A) Priority Setting Workshop:
As part of the implementation of the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI), UNFCCC/NWP and UN Environment organized a priority-setting workshop for the Indian Ocean islands subregion from 20-22 October, 2016 in Sri Lanka with the support of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The event was organized in parallel with the workshop for the Hindu Kush Himalayan subregion and back to back with the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network forum.
A multidisciplinary stakeholder group of core experts discussed the priority adaptation knowledge gaps for the subregion through a multi-criteria analysis approach and agreed to generate two lists to better account for the geographical diversity of the subregion. A list of 10 gaps was thus agreed upon for the larger island countries (i.e. Madagascar and Sri Lanka) and another 10 gaps were identified for the smaller island countries (i.e. Comoros, Maldives and Seychelles). Participants also provided a preliminary list of potential response actions, noting concrete deliverables and target beneficiaries, and provided advice as to the best-placed organisations to undertake such responses.
The top 12 gaps for the subregion are detailed below including 6 for the large island and 6 for the small islands. To view the fuller list, please see the workshop report.
B) Priority Adapatation Knowledge Gaps and Actions Undertaken to Close the Priority Knowledge Gaps
The tables below capture prioritized knowledge gaps and highlight illustrative response actions where available. Where actions are not listed, the gap remains an open priority area for further matchmaking, knowledge mobilization, and partnership development.
Table: LARGE ISLANDS (Madagascar and Sri Lanka) Priority Adaptation Knowledge Gaps and Actions Undertaken to Close the Priority Knowledge Gaps:
| No. |
Thematic area |
Gap Description |
Cluster |
Knowledge user |
Actions Undertaken to Close the Priority Gaps |
| 1) |
Agriculture/fisheries |
Insufficient information on water-conserving irrigation practices and other water management techniques |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Agricultural planners, extension officials, small-scale farmers (gender), water/irrigation management practitioners |
|
| 2) |
Agriculture/fisheries |
Insufficient information on crop and agricultural diversification |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Farmers, extension people, planners |
|
| 3) |
Agriculture/fisheries |
Insufficient information on climate-smart crop varieties |
Lack of data, lack of access, lack of actionable knowledge (e.g., in need of repackaging existing knowledge) [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials), farmers and agro-based industries, non-governmental organizations |
|
| 4) |
Water |
Insufficient information on climatic parameters at the sub-basin/ catchment/ subnational level |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials) |
|
| 5) |
Water |
Insufficient information on water storage capacity and status (e.g. reservoirs, tanks) |
Lack of data [1] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials), non-governmental organizations |
|
| 6) |
Agriculture/fisheries |
Insufficient information on cropping calendars that precisely integrate the impacts of climate change |
Lack of data, lack of access, lack of actionable knowledge (e.g., in need of repackaging existing knowledge) [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials), farmers and agro-based industries, non-governmental organizations |
|
Table: SMALL ISLANDS (Comoros, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles) Priority Adaptation Knowledge Gaps and Actions Undertaken to Close the Priority Knowledge Gaps
| No. |
Thematic area |
Gap Description |
Cluster |
Knowledge user |
Response Actions |
| 1) |
Coastal areas |
Insufficient information on the impacts of storm surges and other extreme events on coastal areas, including erosion and impacts on infrastructure, and drinking water supply |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials) from various ministries/ departments, tourism industry, non-governmental organizations, coastal communities |
|
| 2) |
Agriculture/fisheries |
Insufficient knowledge on how climate change affects coastal/marine fish migration |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Fisheries industries, fisheries sector officials |
|
| 3) |
Coastal areas |
Insufficient information on the impacts of sea level rise on coastal areas, including erosion and impacts on infrastructure, and drinking water supply |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials) from various ministries/ departments, tourism industry, non-governmental organizations, coastal communities |
The graduate students of the University of Michigan (School of Environment and Sustainability), a NWP partner, developed five future climate scenarios for Seychelles and used them to build a Climate Scenario Planning Toolkit to aid decision- makers plan for a variety of plausible futures. More information: Full Report, Summary for Policy-makers, Interactive GIS Maps and a story map.
The capstone project was undertaken in two phases. The first phase was undertaken by four students in 2018-2019, and the second phase by three students in 2019-2020. Case study on the AKP is available here.
|
| 4) |
Coastal areas |
Insufficient information on the impacts of climate change on coral reefs, including coral bleaching |
Lack of data, lack of access, lack of actionable knowledge (e.g., in need of repackaging existing knowledge) [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials), environmental non-governmental organizations, fishers, fisheries associations |
|
| 5) |
Water |
Insufficient information on climatic parameters at the sub-basin/ catchment/ subnational level |
Lack of data, lack of access [Mix] |
Policymakers (local planners, government officials) |
|
| 6) |
Energy |
Insufficient information on the impacts of climate change on energy demand |
Lack of data [1] |
Energy suppliers, policymakers/government, non-governmental organizations |
|
