1. Introduction 4. Output
2. Aim 5. Material and preparation
3. Input data 6. Exercise instructions


Introduction

Understanding the complexity of vulnerability and devising means to address it requires looking at exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity in a holistic manner. The previous exercises in the Vulnerability Assessment have laid the groundwork for enabling the relevant area or economic sector to identify, rank and study the factors that constitute and influence the adaptive capacity of key actors to cope with sensitive activities in response to various climate and socio-economic stressors (Figure 1). This exercise will guide you to work towards concrete steps in a local climate response Action Plan that are based on increased recognition about the factors that ease or hinder implementation of chosen adaptation or capitalization measures.

Our ability and willingness to take decisions and implement climate adaptation strategies and measures is often influenced by what we view as barriers or constraints. The barriers can limit the adaptation or plausibility process by questioning its usefulness or blocking avenues to realizing plans. At the same time the facilitating factors can be underestimated or overlooked. Furthermore, climate adaptation measures often involve cooperation across actors that in many cases have not previously existed. Therefore it is important to identify what factors limit and facilitate processes in order to realistically address these in order to find means to design and implement plausible and locally relevant strategies. 


Figure 1. A schematic picture of the main elements of integrated vulnerability, potential impact as well as which areas each of the seven exercises address

 
Aim

This exercise aims at creating a local climate response Action Plan. First you will identify and evaluate the factors that facilitate and limit adaptation measures, mitigation potential or capitalization of benefits. Once you have identified the measures that could help you meet the identified threats or seize the opportunities, and who will bear the responsibility for their planning, implementation, and maintenance, you can outline the main measures needed to enhance adaptive and capitalization capacity. In the final step a review of the outcome of the previous exercises will serve to enable the identification of areas (spatial and organizational) of special concern, where vulnerability is relatively low and/or where there are good opportunities to capitalize on various strengths. 

Input data

Results from Exercise IV - Local sensitivity,
Exercise V - Adaptive capacity
, and
Exercise VI - Actors and responsibilities
.
 

Output

1. A short list of prioritized adaptation or capitalization measures, potential conflicts, facilitating factors/co-benefits and barriers to implementation of the identified measures.

2. A local climate response Action Plan of prioritized measures including a number of concrete steps of what, when and how it needs to be done and by whom. 

Material and preparation

  • Prepare a flipchart sized paper with Table 1 and Table 2 (can be downloaded from the Related files on the right).
  • Prepare a flipchart sized paper and attach the Cards describing the factors that influence adaptive capacity (from Exercise V).
  • Prepare a flipchart sized paper and attach the "planets" representing influential actors in climate adaptation, mitigation and capitalization (from Exercise VI).
  • Prepare a flipchart sized paper and list the identified climate-related sensitive activities (from the Exercise A - Mapping the stakeholders and/or Exercise IV).
  • Have at hand extra tape and extra "planets" (different sized color circles)

Table 1. List of concrete adaptation or capitalization measures, areas of conflict, facilitating factors/co-benefits and barriers to implementation  

Concrete adaptation measures:
1.
2.
3.
...
Co-benefits/conflicts of interest:
1.
2.
3.
...
Facilitating factors:
1.
2.
3.
...
Barriers:
1.
2.
3.
...


Table 2. A local climate response action plan outlining steps towards adaptation and capitalization measures with details on areas of responsibility, time lines and specific tasks and assignments 
 

ACTION PLAN

1st Adaptation measure:
Who will do what?  When will it be done?  How will it be done? (step-by-step)
2nd Adaptation measure:
Who will do what?  When will it be done?   How will it be done? (step-by-step)
3rd Adaptation measure:
Who will do what?  When will it be done?   How will it be done? (step-by-step)
...

 

Exercise instructions

1. The Process Leader presents the exercise. If you have not conducted Exercise IV (Local sensitivity), Exercise V (Adaptive capacity), and Exercise VI (Actors and responsibilities), please prepare a discussion at the meeting in which you make a rapid appraisal of the issues that you are missing.

2. Post the sheets that display the results from previous exercises: Local sensitivity (IV), Adaptive capacity (V), and Key actors and their responsibilities (VI) on the wall or table.

3. Place the Chart displaying Table 1 on the table.

4. With a fresh look at the challenges and chances facing your local area or economic sector, outline a number of plausible adaptation or capitalization measures. The Process Leader may decide to prepare examples of measures in advance. Please make sure to cover both technical and organizational/institutional measures in the preparations. A list of measures can be of great help in a workshop involving a lot of new people. You should make sure that time is given to complement that list in order not to miss any important measures. 

For each of these measures, identify and discuss any conflicts of interest, facilitating factors/co-benefits and existing or foreseen barriers. Fill in Table 1. Examples of barriers and facilitation factors are given in the boxes below as inspiration. 

Barriers:
Limited understanding of current and future climate risks, exposures, sensitivity and adaptive capacity; lack of political, policy, legal, design support; lack of access to adaptation technological measures; cost sharing for different adaptation measures; lack of analytical support and budget; social or cultural norms and conflicts; short term versus long term planning horizons, and perceptions of uncertainty of climate risks and impacts.

 

Facilitating factors:
Public awareness, public engagement, financial and political support, and existing policy or management documents or instruments.


5. If it helps, study your list of identified sensitive activities and key actors. Do any new patterns or synergies arise? Discuss and add new ideas to the appropriate sections.

6. When this is complete, fill in Table 2 starting with identified adaptation or capitalization measures. For each measure outline a number of concrete steps that address the challenges or utilize the chances and identify who will do what, when the step will be carried out and write a detailed description of how it will be carried out. The more detail that is given, the greater the chances are that the step will be carried out.

7. Continue through a number of prioritized challenges or chances. Start with the easiest, but also address a number of difficult ones. Concentrate both on measures that can be undertaken in your own organizations and group but also to be accomplished together with other key actors.


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Exercise VI - Responsibilities and relationships of key actors involved in change                       
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