5 step approach

Available Tools

The c&c approach is a five-step process that enables coffee farmers to effectively respond to climate change by a systematic risk assessment, as well as the identification and implementation of suitable adaptation options.

Step 1:

Setting the scene

Setting the scene allows for a quick look at how important climate change is in the given working context.

Step 2:

Assessment of climate change challenges

Assessment of climate change challenges creates an understanding of the impacts of climate change on coffee production and the livelihoods of producers, and identifies suitable adaptation options to respond effectively

Step 3:

Adaptation planning

Adaptation planning prioritizes adaptation options for a specific context and structures their implementation process

Step 4:

Validation and implementation of adaptation options

Validation and implementation of adaptation options offers different methods to facilitate implementation work and stresses the importance of validating or testing the selected adaptation practices on a small scale, before dissemination takes place.

Step 5:

Lessons learned and understanding progress

Lessons learned and understanding progress looks at the implemented process in phases of monitoring, evaluation and learning. This is critical to the cyclical process, as it provides the lessons and evidence on which to base future adaptation approaches. In addition, the climate is continuously changing, which means adaptation efforts need to be continuously revised.

Main characteristics of the c&c approach in summary

Cyclical and step-by-step approach: The c&c approach consists of five steps, which build upon one another and allow for a systematic implementation process.
Location-specific: There is no one-size-fits-all solution for climate change adaptation in the coffee sector. Hence, the c&c approach supports the identification of solutions that are suitable for local conditions (social, environmental and economic) and the specific coffee producing area.
Participatory: The c&c approach engages stakeholders and farming households in the identification of local problems and potential solutions, and supports the establishment of local climate change adaptation stakeholder groups. uu Practical: Hands-on and applicable tools and training materials are compiled in the c&c toolbox.
Complementary: The c&c approach is suitable as an add-on to training or to complement existing adaptation and capacity building programs
Science-based and farm-oriented: The c&c approach combines climate change science with proven farming methods and local expertise to reach the best possible solution. It encourages genuine cooperation between researchers and farmers in the field in order to get the most practical results.
Learning network: The c&c approach seeks to establish a network (local, regional and potentially global) that actively exchanges information, lessons learned and experiences on work in climate change adaptation to upgrade sector knowledge.

Themes

Stakeholder sensitization and participation: The c&c approach is implemented through a shared effort from local and regional coffee stakeholders. Their participation is crucial, especially for steps 2 to 5, when climate impacts are identified, adaptation options are formulated and progress is assessed. Engaging local stakeholders not only offers support in the implementation of adaptation options, but also supports the sensitization of these actors on the topic of climate change, creating awareness for the need to take action.

Process and impact monitoring: Monitoring activities form a crucial part of steps 3 to 5, and are necessary in understanding the influence of the decided actions on coffee production and the livelihoods of producers in the long run. Additionally, monitoring serves to generate lessons learned for future work on climate change adaptation.

The c&c toolbox is the centerpiece of the c&c approach. It serves as an extensive collection of material, knowledge and experience that is available to sector participants worldwide. It provides guidance on the implementation of the c&c approach’s five steps, and is a resource for extensionists and others who support farmers in using the c&c approach to adapt to climate change.

The c&c toolbox

The c&c toolbox has been designed to complement the c&c approach, providing users with access to selected scientific climate change information and studies, examples of specific transferable adaptation options, case studies, a cost benefit tool, as well as training materials and other didactic material to implement the five steps of the c&c approach.

The c&c toolbox is a living platform with regular updates and newly developed adaptation options. It is an online portal, but there is also information available at info points in different coffee producing countries such as Brazil, Guatemala, Tanzania and . All those participating in the c&c network are encouraged to contribute to the toolbox and share experiences while at the same time benefitting from the contribution of peers to c&c’s global knowledge hub.

The c&c toolbox offers:
Background information on climate change, e.g. climate change impacts on coffee production or scientific studies on future suitability of certain coffee growing zones (climate maps, meteorological mapping).
Short descriptions of selected adaptation options to be found under c&c tools by using the toolbox wizard, a search engine with categories of climatic hazards threatening coffee production, the country and coffee variety for which an adaptation option is envisioned, and the main purpose and type of the adaptation option. Experiences in the implementation of specific adaptation measures can also be found in the toolbox.
Materials for each of the five steps of the c&c approach, e.g. guidance on the triangulation methodology or training material to sensitize farming households to climate change issues, and workshop formats to involve stakeholders.

The toolbox includes different types of tools to support the implementation of the five steps (see also Figure 4).

The c&c toolbox is publicly available and can be accessed through its online platform:

toolbox.coffeeandclimate.org