Define scope and set objectives

Abstract

Many organizations spend very little time on scoping. They see adaptation as a technical issue that can be tackled on a project level as a distinct task to be done either in-house or by external consultants.

Method

Coordination meetings with local authorities, businesses, interest groups and associations

Expected Results

Clarification of potential roles and contributions of community stakeholders in climate change action

Theory

Unfortunately, this approach is often insufficient. Although the assessment of impacts is a fairly objective process, decisions about adaptation still need to be based on policy setting for ‘desired outcomes’ (what are we adapting for?) in addition to ‘objective’ threats and opportunities (what are we adapting to?). Many parts of the process are subjective. You will be required to consider what matters to you and to the farmers you work with, and to prioritize actions.

Throughout Steps 1 to 3, it will be important to develop and refine your objectives. Stakeholders (especially smallholder farmers) will play a key role in this process. Decision-making for adaptation is a process based on values, making it essential to have all assumptions acknowledged, understood and recorded. There are directions on how to do this in Step 3.

When beginning to set your adaptation objectives, consider the following:

Why does climate adaptation matter in your context?
What are you hoping to achieve by adapting?
Who will benefit from this process?
Will anyone be adversely affected by your adaptation objectives?

Coordination with other stakeholders (authorities, businesses, interest groups and associations, etc.) in the region is important. Inform them about the process and its objectives, and assess the potential of their involvement.

See “Guidance: Principles of good adaptation” for helpful insights into scoping and designing your objectives and further activities.

Work in partnership. Identify and engage your community and ensure they are well informed.
Address risks associated with today’s climate change as a starting point for actions taken in anticipation of risks and opportunities associated with longer-term climate change.
Use adaptive management to cope with uncertainty and recognize the value of a phased approach to cope with uncertainty.
Recognize the value of no/low regrets and win-win adaptation options (options that yield additional benefits or yield benefits even in the absence of a climate impact) in terms of cost-effectiveness and multiple benefits.
Avoid actions that limit future adaptations or restrict adaptive actions of others.
Continuously review the improvement approach that also includes monitoring and re-evaluations of risks.

Theory

When beginning to set your adaptation objectives, consider the following:

Why does climate adaptation matter in your context?
What are you hoping to achieve by adapting?
Who will benefit from this process?
Will anyone be adversely affected by your adaptation objectives?

See “Guidance: Principles of good adaptation” for helpful insights into scoping and designing your objectives and further activities.

Work in partnership. Identify and engage your community and ensure they are well informed.

Address risks associated with today’s climate change as a starting point for actions taken in anticipation of risks and opportunities associated with longer-term climate change.

Use adaptive management to cope with uncertainty and recognize the value of a phased approach to cope with uncertainty.

Recognize the value of no/low regrets and win-win adaptation options (options that yield additional benefits or yield benefits even in the absence of a climate impact) in terms of cost-effectiveness and multiple benefits.

Avoid actions that limit future adaptations or restrict adaptive actions of others.

Continuously review the improvement approach that also includes monitoring and re-evaluations of risks.