Global Adaptation Network |
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Adaptation Futures 2023: Registration is open! – From 2-6 October 2023, over 1,500 members of the climate change adaptation community from more than 80 countries will gather in Montreal to share their cutting-edge knowledge and to contribute to the global momentum for adaptation. With 180 sessions, the 7th edition of the Adaptation Futures international conference will cover several key areas of adaptation research, planning and action. Register by June 30th to take advantage of early bird tickets.
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Google's AI-enabled flood forecasting goes global – Google has expanded its AI-enabled flood forecasting platform, Flood Hub, to 60 countries. Launched in 2021, Flood Hub uses AI to analyze data from various sources, offering up to seven days' notice for incoming riverine floods. Yossi Matias, VP of engineering & research at Google, highlighted that the models are still improving with more data and can now forecast floods at scale with increased accuracy.
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WFP and UNEP bolster global food and water security - The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNEP have signed an agreement to address the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and environmental degradation on the food and water security of millions of people around the world. The agreement advances collaboration on climate change adaptation, nature-friendly food systems, water resource management and ecosystems restoration.
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2023 EPIC-Network Conference – The EPIC-Network will host a conference and workshop for university representatives, local government officials, and organizational partners interested in adopting, adapting, and/or enhancing the EPIC Model for their institutions and communities. The free 2023 EPIC-Network Conference will be hosted virtually on June 12-14, 2023. You can view the conference agenda and register here.
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Seven Lessons on Using Ecosystem Restoration for Climate Change Adaptation - In recent years, there has been an increase in attention towards the interlinkages between the climate and biodiversity crises. This policy brief examines a range of examples where restoration has led to increased climate resilience, including seven lessons types of lessons learned on the topic. The publication was prepared for the Global EbA Fund, an exciting opportunity to promote innovative approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation.
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Blog: The Expert Voice On Nature-based Solutions – In this blog, the UNEP-WCMC spoke to three leading sector experts about their experience with nature-based solutions, the projects that have inspired them, and their views on the key opportunities and challenges for scaling up such solutions. UNEP is now preparing to launch a series of global and regional consultation sessions - across the public and private sectors, research and civil society - to firm up the global NbS agenda.
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Global EbA Fund - The first year of implementation of the Global EbA Fund’s first cohort of grantees is wrapping up, and the projects are beginning to show results, whether it’s WWF Mexico’s work in enhancing the climate change knowledge of local cattle ranchers, or WRI’s engagement with key stakeholders in Colombia and Costa Rica to create a steering committee to exchange best practices and lessons in establishing national EbA programmes. Learn more about the first cohort of grantees here.
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Restore: Films From The Frontiers Of Hope - We are experiencing a dangerous decline in nature. But there are glimmers of hope: watch this documentary series to explore ten places where nature is making a comeback. These are the first ten UN World Restoration Flagships – examples of how humanity can achieve the goals of the new Global Biodiversity Framework. Episodes cover themes such as the Great Green Wall in Africa and the drive to restore the Central American Dry Corridor.
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Reporting on climate adaptation is a mess – here’s how to fix it - According to an article in Climate Change News, “information about projects to help adapt to climate change is scattered, hard-to-find and incomplete, making keeping track of them impossible.” The article goes on to suggest 4 ways in which this challenge can be overcome, including the creation of a global adaptation database and investing in rigorous adaptation evaluations.
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News from the Regions
AFRICA
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South Sudan adapts to climate change by restoring its ecosystems – The Government of South Sudan has launched a major USD 9 million-initiative to help communities adapt to climate change by strengthening climate early warning systems and restoring the country’s precious ecosystems in 2 of the 10 states. This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, represents the largest ever ecosystem-based adaptation project in South Sudan.
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Project factsheet: Ecosystem-based adaptation in Zambia 2021-2025 - A UNEP project is aiming to improve the resilience of local communities living near wetlands and forests in Zambia by strengthening their capacity – as well as that of local and national governments – to implement ecosystem-based adaptation interventions. The project is taking place in 2 major wetlands of the country, which provide a range of ecosystem services that support the climate resilience of rural communities.
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NDC Action: Insurance products for Ugandan farmers – Under the NDC Action project, a small grant was recently awarded to an initiative in Uganda to develop an insurance product for smallholder banana farmers. The grant was awarded by the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator. The NDC Action Project incentivises action and increases ambition on climate change. Learn more about the fund here and the NDC Action project here.
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Speech: The Great Green Wall is the wall we need – Delivered at a Ministerial Meeting of the Great Green Wall on 30 March, a speech by UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the importance of the African-led Great Green Wall, which is a major large-scale attempt to hold back desertification in the Sahel region through the restoration of ecosystems. "The international community must throw even more of its weight behind this movement", said Andersen. Learn more about the Great Green Wall initiative here.
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News from the Regions
ASIA PACIFIC
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8th APAN Forum registration and call for proposals - The 8th APAN Forum will take place in-person on 30 August – 1 September 2023 during the Korea Global Adaptation Week. Hosted by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Environment Institute and the Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change, the Forum will focus on the resilience of food systems, ecosystems, communities, and cities and infrastructure. The Forum registration and call for proposals are now open!
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Endorsed: Ecosystem-based adaptation in Timor-Leste wetlands – A new UNEP project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, received official endorsement in May. The project aims to increase climate resilience and to reduce land degradation in priority watersheds by strengthening collaborative sustainable land management and implementing ecosystem-based adaptation practices. The project will benefit approximately 68,000 people and restore over 70,000 hectares of watersheds.
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Asia climate woes mount as heat shatters May records – Asia is facing record-breaking heatwaves, increasing worries about climate change adaptation. After extreme heatwaves in April, temperatures spiked again in May, traditionally the start of the cooler monsoon season. Several Southeast Asian nations have now recorded seasonal highs. In Vietnam specifically, with temperatures expected to remain high into June, authorities have started rationing electricity.
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Vacancy: Adaptation Action Plan in Lao PDR – WWF Laos are currently looking for an international consultant to lead the development of a Multi-sectoral Adaptation Action Plan for the Siphandone Wetland, with a large focus on mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation in local policies. The candidate should understand the landscape of Laos policies and have knowledge of global and regional policy landscapes. Deadline for applications is 11 June.
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News from the Regions
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
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Panama to develop National Adaptation Plan for climate change - The Government of Panama has launched a new $3 million-dollar project to increase the climate resilience of the country through the development and implementation of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The project, known shorthand as NAP Panama, will strengthen the governance and institutional coordination needed to accelerate adaptation action.
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Regional Webinar: The Global Goal on Adaptation - The first webinar of the series Road to COP28 was held on the 27 of April. The event focused on the Ambition and Realities of the Global Goal on Adaptation. The event fostered a multi-actor dialogue, in which negotiators, practitioners, local governments and the private sector discussed the state of play and the proposals to achieve an inclusive and feasible framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation in 2023. Recording available in Spanish and English.
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Podcast: Keeping History Above Water in Trinidad & Tobago – A new episode of the America Adapts podcast looks at the Keeping History Above Water Conference, which brought together international speakers and experts to discuss the challenges faced by island communities in the face of climate change, with the goal of advancing the resilience and long-term preservation of Trinidad and Tobago's historic sites and cultural resources.
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CityAdapt Newsletter - UNEP is currently supporting more than 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to build more resilient cities. Get updates on the latest news on urban ecosystems-based adaptation, events, and initiatives through the CityAdapt Newsletter. This April edition covers a range of resources, publications, and opportunities to access funds to promote ecosystem-based adaptation in cities.
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August 30 - September 1
8th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation (APAN) Forum
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