Setting the Scene

It is important to recognize that valuable knowledge on climate change and variability may exist within coffee growing communities. For example, informal discussions and exchanges with farmers and local stakeholders about their perceptions of current climate change can complement scientific knowledge.

This is important, as scientific data may not be available locally, and farmers need to understand the climate-related risks in their area. By getting in touch with farmers and local coffee experts, you also learn about the urgency, and therefore interest, in engaging in climate change adaptation.

However, gathering information alone is not sufficient. Step 1 is also where you begin to explore exactly what climate adaptation will entail in your particular context. Some of the most important decisions are made during this phase, and it can profoundly influence the depth of an assessment and the shape of work that follows. If this process is not examined closely enough, false assumptions might be made, or predetermined paths might be created that will later limit the flexibility of adaptation planning.

At the end of Step 1, you will have had an initial overview of the concepts and terminology relating to climate change and climate variability. You will have a basic understanding of how the climate is currently changing in your region, and how it is expected to change in the future.

Furthermore, you will have gained an initial insight into perceptions and experiences around climate change impacts in a site-specific coffee region, and therefore have an understanding of what climate change means for your specific context.

Based on this information, you can begin to decide how important climate adaptation actions might be. You might also begin to consider the role you or your organization could play in carrying out these activities.

By the end of this step, you should be able to answer the following questions:

• What are likely to be the main challenges? Keep in mind that you will not be able to help all farmers adapt to all changes everywhere.
• Where will you focus your efforts? You cannot scale up immediately.
• With whom are you going to work? To implement the c&c approach, you need a dedicated team and good collaboration between relevant stakeholders.