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CASE STUDIES: Goals-oriented lens

This page contains links to case studies used in ORCHID, CRiSTAL and NAIADE.
Multiple Authors

Here are some case studies on several of the methods that are part of the Mediation Adaptation Pathfinder and the European 7th Framework Programme project Mediation (Methodology for Effective Decision-making on Impacts and AdaptaTION).

Awareness raising

ORCHID: Mainstreaming Adaptation In Development Investments In the Water Sector In China

Summary:

ORCHID is designed to be a light touch screening process for donors, development organisations and their partners to integrate risk reduction and adaptation processes into their programmes. The tool identifies a range of adaptation options for tackling unmanaged risks and exploiting opportunities for strengthening adaptive capacity. This research project developed a framework to assist with the assessment of climate change impacts and integration of adaptation in into development projects. A crucial role of this research project was to strengthen capacity and raise awareness by sensitizing experts to the systematic management of climate change impacts through adaptation. Although the framework was applied post hoc rather than as an integral part of the design process, it is assessed to be a clear framework for prioritization, impacts analysis, examination of adaptation effectiveness and decision-making, and serves as a means to promote debate over how development investments in China in the water sector can integrate management of climate change impacts in the future.

More information: Download case study here

Developing programmes, projects, and policies for implementing strategies

CRiSTAL: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment In Zambia

Summary:

CRiSTAL is a decision-support tool intended to enable project planners and mangers to assess and enhance a project’s impact on community-level adaptive capacity.

The tool includes two modules:

(1) Synthesizing information on climate and livelihoods;

(2) Planning and managing projects for adaptation.

The vulnerability assessment was undertaken in four ongoing field projects in Zambia, using CRiSTAL, with the purpose to:

  • (1) Get an indication of the risks related to climate change at the local level;
  • (2) Introduce managers and implementing team to an easy to use tool to assess climate related risks in their project areas and provide a framework to adjust project activities so they do not have a negative impact on local coping strategies under climate pressure; and
  • (3) Provide complementary information on climate hazards and on existing coping strategies at the local level for decision makers and other actors involved.

Four climate hazards (drought, floods, extreme heat, and a shorter rainy season) were identified as having a major influence on people’s livelihoods, impacting mainly agricultural production, quality and availability of water, and human and animal health. Some coping strategies were identified, and suggestions for improving CRiSTAL were made.

More information: Download case study here

Operationalizing adaptive management strategies

SMCE/NAIADE: Evaluating The Effects Of The Alumysa Project In The Aysén Region In Chile

Summary:

The 1994 Chilean Environmental Law Act was launched to create an institutional framework to rule in environmental terms the introduction or development of public and private investment projects or activities. The law sets the Environmental Impact Assessment System (EIAS), within which, in order to get government approval, a project or an activity is compelled to submit an Environmental Impact Study (EISt). In 2001, the Canadian Mining Company Noranda submitted an EISt of an aluminium smelter plant project in Chacabuco bay, the main maritime entry of the Aysén region, and the regional operation centre for aquaculture industry. Starting a two years EIAS embedded in an intense environmental conflict. This case shows the shortfalls of an EIAS, and how it could be complemented by the implementation SMCE, which aimes to:

  • * Make an integrated evaluation of the possible impacts of political decisions;
  • * And consider the socio-economic, ecological, cultural, political and technical dimensions simultaneously.

More information: Download case study here

Review of Adaptation Decision Tools

Introduction: Reviewing of adaptation decision tools

Reviewing tools that use a bottom-up approach & recommendations

BACLIAT

SMCE/NAIADE

UKCIP Adaptation Wizard

PACT

ESPACE

CRiSTAL

ORCHID

ADAM

Conditions of Applicability

Goals

Sectors

Analytical scope

Case Studies

Goals-oriented lens

Sector-oriented lens

Analytical scope lens

Related resources

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