Adaptation to climate change in Latin America and the role played by forests
The department is investigating the issue of adaption with reference to the cross-sectoral aspect of technology transfer. Until now this aspect has been discussed in international negotiations primarily with a view to emission reductions, while the transfer of adaptive technologies has, despite the urgent need for appropriate measures, played a more or less peripheral role, precisely for poorer developing countries and regions. This applies equally for the ‘hard’ transfer, e.g. of irrigation equipment or cereal cultivars, and for the ‘soft’ transfer, e.g. of know-how for risk and disaster management.
Project description
The study looks into this institutional deficit as a multi-level problem, focusing on the regional, national, and local level in Latin America. It at the same time it analyses this world region’s need for adaptive technologies. Based on a comparison of the institutional status quo and actual technology needs, the study develops policy recommendations for more effective institutional approaches.
A second subject of investigation is the importance of forests for climate protection in Latin America. As an environmental resource, forests fulfil several functions related to climate change and adaptation to it, and the issue may be seen as the point of intersection between “mitigation” and “adaptation.” As far as “mitigation” is concerned, deforestation is responsible for some 20% of all anthropogenic C02 emissions; and as regards “adaptation,” deforestation can further aggravate the negative impacts of climate change, including e.g. increased warming and soil degradation. When it comes to deforestation control, Latin America, with its wealth of forest resources, has a very important role to play. The study identifies national and subnational challenges associated with this issue complex in selected countries and regions of Latin America and develops recommendations on issues bound up with financing and institutional design.