ISBN Number: 9264012753
Publication Date: 17 November 2005
Pages: 154
Number of tables: 9
Number of graphs: 30

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Linking Climate Change and Development

Edited by Shardul Agrawala, Environment Directorate

Climate change poses a serious challenge to social and economic development. How development occurs also has implications for climate change itself and the vulnerability of societies to its impacts. Therefore, we clearly need to place climate change and its impacts into the mainstream of our economic policies, development projects, and international aid efforts. Bridging the gap between the climate change and development communities, however, requires more than a simple dialogue. This is because the two communities have different priorities, often operate on different time and space scales, and do not necessarily speak the same language. Specific information is needed on assessing the significance of climate change for development activities, along with operational guidance on how best to take it into account within the context of other pressing social priorities.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Linking Climate Change and Development is the product of a collaborative effort between the OECD Environment and Development Co-operation directorates on mainstreaming responses to climate change in development planning and assistance. This volume synthesises insights from six country case studies that reviewed climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, analysed relevant national plans and aid investments in terms of their exposure and attention to climate risks, and examined in depth key systems where climate change is closely intertwined with development and natural resource management. These include the Nepal Himalayas, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Nile in Egypt, the Bangladesh Sundarbans, coastal mangroves in Fiji, and agriculture and forestry sectors in Uruguay.

Overall, the volume suggests a rich agenda for research and policy action which should be of considerable interest to donor agencies, sectoral planners and development practioners, as well as climate change experts and policy makers.