A new report commissioned by the NGO DanChurchAid has found that integrating climate adaptation and development efforts is crucial for achieving sustainable progress, especially in vulnerable communities. The report, which analyzed case studies from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nepal, highlights several key lessons learned.
Firstly, the research shows that flexible funding is essential to enable projects that can contribute to both development goals and climate adaptation. “More flexible funding is needed to enable projects, which can contribute to both development goals and adaptation,” the report states.
Secondly, the report emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation to guard against the risk of maladaptation. Collaboration between local actors, climate experts, and others is vital to ensure adaptation measures are adequate and aligned with scientific climate scenarios.
Thirdly, the research underscores the criticality of local ownership to increase the chances for long-lasting effects. “Localization is essential for sustaining long-lasting effects and should be considered as a key component for sustainable success in adaptation and development projects,” the report notes.
DanChurchAid Secretary-General Jonas Vejsager Nødderkær said, “The findings from our research are clear. It is imperative that development and adaptation go hand in hand. Without this integration, we risk jeopardizing years of development efforts and vulnerable communities will be left worse off.”
The report also provides recommendations for scaling up projects that promote both adaptation and development, including mobilizing more funding, creating enabling political environments, and strengthening links to markets and private investments.
Additionally, the report emphasizes the need to integrate adaptation and development goals in national plans and strategies, as well as in the planning of individual organizations’ country programs and projects.
“Climate change is a global issue, but its impact is worsened in developing countries like ours,” said a project manager from the Rising project in Ethiopia. “The integration of climate adaptation and development projects provides for more effective and sustainable interventions.”
The report underscores the urgent need for governments, investors, and organizations to prioritize the integration of climate adaptation and development efforts to build resilience and secure sustainable progress, especially in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
