Deltas
Water defines and enables human development. Ecosystems and economies depend on water. The impact of climate change will be most acutely expressed through water. Deltas are particularly vulnerable to water-related climate risks.
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Community of Practice webinar: How can floating development help adaptation to climate change.
Case Studies
Lighthouses show where to go – and where to avoid. These “lighthouse” case studies explore best practices in climate adaptation and resilience interventions in delta countries.
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Deltas
Due to their fertile floodplains, easy access to the ocean and inland water transport, most deltas are densely populated. Many deltas are engines for economic growth, and have higher GDP per capita than the economies in which they are located. The Mekong Delta supports a population of 20 million people and approximately a quarter of Vietnam’s GDP.
Without action on adaptation, the projected losses in some delta regions are large enough to stifle entire economies: for example, 9% of GDP per capita in the Volta Delta and 19.5% in Bangladesh. These losses will come from damage to infrastructure, crop production and fishing. The indirect consequences, such as the loss of livelihoods and food security, would be severe.
Key findings
There is an urgent need to improve understanding of what works in delta environments, and share lessons and information across countries for scaling up. Climate adaptation in delta areas is a complex issue best looked at through a systems lens.
In any particular delta, adaptation strategies require an in-depth and scientific understanding and a strong baseline that includes analysis of risk exposure and drivers of change. This in turn requires better, open-access climate data collection.
Climate-change adaptation is a long-term game. Making deltas more climate resilient requires thinking in terms of decades, and creating legal and political frameworks that are conducive to long-term, integrated planning. Frameworks must be agile and flexible enough to change tack when needed.
Communities must be at the center of adaptation planning and action. Vulnerable groups in delta areas face issues that are hard to distinguish from climate impacts. Their meaningful participation must be embedded in approaches that address all their concerns and engage them in co-creating solutions.
Nature-based solutions, combining ‘green’ and ‘gray’ infrastructure, are promising but need urgent scaling. They are often also conducive to achieving multiple objectives, such as creating local jobs in operations and maintenance while building climate resilience.
Deltas need dedicated governance structures organized on water management principles. Deltas often cut across administrative and national boundaries, creating significant governance challenges.
Nonetheless, adaptation in deltas needs an increased level of long-term financing commitments. Financial resources should be targeted to those who need adaptation most, but many low-income countries do not have the necessary resources. Innovative financial instruments are needed, such as climate resilience bonds and debt-for-resilience swaps. Development partnerships should go beyond the typical five-year project cycle.