Project

Adaptation Pathways: Evidence-based Guiding Principles for developing Adaptation Pathways to inform adaptation policy and practice in Africa and Asia

Adaptation pathways are proposed as a promising decision-focused approach for adaptation to climate change. Adaptation pathways sequence measures over time and allow for progressive implementation depending on how the future unfolds. Potentials are to account for future uncertainties, to identify ‘no or low regret’ interventions, to avoid lock-in and mal-adaption, to map different stakeholder perspectives, and to build capacity for long-term planning.

Researchers and adaptation practitioners are responsive to the potential of pathway thinking for adaptation and are experimenting with the development of adaptation pathways in different ways. As yet, there has been no systematic analysis of different approaches to adaptation pathway development. In this project we evaluate the utility of approaches to adaptation pathways applied in different contexts, at different scales, and with different target audiences. In particular we aim to highlight the ways in which adaptation pathways are being used in developing country contexts.

Project Activities:

  1. Design a framework for structured synthesis and learning about adaptation pathway development
  2. Co-develop adaptation pathways in selected cases in Africa and Asia
  3. Initiate a Community of Practice to support project partners, strategic partners and other interested parties

Expected Results and Outcomes:

  • Lessons on the strength and weaknesses of different ways
    to develop adaptation pathways
  • Evidence-based Guiding Principles for adaptation pathway development to inform decision-making for adaptation policy and practice
  • Pocket guide and publication with guiding principles to make use of the strength of adaptation pathways development for the needs of policy and practice