate prediction/monitoring investments and access the full range of Australian expertise. This component will also engage with, and build the capacity of, scientific communities in partner countries.

A climate risk management component will increase the level of understanding of key climate vulnerabilities at the regional, national and sector scales, and ensure that decision makers have access to the right information and tools to support adaptation planning and action.

An adaptation financing and implementation component will build the capacity of institutions in the region to implement adaptation responses, and provide funding for immediate, practical adaptation work. This component will support bilateral and multilateral investments in high priority adaptation activities. It will also include capacity support for institutions for implementing adaptation responses.

Contributions to major multilateral adaptation funds will include a mix of support for existing and emerging multilateral adaptation financing mechanisms. Increased engagement with these mechanisms will help improve adaptation planning and financing and leverage improved performance in our region.

The initiative is expected to lead to: improved scientific information on, and enhanced awareness of, present and future climate change impacts in partner country governments and communities; increased capacity of partner countries to consider vulnerability to climate change in development planning exercises; and increased implementation of 'on the ground' adaptation measures in vulnerable partner countries.

July 2008