Project

Climate change adaptation of agriculture in deltas

The project concentrates on the development of adaptation strategies that are based on plausible and relevant climate scenarios and their possible impacts on agriculture, aquaculture and nature of the Ganges Brahmaputra, the Mekong River delta and the Nile delta.

Goal

Climate changes are recognised as a global issue which includes:

  • increases in temperature,
  • changes in rainfall patterns
  • sea level rise
  • salt-water intrusion and a higher probability of extreme weather events such as:
    • high intensity rainfall induced floods
    • drought and typhoon driven storm surges

The negative effects of these changes are likely to be felt more strongly in the less developed world compared to developed countries, as a large share of the population live in exposed areas where they depend directly on natural resources for their livelihood and have limited institutional capacities to take proactive measures.

There is much to learn from rural people in these deltas who always have lived with floods, droughts, typhoons, and have developed many adaptation strategies to deal with such risks over the centuries. However, global climate change is likely to change these risks and result in more frequent and severe impacts and challenge the adaptive capacity of rural households and communities. Preparing for such changes and taking proactive measures, may require a dramatic increase in the capability to respond to these changes at different levels ranging from individual households to the community and national government.

The project will deliver capacity building for setting up a science based policy process, and stimulate knowledge sharing with a strong orientation towards implementation of adaptation policies.

Results

The project targets the conversion of generic climate change impact assessments and scenarios into localized hydrological impact assessments and adaptation opportunities within production and conservation practices.

Together with local actors the project will develop a knowledge framework, identify adaptation techniques, elaborate tailored training packages, and create climate change adaptation plans. Acquired practical knowledge will be delivered to various stakeholders who play a role in decision making as well as in research, design, and implementation of climate change adaptation strategies, and contribute to the curricula of  professional and higher education of the participating Vietnamese, Bangladeshi and Egyptian partners.

Publications