Adapting to the impacts of climate change - Policy Perspectives, 4 November 2015

Our climate is chaning and this will affect every sector of the global economy, in both developed and developing economies. Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions need to be complemented with adpatation policies. By preparing for a changing climate, policy makers can better protect communities, businesses and natural assets. The OECD is working with countries to put in place the right policies in orderto assess and prepare for climate change. This brochure provides the key lessons learnt as countries move from planning to implementing adaptation. It includes challenges and recommendations for climate adaptation, with a focus on OECD member countries.

Climate Change Risks and Adaptation - Linking Policy and Economics, 7 July 2015

Climate change is giving rise to diverse risks, ranging from changing incidences of tropical diseases to increased risks of drought, varying widely in their potential severity, frequency and predictability. Governments must integrate the management of these climate risks into policy making if they are to successfully adapt to a changing climate. Economic analysis has a vital role to play in supporting these efforts, by identifying costs and benefits and supporting decision-making for an uncertain future. However, this analysis needs to be adapted to the institutions, policies and climate risks in a given country. Building on the experience of OECD countries, this report sets out how the latest economic evidence and tools can enable better policy making for adaptation.

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Developing countries are increasingly moving towards more strategic national policies and plans, the effectiveness of which will depend upon proper assessment of a given country’s vulnerability to climate change. This report draws upon emerging monitoring and evaluation practices across developed and developing countries to identify four tools that countries can draw upon in their own assessment frameworks:

1) climate change risk and vulnerability assessments
2) indicators to monitor progress on adaptation priorities
3) project and programme evaluations to identify effective adaptation approaches, and
4) national audits and climate expenditure reviews.

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Climate Resilience in Development Planning: Experiences in Colombia and Ethiopia, April 2014

Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Improving climate resilience is an essential part of countries’ efforts to reduce poverty and meet their development objectives. How can this be achieved? This report shows the practical steps that countries are taking to address climate variability and prepare for future changes. It identifies the key elements required to integrate climate resilience into national development planning. This report explores the experience of two countries in more detail: Colombia and Ethiopia.

• Wake up and save the coffee: Making development climate-resilient, OECD Insight Blog.

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Water and Climate Change Adaptation - Policies to Navigate Uncharted Waters, September 2013

This publication provides guidance to policy makers to prioritise action and to improve the efficiency, timeliness and equity of adaptation decisions. It sets out a risk-based approach to achieve resilient water security in a changing climate. It also documents key trends and highlights best practice from the OECD Survey of Policies on Water and Climate Change Adaptation, which covers all 34 OECD countries and the European Commission. Finally the report examines options to improve the flexibility of water governance, policy and financing approaches. The main message from this report are available in the related Policy Perspectives: Water and Climate change Adaptation: An OECD Perspective.

Water and Climate Change Adaptation: An OECD Perspective, September 2013

Climate change is affecting all aspects of the water cycle. Water is the main way through which the impacts of climate change will be felt. Projections suggest that more torrential rains, floods and droghts can be expected in many areas. Changing precipitation patterns are shifting rainy seasons and affecting the timing and quanity of melt water from snow pack and glaciers. Impacts on water quality can the expected. Freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide are especially vulnerable. The report Water and Climate Change Adaptation - Policies to Navigate Uncharted Waters provide guidance to policy makers on how they can prioritise actions and improve the efficiency, timeless and equity of adaptation decisions.