“Developing a Framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation(EbA) in Lao PDR and Vietnam”

1. “Developing a Framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation(EbA) in Lao PDR and Vietnam” Raji Dhital,EBA regional project manager, WWF-GMP

2. Ecosystem based adaptation Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. Development Development Nexus Nexus Ecosystem Ecosystem

3. Ecosystem based adaptation Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

4. Rationale for AN OperationAL GUIDANCE • Adaptation to Climate Change increasingly recognized in development agenda in the GMS countries • Planned and likely investments on adaptation ( including investment on infrastructure-such as dykes, channels for water diversion ) could benefit from linkages with the ecosystems • A need for operationalizing the concept of EbA in a locally accessible way • A need for better understanding of the effectiveness of EBA, and include it in policy and planning processes • WB supported study in partnerships with the governments of Laos and Vietnam

5. Project’s goals and objectives Accelerate the adoption of EbA strategies in Laos and Vietnam, and throughout the rest of the GMS. Specific Objectives • Develop and customize operational ‘framework’ for undertaking EbA • Promote EbA strategy through case studies and policy recommendations and analyze its cost-effectiveness • Promote mainstreaming of EBA in policies and planning processes goal!!

6. Guiding principles for the framework

7. Key concepts

8. Framework: Focus on Socio-ecological system

9. Customization and Field testing in Ben Tre (Mekong Delta) and Champasak

10. ExpeRiences from the field • Step 1: Context setting: • Set a social ecological system- • Agriculture, wetland, forest catchments and their dependent communities in and near BeunKiatNong wetland • Coastal stretch in Ben Tre • Boundary determined by administrative boundary- wetland site and • Set a preliminary objective(?) • Adaptation objective vs. project objective • Establish a multi-disciplinary tool • Skillsets needed • Workplan

11. Vulnerability assessment • Assess current and future risks from climate and non climate pressures • Future scenarios to identify future threats

12. PARTICIPATORY Scoring the effects of natural hazards on the ecosystem (-2 - +2)

13. Analyzing future vulnerability • Different ways- • Directly look at vulnerability such as coastal vulnerability using models (Ben Tre) • Requires data, maps, expertise • Create scenarios in a participatory way through stakeholder discussion-based on projected risks (climate and non climate) • Allows to better gauze at percieved threats • Floods more intense and more frequent • Droughts more severe • Affected: Agriculture, NTFP’s etc.

14. Vulnerability Ranking-example

15. Future: Three Scenarios Developed in Ben Tre Business as usual Intense industrial growth Biodiversity conservation Change in Salinity intrusion, Inundation, Settlement near the coastline

16. Coastal Vulnerability- risk index

17. Coastal Vulnerability: Results

18. Model waves and coastal erosion Wind: direction, speed Structural materials coast Tide Wave height distance NATURAL HABITAT (mangrove: species, structure, properties) DEM

19. Example of management actions- land point 1 Current BAU Erosion 5.53 m3, Movement 175.0 m Erosion 12.99 m3, Movement 583.0 m Development Conservation Erosion 22.78 m3, Movement 766.0 m Erosion 0 m3, Movement 0 m

20. Percentage of wave height reduced under different scenario In an average under conservation scenario 92-95%, the wave heights were reduced by and under development scenario by 80-95%. Landpoint 7: Sea dike behind mangrove near the Co Chien river mouth

21. Experiences from Field Future assessments are not easy • Subjectivity and human error in analysis • Involves subjective ranking - limited by who ranks • and/or GIS models- concerns with assumptions and accuracy • Lack of data and maps BUT • Future assessments are just one way to guide actions • Indicative of trend- what, who and where • Adaptation deficit ( why are current challenges not being met) also plays a big role

22. Adjustments in land use to allow for better maintenance of ecosystem services • Management and sustainable use of freshwater resources • Conservation and restoration of natural habitats • Conservation of biodiversity hotspots • Rehabilitation and protection of fisheries resources • Climate smart farming practices • Early Warning System

23. IDENTIFYINg and prioritizing Adaptation options (lao)

24. Multi-criteria analysis • ADAPTATION OPTIONS • Improved Wetland Management (26.32) • Improved Forest Management (25.42) • Raising Awareness of CC impacts (24.86) • Enhanced Agricultural Extension (24.74) • Improved Integrated Socio-economic Development Planning (24.46) • Improved NTFP Management (23.54) • ………. etc. CRITERIA • Effectiveness: Will it achieve each adaptation objective? • Cost: How cost effective will it be? • Feasibility: How realistic will it be to carry out? • Attractiveness: How attractive is it for public and private funding? • Capacity: How well does it fit with current capacity?

25. Cost effectiveness analysis- example in Lao • Effectiveness: Number of years in 10 in which food supply is not disrupted for more than 5 days in any village due to Climate related events. • Involved calculation of effectiveness measure; financial costs; financial cost effectiveness ratio; other economic costs/benefits; total costs, total cost effectiveness ratio TOTAL COST EFFECTIVENESS RATIO: • Agricultural extension: 1 ( economic costs also included costs of degradation of forests and wetlands) • Improved forest management: -592 • Improved wetland management: -1526

26. CEA – example from Vietnam Hard or engineered solution: Construction and upgrade of sea dikes in ThanhPhu, Ba Tri, and BinhĐai district.. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA):Reforestation and conservation of coastal forests with a total forest area of 5.100 ha (existing forest: 3897 ha and planting of new forest: 1.203 ha). Effectiveness: number of people saved from floods Low Risk Scenario: • Average cost per person saved from flood: • Sea dike systems :138.8 Mill VND/person. • Ecosystem based adaptation with coastal forest ecosystems : 1.7 mill VND/person. • High risk scenario • 55%, 17%, and 5% cost saving by using EbA with sea dyke for Ba Tri, Binh Dai and ThanhPhu district- total saving about 11%

27. Lessons to finalize the framework • Simple and practical vs. ideal • Layers of the the ”target-users”- who are sub national policy makers as opposed who actually conduct VA and prepares project? • Adaptation objectives should be determined in consultation with multiple stakeholders after VA. • Difficulties in assessing impacts to ecosystem- actions must be taken despite some uncertainties • Flexibility in scale, data availability

28. Evidence and Lessons for planners • EbA provides nature-based solutions to reduce vulnerability even under high climate risks. • EbA can indeed be cost effective. • EbA provide multiple benefits to communities • EbA can NOT be excluded from overall strategy to address the future risks, even though it may have to be supplemented by other measures. • Mainstream and act at different scales- but ensure local levels are prioritized first.

29. Policy and Planning context